Game Notes: Army Travels to Georgia State

Setting the Scene
• The Black Knights close out a two-game road trip with a matchup against the Georgia State Panthers on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET from Georgia State Stadium, previously Turner Field, the former home of the Atlanta Braves.
• Army is coming off a 17-8 setback to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. It marked the first time since 2017 that the Black Knights have suffered back-to-back losses (9/16 at Ohio State, 9/23 at Tulane).
• Saturday's contest will air live on ESPN Plus with Matt Stewart and Wayne Gandy on the call. The game can also be heard on the Army Sports Network through the TuneIn app or goarmywestpoint.com.

The Opening Kickoff
• Army's defense has 12 takeaways (T-19th nationally) through its first six games this season, which includes eight fumble recoveries (T-5th).
• On top of the 12 takeaways, West Point is 17th nationally in passing defense (179.0), 32nd in scoring defense (20.7), 38th in first downs allowed (112) and 39th in total defense (340.2).
• Senior linebacker Cole Christiansen, one of two captains on defense, is tied for eighth nationally in solo tackles (38), tied for 12th in total tackles (62), and is tied for 15th in forced fumbles (2).
• He recorded 13 tackles (7 solo) at Western Kentucky, matching his career-high, to go along with a half-sack. He now has career double-digit tackle games and three consecutive.
• Senior defensive back Elijah Riley has had a hand in four takeaways this season (three forced fumbles and an interception). His three forced fumbles are fourth nationally.
• On top of the takeaways, Riley is in the top 50 nationally in sacks (4, T-44th) and solo tackles (30, T-46th).
• At Western Kentucky, he notched 11 tackles (8 solo), his second career double-digit tackle game, while notching a sack, and breaking up two passes, which matched a career-high.
• Army's offense is third in the country in yards-per-completion (19.7), 10th in rushing (250.7), and 16th in fourth down conversions (.786).
• Senior quarterback Kelvin Hopkins Jr. is tied for 40th nationally with five rushing scores.
• West Point's punting game has been strong as of late. The Black Knights are 25th in the nation in net punting (41.1) and 36th punt return defense (4.6).
• Senior punter Zach Potter downed a punt inside the one-yard line at WKU and now has six punts that have landed inside the 20 this season, including four that have dropped inside the 10.

Army-Georgia state History
• This will be the first ever matchup between Army and Georgia State.
• Head coach Jeff Monken has some familiarity with the Peach State. From 2010-13, he was the head coach at Goergia Southern, where he compiled a 36-16 record.
• Monken led Georgia Southern to three consecutive FCS semifinal appearances (2010-12) and in 2013, the Eagles posted a winning season in their first year in the FBS.
• He was also the slotbacks/special teams coordinator at Georgia Tech (2008-09) and slotbacks coach at Georgia Southern (1997-01).

Army West Point Athletics

Game Notes: Army Travels to Georgia State

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Players Mentioned

Cole Christiansen

Kelvin Hopkins Jr.

Zach Potter

Elijah Riley

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