Army West Point Athletics
Army West Point
4-1 , 3-0
Saint Thomas Aquinas
1-5 , 0-3
Sprint Football Dominates STAC, 42-0 on Senior Knight
October 22, 2021 | Sprint Football
The Army defense turned in an incredible performance on the final home game fo the season, recording five sacks, two interceptions and 11 tackles-for-a-loss all while holding STAC to only 157 total yards and 2.7 yards per play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Army rebounded from a slow start at the start of the contest behind the play of quarterback JC Watson, who connected with Donovan Mannion for a 23-yard touchdown pass on the Black Knights' third drive of the game to secure a 7-0 lead that they would not surrender. STAC began a long drive on their ensuing possession, but the Army special teams group stepped up to block a 40-yard field goal attempt and put the ball back in the hands of the offense. Bryheem Swanson came away with the block, his second of the season.
Watson and Mannion were not done yet, as they connected on back-to-back plays for 15 and 10 yards to open up the drive. Landry Songer broke free for a 20-yard trot on the next play before Watson an Mannion connected again for a touchdown strike, this time from 32-yards out.
The defensive line swallowed up the STAC rushers, and forced a three and out on the following drive after the defensive line stepped up to sack the STAC QB. Alex Sobeski came away with the tackle to give Army the ball back. Army capped off the following 13-play, 60-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run from Jeremiah Garret. Ben Abercrombie kicked home the extra point to give Army a 21-0 advantage at the half.
Sammy Whipple continued the scoring run for the Cadets, picking off the STAC QB and returning it 61 yards to the house.
JC Watson and Donovan Mannion connected once again on the next Army possession to boost the lead to 35-0. The final touchdown was a Scott Belveal 2-yard score to bring the lead to 42-0.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Army out-gained STAC 386 - 159 in the win
- JC Watson went 10-for-16m throwing for 176 yards and three touchdowns
- Donovan Mannion was the recipient of all three touchdowns, and finished with seven catches for 155 yards
- Landry Songer was the leading rusher for Army, getting seven attempts and totaling 59 yards
- James Bieler sacked the STAC QB two times for a loss of 14 yards
- Sammy Whipple returned an interception 61-yards for a touchdown
- Caleb Self was the leading tackler for Army, making five solo stops
- Alex Sobeski chipped in with two tackles for a loss and a sack of his own
- Ryan Rast also got in on the action with two TFLs and a sack
- Ben Abercrombie went 6-for-6 on extra point attempts
Thoughts from Coach West after the big win #GoArmy pic.twitter.com/8pIvvgAMoO
— Army Sprint FB (@ArmyWP_SprintFB) October 23, 2021
JAMES BIELER POST GAME QUOTE
Firsite James Bieler and the Army D-Line react after sacking the STAC QB five times and allowing only 29 yards on the ground #GoArmy pic.twitter.com/yLGBq9Xf8B
— Army Sprint FB (@ArmyWP_SprintFB) October 23, 2021
JC WATSON REFLECTION
Quarterback JC Watson talks about the win and what the Sprint Football team has meant to him after the Senior Knight victory #GoArmy pic.twitter.com/nRvua7Tk79
— Army Sprint FB (@ArmyWP_SprintFB) October 23, 2021
UP NEXT
Army hits the road for a matchup with Caldwell down in N.J. next Friday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 PM.
Team Stats
STAC 0, ARMY 7
ARMY - Donovan Mannion 23 yd pass from JC Watson (Abercrombie,Ben kick) 4 plays, 39 yards, TOP 1:54
STAC 0, ARMY 14
ARMY - Donovan Mannion 32 yd pass from JC Watson (Abercrombie,Ben kick) 4 plays, 77 yards, TOP 1:28
STAC 0, ARMY 21
ARMY - Jeremiah Garret 4 yd run (Abercrombie,Ben kick), 13 plays, 60 yards, TOP 5:20
STAC 0, ARMY 28
ARMY - Sammy Whipple 61 yd interception (Abercrombie,Ben kick)
STAC 0, ARMY 35
ARMY - Donovan Mannion 33 yd pass from JC Watson (Abercrombie,Ben kick) 1 plays, 33 yards, TOP 0:10
STAC 0, ARMY 42
ARMY - Scott Belveal 2 yd run (Abercrombie,Ben kick), 10 plays, 70 yards, TOP 4:18
