|
|
AF |
ARMY |
Army holds off Air Force 17-14, 11th straight win at home
WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) Army is in rarefied air and coach Jeff Monken is impressed.
The third wheel in the annual round-robin series with service academy rivals Air Force and Navy - the Falcons have won the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy 20 times and the Midshipmen 15 - before Saturday Army had won the coveted hardware, emblematic of supremacy among the three schools, just seven times.
Make that eight - and the first time in consecutive years.
Fullback Darnell Woolfolk rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown, Kelvin Hopkins Jr. scored on a 6-yard run, and Army held off rival Air Force 17-14 on Saturday.
It was the 11th straight victory at Michie Stadium for Army (7-2), which won the trophy outright last season for the first time since 1996 and will keep possession no matter the outcome of its game against archrival Navy next month.
''That epitomizes the mental toughness of this team,'' Monken said. ''It wasn't always pretty. We could have done better. I'm really, really glad that we won the game. It's an emotional game. It feels good to win.
''It was a battle. I was proud our team was able to find a way to win. I think our guys were pressed into a corner. Give them (Air Force) credit. They were fighting, too.''
Air Force (3-6), which beat Navy 35-7 a month ago, is 33-14 in Commander in Chief's Trophy games against Army since the trophy was first awarded in 1972 and could have won the trophy again on Saturday with a victory. The Falcons had won 18 of the previous 21 in the series against the Black Knights, but they couldn't overcome a costly interception by Army's Mike Reynolds at the Army 4 in the final minute of the first half.
''There was a chance to seize this one, but I'm not putting any blame on the offense at all,'' Air Force linebacker Kyle Johnson said. ''We didn't do the job just the same way they didn't.''
The Falcons were unable to score in the opening half with Isaiah Sanders at quarterback, fell behind by two scores, and couldn't recover despite dominating the second half. Air Force outgained Army 212-77 after halftime with Donald Hammond III at quarterback. The Black Knights secured the victory when Hammond was stopped for no gain on a fourth-and-3 play at the Army 40 with under 2 minutes to play.
''We were driving downfield. We should have made some plays we didn't make,'' Hammond said. ''I just wanted to win this game for the team. We're never going to give up. That's one thing we're not going to do.''
Hammond, who excelled in the victory over Navy, accounting for four touchdowns in his first college start, replaced Sanders to start the third quarter and quickly hit Marcus Bennett for 31 yards into Army territory, but the drive ended when the Falcons were called for an illegal block on a fourth-and-3 play and had to punt.
Hammond had completions of 17 yards to Geraud Sanders and 13 yards to Marcus Bennett late in the third quarter, but the Falcons turned the ball over on downs when a fourth-down pass by Hammond attempt fell incomplete.
The Falcons finally caught a break when safety Jeremy Fejedelem got a hand on a punt by Army's Nick Schrage and it traveled just 4 yards to give Air Force a first down at the Army 34 and they capitalized. Hammond scored from the 1 two plays after converting a fourth-and-1 play, cutting the lead to 14-6 with under a minute to play in the third. Jake Koehnke's point-after try hit the left goalpost and stayed out.
Senior John Abercrombie kicked a 30-yard field goal with 8:35 left to complete a 13-play drive that took 7:19 off the clock on a gusty day and gave Army a 17-6 lead midway through the fourth.
Undaunted, Hammond drove the Falcons 75 yards in 10 plays to pull within a field goal. The drive was kept alive by a pass interference call against Army on a third-and-10 play. Cole Fagan's 30-yard catch-and-run set up Joseph Saucier's 6-yard touchdown run off a pitch. Saucier also converted on the 2-point try to make it 17-14.
''When our backs are against the wall, we never flinch,'' said Army linebacker Cole Christiansen, who combined with James Nachtigal to make the saving tackle on Hammond. ''Definitely in the second half they came at us differently. We got it done.''
THE TAKEAWAY
Air Force: The Falcons are faltering in the Mountain West Conference at 1-4 and have to win their final three games to qualify for the postseason. At least two of the games are at Falcon Stadium.
Army: The Black Knights have beaten Air Force and Navy two straight times. Another victory over Navy in December will clinch the 170-pound trophy outright.
NO GAMBLE
Trailing 7-0 early in the second quarter, Air Force coach Troy Calhoun elected to punt on fourth-and-2 just inside Army territory. The Black Knights were 3 for 3 on fourth down to up their season total to 29 conversions in 32 attempts.
UP NEXT
Air Force hosts New Mexico next Saturday.
Army hosts FCS foe Lafayette next Saturday.
---
More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25
Copyright 2018 by AP. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of AP is strictly prohibited.
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 17 | 16 |
Rushing | 7 | 15 |
Passing | 8 | 0 |
Penalty | 2 | 1 |
3rd Down Conv | 3-9 | 8-16 |
4th Down Conv | 1-3 | 3-3 |
Total Net Yards | 322 | 286 |
Total Plays | 57 | 64 |
Avg Gain | 5.6 | 4.5 |
Net Yards Rushing | 125 | 242 |
Rush Attempts | 35 | 59 |
Avg Rush Yards | 3.6 | 4.1 |
Yards Passing | 197 | 44 |
Comp. - Att. | 12-22 | 3-5 |
Yards Per Pass | 9.0 | 8.8 |
Penalties - Yards | 5-55 | 5-69 |
Touchdowns | 2 | 2 |
Rushing TDs | 2 | 2 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | 0 | 0 |
Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 1 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 3-38.7 | 3-43.3 |
Return Yards | 42 | 22 |
Punts - Returns | 1-8 | 1-17 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 2-34 | 1-5 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 1-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
D. Hammond IIIÂ
5 QB
|
D. Hammond III | 7/15 | 120 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
I. SandersÂ
4 QB
|
I. Sanders | 5/7 | 77 | 0 | 1 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
C. FaganÂ
34 FB
|
C. Fagan | 10 | 37 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Hammond IIIÂ
5 QB
|
D. Hammond III | 10 | 33 | 1 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. SaucierÂ
28 RB
|
J. Saucier | 6 | 21 | 1 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
I. SandersÂ
4 QB
|
I. Sanders | 5 | 21 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. RemsbergÂ
24 RB
|
K. Remsberg | 4 | 13 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. SuttonÂ
5 DB
|
D. Sutton | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
G. SandersÂ
7 WR
|
G. Sanders | 0 | 3 | 55 | 0 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. BennettÂ
8 WR
|
M. Bennett | 0 | 2 | 44 | 0 | 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
B. LewisÂ
26 WR
|
B. Lewis | 0 | 3 | 32 | 0 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. FaganÂ
34 FB
|
C. Fagan | 0 | 1 | 30 | 0 | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. SaucierÂ
28 RB
|
J. Saucier | 0 | 1 | 29 | 0 | 29 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. RemsbergÂ
24 RB
|
K. Remsberg | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. WaguespackÂ
87 TE
|
K. Waguespack | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. SmithÂ
10 WR
|
A. Smith | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
J. KoehnkeÂ
92 K
|
J. Koehnke | 0/0 | 0 | 0/1 | 0 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
J. KoehnkeÂ
92 K
|
J. Koehnke | 3 | 38.7 | 1 | 46 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. SaucierÂ
28 RB
|
J. Saucier | 2 | 17.0 | 17 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
A. Smith 10 WR
|
A. Smith | 1 | 8.0 | 8 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
K. Hopkins Jr.Â
8 QB
|
K. Hopkins Jr. | 3/5 | 44 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
D. WoolfolkÂ
33 RB
|
D. Woolfolk | 21 | 117 | 1 | 52 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Hopkins Jr.Â
8 QB
|
K. Hopkins Jr. | 19 | 75 | 1 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. DavidsonÂ
40 RB
|
A. Davidson | 8 | 30 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. WalkerÂ
5 RB
|
K. Walker | 4 | 7 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. SlomkaÂ
25 RB
|
C. Slomka | 2 | 4 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. CoatesÂ
6 WR
|
G. Coates | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. ThomasÂ
4 QB
|
C. Thomas | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. AsberryÂ
3 RB
|
J. Asberry | 2 | 3 | 0 | 7 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
J. AsberryÂ
3 RB
|
J. Asberry | 0 | 2 | 35 | 0 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
G. CoatesÂ
6 WR
|
G. Coates | 0 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. ClineÂ
82 WR
|
K. Cline | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
M. ReynoldsÂ
10 DB
|
M. Reynolds | 0-0 | 0.0 | 1 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
J. AbercrombieÂ
96 K
|
J. Abercrombie | 1/1 | 30 | 2/2 | 5 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
N. SchrageÂ
38 K
|
N. Schrage | 3 | 43.3 | 0 | 47 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
K. WalkerÂ
5 RB
|
K. Walker | 1 | 5.0 | 5 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
M. Reynolds 10 DB
|
M. Reynolds | 1 | 17.0 | 17 | 0 |
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (15:00 - 1st) 92-J.Koehnke kicks 65 yards from AF 35 to ARM End Zone. touchback. |
+7 YD | 1 & 10 - ARMY 25 (15:00 - 1st) 33-D.Woolfolk to ARM 32 for 7 yards. |
+6 YD | 2 & 3 - ARMY 32 (15:00 - 1st) 33-D.Woolfolk to ARM 38 for 6 yards. |
+4 YD | 1 & 10 - ARMY 38 (14:19 - 1st) 8-K.Hopkins to ARM 42 for 4 yards. |
+3 YD | 2 & 6 - ARMY 42 (13:44 - 1st) 25-C.Slomka to ARM 45 for 3 yards. |
+3 YD | 3 & 3 - ARMY 45 (13:19 - 1st) 33-D.Woolfolk to ARM 48 for 3 yards. |
+13 YD | 1 & 10 - ARMY 48 (12:37 - 1st) 40-A.Davidson to AF 39 for 13 yards. |
-15 YD | 1 & 10 - AF 39 (12:08 - 1st) 8-K.Hopkins to AF 37 for 2 yards. Penalty on ARM 73-J.Deaton Chop block 15 yards enforced at AF 39. No Play. |
+14 YD | 1 & 25 - ARMY 46 (11:48 - 1st) 8-K.Hopkins complete to 3-J.Asberry. 3-J.Asberry to AF 40 for 14 yards. |
+2 YD | 2 & 11 - AF 40 (11:19 - 1st) 33-D.Woolfolk to AF 38 for 2 yards. |
+13 YD | 3 & 9 - AF 38 (10:40 - 1st) 8-K.Hopkins to AF 25 for 13 yards. |
Penalty | 1 & 10 - AF 25 (9:54 - 1st) Penalty on ARM 65-B.Holland Unnecessary roughness 15 yards enforced at AF 25. No Play. |
+2 YD | 1 & 10 - AF 40 (9:47 - 1st) 40-A.Davidson to AF 38 for 2 yards. |
+2 YD | 2 & 8 - AF 38 (9:25 - 1st) 8-K.Hopkins to AF 36 for 2 yards. |
+9 YD | 3 & 6 - AF 36 (8:39 - 1st) 8-K.Hopkins to AF 27 for 9 yards. |
+2 YD | 1 & 10 - AF 27 (7:55 - 1st) 5-K.Walker to AF 25 for 2 yards. |
+5 YD | 2 & 8 - AF 25 (7:24 - 1st) 33-D.Woolfolk to AF 20 for 5 yards. |
+3 YD | 3 & 3 - AF 20 (6:44 - 1st) 33-D.Woolfolk to AF 17 for 3 yards. |
+4 YD | 1 & 10 - AF 17 (6:08 - 1st) 40-A.Davidson to AF 13 for 4 yards. |
+1 YD | 2 & 6 - AF 13 (5:29 - 1st) 8-K.Hopkins to AF 12 for 1 yard. |
+3 YD | 3 & 5 - AF 12 (4:47 - 1st) 33-D.Woolfolk to AF 9 for 3 yards. |
+2 YD | 4 & 2 - AF 9 (4:06 - 1st) 33-D.Woolfolk to AF 7 for 2 yards. |
-15 YD | 1 & 7 - AF 7 (3:24 - 1st) 8-K.Hopkins to AF 2 for 5 yards. Penalty on ARM 76-P.Reeder Chop block 15 yards enforced at AF 7. No Play. |
1 & 22 - (2:55 - 1st) 8-K.Hopkins incomplete. Intended for 3-J.Asberry. | |
+21 YD | 1 & 22 - AF 22 (2:25 - 1st) 8-K.Hopkins complete to 3-J.Asberry. 3-J.Asberry to AF 1 for 21 yards. |
+1 YD | 2 & 1 - AF 1 (2:25 - 1st) 33-D.Woolfolk runs 1 yard for a touchdown. |
PAT Good | (2:09 - 1st) 31-J.Abercrombie extra point is good. |
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (2:05 - 1st) 1-L.Salyers kicks 57 yards from ARM 35. 28-J.Saucier to AF 25 for 17 yards. |
+7 YD | 1 & 10 - AF 25 (2:05 - 1st) 24-K.Remsberg to AF 32 for 7 yards. |
+29 YD | 2 & 3 - AF 32 (1:57 - 1st) 4-I.Sanders complete to 28-J.Saucier. 28-J.Saucier to ARM 39 for 29 yards. |
+3 YD | 1 & 10 - ARMY 39 (1:27 - 1st) 34-C.Fagan to ARM 36 for 3 yards. |
Penalty | 2 & 7 - ARMY 36 (1:10 - 1st) Penalty on AF 61-S.Hattok False start 5 yards enforced at ARM 36. No Play. |
-4 YD | 2 & 12 - ARMY 41 (0:42 - 1st) 28-J.Saucier to ARM 45 for -4 yards. |
No Gain | 3 & 16 - ARMY 45 (0:25 - 1st) 4-I.Sanders incomplete. Intended for 8-M.Bennett. |
Punt | 4 & 16 - ARMY 45 (15:00 - 2nd) 92-J.Koehnke punts 36 yards from ARM 45. 10-M.Reynolds to ARM 26 for 17 yards. |
Result | Play |
---|---|
+1 YD | 1 & 10 - ARMY 26 (14:54 - 2nd) 25-C.Slomka to ARM 27 for 1 yard. |
-2 YD | 2 & 9 - ARMY 27 (14:41 - 2nd) 5-K.Walker to ARM 25 for -2 yards. |
No Gain | 3 & 11 - ARMY 25 (14:03 - 2nd) 8-K.Hopkins incomplete. Intended for 82-K.Cline. |
Punt | 4 & 11 - ARMY 25 (13:19 - 2nd) 38-N.Schrage punts 47 yards from ARM 25 to AF 28 fair catch by 10-A.Smith. |
Result | Play |
---|---|
+4 YD | 1 & 10 - AF 28 (13:12 - 2nd) 24-K.Remsberg to AF 32 for 4 yards. |
Penalty | 2 & 6 - ARMY 32 (13:02 - 2nd) Penalty on ARM 19-J.Nachtigal Unsportsmanlike conduct 15 yards enforced at AF 32. No Play. |
+4 YD | 1 & 10 - AF 47 (12:48 - 2nd) 4-I.Sanders to ARM 49 for 4 yards. |
+2 YD | 2 & 6 - ARMY 49 (12:38 - 2nd) 4-I.Sanders to ARM 47 for 2 yards. |
+2 YD | 3 & 4 - ARMY 47 (12:01 - 2nd) 34-C.Fagan to ARM 45 for 2 yards. |
Punt | 4 & 2 - ARMY 45 (11:41 - 2nd) 92-J.Koehnke punts 34 yards from ARM 45 to ARM 11 fair catch by 10-M.Reynolds. |
Result | Play |
---|---|
+3 YD | 1 & 10 - ARMY 11 (10:59 - 2nd) 33-D.Woolfolk to ARM 14 for 3 yards. |
+5 YD | 2 & 7 - ARMY 14 (10:50 - 2nd) 8-K.Hopkins to ARM 19 for 5 yards. |
+2 YD | 3 & 2 - ARMY 19 (10:10 - 2nd) 8-K.Hopkins to ARM 21 for 2 yards. |
+2 YD | 1 & 10 - ARMY 21 (9:28 - 2nd) 8-K.Hopkins to ARM 23 for 2 yards. |
+3 YD | 2 & 8 - ARMY 23 (8:54 - 2nd) 8-K.Hopkins to ARM 26 for 3 yards. |
+7 YD | 3 & 5 - ARMY 26 (8:18 - 2nd) 3-J.Asberry to ARM 33 for 7 yards. |
+5 YD | 1 & 10 - ARMY 33 (7:36 - 2nd) 40-A.Davidson to ARM 38 for 5 yards. |
+1 YD | 2 & 5 - ARMY 38 (7:07 - 2nd) 8-K.Hopkins to ARM 39 for 1 yard. |
+3 YD | 3 & 4 - ARMY 39 (6:31 - 2nd) 4-C.Thomas to ARM 42 for 3 yards. |
+52 YD | 4 & 1 - ARMY 42 (5:33 - 2nd) 33-D.Woolfolk to AF 6 for 52 yards. |
+6 YD | 1 & 6 - AF 6 (4:53 - 2nd) 8-K.Hopkins runs 6 yards for a touchdown. |
PAT Good | (4:12 - 2nd) 96-J.Abercrombie extra point is good. |
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (4:03 - 2nd) 1-L.Salyers kicks 40 yards from ARM 35 to AF 25 fair catch by 28-J.Saucier. |
+9 YD | 1 & 10 - AF 25 (4:03 - 2nd) 4-I.Sanders complete to 26-B.Lewis. 26-B.Lewis to AF 34 for 9 yards. |
+2 YD | 2 & 1 - AF 34 (4:03 - 2nd) 4-I.Sanders to AF 36 for 2 yards. |
+7 YD | 1 & 10 - AF 36 (3:29 - 2nd) 4-I.Sanders to AF 43 for 7 yards. |
+19 YD | 2 & 3 - AF 43 (3:08 - 2nd) 4-I.Sanders complete to 7-G.Sanders. 7-G.Sanders to ARM 38 for 19 yards. |
+6 YD | 1 & 10 - ARMY 38 (2:35 - 2nd) 4-I.Sanders to ARM 32 for 6 yards. |
+18 YD | 2 & 4 - ARMY 32 (2:09 - 2nd) 4-I.Sanders complete to 26-B.Lewis. 26-B.Lewis to ARM 14 for 18 yards. |
-15 YD | 1 & 10 - ARMY 14 (1:38 - 2nd) 4-I.Sanders to ARM 12 for 2 yards. Penalty on AF 66-N.Laufenberg Chop block 15 yards enforced at ARM 14. No Play. |
+2 YD | 1 & 25 - ARMY 29 (1:19 - 2nd) 4-I.Sanders complete to 87-K.Waguespack. 87-K.Waguespack to ARM 27 for 2 yards. |
Int | 2 & 23 - ARMY 27 (1:01 - 2nd) 4-I.Sanders incomplete. INTERCEPTED by 10-M.Reynolds at ARM 4. 10-M.Reynolds to ARM 4 for no gain. |
Result | Play |
---|---|
+2 YD | 1 & 10 - ARMY 4 (0:53 - 2nd) 40-A.Davidson to ARM 6 for 2 yards. |
-1 YD | 2 & 8 - ARMY 6 (0:46 - 2nd) 8-K.Hopkins kneels at ARM 5 for -1 yard. |
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (0:07 - 2nd) 1-L.Salyers kicks 55 yards from ARM 35. 28-J.Saucier to AF 27 for 17 yards. |
+31 YD | 1 & 10 - AF 27 (15:00 - 3rd) 5-D.Hammond complete to 8-M.Bennett. 8-M.Bennett to ARM 42 for 31 yards. |
+1 YD | 1 & 10 - ARMY 42 (14:53 - 3rd) 34-C.Fagan to ARM 41 for 1 yard. |
+5 YD | 2 & 9 - ARMY 41 (14:32 - 3rd) 5-D.Hammond complete to 26-B.Lewis. 26-B.Lewis to ARM 36 for 5 yards. |
No Gain | 3 & 4 - ARMY 36 (14:13 - 3rd) 5-D.Hammond incomplete. Intended for 10-A.Smith. |
+5 YD | 4 & 4 - ARMY 36 (13:40 - 3rd) 5-D.Hammond to ARM 31 for 5 yards. Team penalty on AF Illegal block in the back 15 yards enforced at ARM 31. |
Punt | 4 & 14 - ARMY 46 (13:35 - 3rd) 92-J.Koehnke punts 46 yards from ARM 46 to ARM End Zone. touchback. |
Result | Play |
---|---|
+1 YD | 1 & 10 - ARMY 20 (13:12 - 3rd) 8-K.Hopkins to ARM 21 for 1 yard. |
+3 YD | 2 & 9 - ARMY 21 (12:56 - 3rd) 33-D.Woolfolk to ARM 24 for 3 yards. |
+5 YD | 3 & 6 - ARMY 24 (12:16 - 3rd) 33-D.Woolfolk to ARM 29 for 5 yards. |
Punt | 4 & 1 - ARMY 29 (11:31 - 3rd) 38-N.Schrage punts 41 yards from ARM 29 Downed at the AF 30. |