There have been more than a few moments this season where the feeling in one’s gut could only be described as “falling brick”. This is the feeling that Army fans have had so many times in the years since Army’s last winning season in 1996; a heady combination of despair, agony, anger, loathing, fear and depression. So with just over seven minutes remaining in Army’s game against North Texas, you can excuse the collective Army fan base’s urge to pick up the nearest object and hurl it towards an unsuspecting wall as Lance Dunbar slashed through the, to that point, opportunistic Army defense en route to a 68 yard touchdown run that appeared to be the nail in the coffin that is Army’s season.
There’s no denying that before the long run to put North Texas ahead that Army had lived on the edge the entire day. A normally strong Army defense had allowed North Texas’ offense to run up and down the field, giving up 370 yards total yards, but minimizing damage by forcing four turnovers. Army’s offense struggled to find the consistent that they have sought all year, so a long touchdown run seemed absolutely backbreaking. A missed PAT held North Texas’ lead to 13-10, at which point Army’s offense failed to convert on a 4th and 3 when Trent Steelman’s weak side option run only gained one yard, leaving North Texas with 1st and 10 at the Army 36 yard line and the season slowly fading into the abyss. What easily could have been a downtrodden Army defense took the field. The normally unflappable Joshua McNary was called for a facemask on the Mean Green’s QB Riley Dodge on what would have otherwise been a sack, setting up North Texas with another 1st and 10 at Army’s 21 yard line. After Dunbar ran for 9 yards on the next two plays, Army’s Steven Erzinger continued his strong performance (recovering from what seemed like a sub-par effort against VMI at home a week earlier) by sacking Dunbar for a four yard loss setting up a 4th and 5 at the Army 16 yard line with just over three minutes remaining.
While many questions continue to remain unanswered in Rich Ellerson’s first year as Army head coach, a coaching move that should not go unnoticed happened next. Ellerson’s defense remained on the field, forcing the Mean Green to take two of their timeouts prior to a field goal attempt that would have forced Army to score a touchdown. The events of that field goal remain a blur to me; watching a football game on a choppy, hazy two inch by four inch internet feed is not conducive to the most technical or flowery analysis of field goal defensive technique. Somewhere after snap and hold, Army’s Marcus Hilton broke through the offensive line, aided by Mike Gann and Victor Ugenyi, reached a paw up and deflected the 33 yard field goal attempt high into the Denton sky. Once again, Erzinger was opportunistic in his play and caught the ball, returning the block 23 yards, setting Army up at their own 38 with just over 2:30 left.
Army does not play freshman at quarterback, ever. This is not conjecture, it is simple fact. Other plebes have started games for Army, but Trent Steelman is the first plebe in “modern” history (and to be fair, all of history) to start the season and start every game in a season. It is sometimes hard to remember that freshmen, especially freshmen quarterbacks, will take time to develop, in spite of all of the tales of his ability to slay dragons and Midshipmen reached the eager ears of Army fans everywhere from the distant, mythical land of USMAPS last year. Room for growth remains, but Steelman’s talent and toughness have been evident all year. One 1st and 10, Steelman dropped to pass and immediately recognized that his favorite receiver, the 6’10 Alejandro Villenueva was well covered. Instead of forcing a throw that easily could have resulted in a game-ending interception, Steelman surveyed the field and found a gaping hole down the left side which he dashed through for 55 yards down to the Mean Green’s 7 yard line. Some might call it a “veteran” play; whatever the term, it was a play that set up Army’s game winning score and displayed the kind of decision making that Army will need from Steelman in his next three seasons as the Black Knights’ signal caller if the triple option is to become successful. Two plays later, Steelman found a crease and dove into the end zone and the converted PAT by Alex Carlton put Army ahead for good, 17-13.
The two timeouts that North Texas was forced to call prior to the blocked field goal loomed large with 1:43 left and, in some ways, limited Riley Dodge’s options down the middle of the field with so little time. Despite Dodge completing a pass for 19 yards, plebe defensive back Ty Shrader sealed the Army victory with an interception at the Army 40 yard line with 1:12 remaining, Army’s fifth forced turnover of the day. Often-maligned punter Jonathan Bulls’ rugby-style punt with 12 seconds remaining in the game bounced to the North Texas 15 yard line as time expired. Army fans know that five wins in a season at this point generate noise complaints from neighbors and numerous incoherent text messages and immediate “OMG we SO won!!!!” Facebook status updates (OK, I’m one of three Army fans I know who use Facebook).
At 5-6, Army fans contemplate the first time since 1996 where a bowl is a realistic possibility. There remains hope that next season will be the first time since 1996 where Army fans do not have to hear “the first since 1996” after any of Army’s accomplishments. Army has two weeks off prior to their annual tussle with Navy. Generally, the adage is “you throw out the records when these two meet”, but that completely ignores the fact that Army has not been competitive with Navy in almost any respect since their last win in 2001. At this point, Army is not on any competitive level with Navy and a win against the Middies seems unlikely. Stephen Anderson’s knee injury should hurt an Army defense that largely shut down Air Force’s different approach to the option through one half of football before a difficult second half. Navy’s defense has played very well this year and while Army will improve in their option attack, they simply do not have an offensive line to create enough holes up the middle for the fullback dive play. More than likely, Ellerson and company will face their first true off-season at Army after finishing a frustrating, but also encouraging 5-7 that, given a few bounces could have been 6-6 or 7-5. I do not want to write off the Army-Navy game at this point, I will have a bit more to preview the Navy game during the week leading up to the game. At this point, it is important to remember that what will be an uphill climb seems to have a distinct feeling of hope right now, after Army stole a win in the North Texas night. Army fans have seen that type game go the other way so many times in the past and you can forgive them if they had the thought that, maybe, it will be different now.
Added thoughts that I absolutely REFUSE to call “Extra Points”:
- Steelman really could be one of the all time great QBs at Army if he continues to develop, but it will all depend on development of the offensive line.
- The North Texas commentators were excellent, even if the overall quality of their broadcast was not. This is the first time I can remember an opponent’s broadcast team not overtly and vociferously rooting against Army and providing actual commentary on a football game at the same time.
- All things considered, it is very hard to complain about the defensive performance on Saturday with Anderson’s injury taking out the most important position. McNary remained relentless throughout and Rodriguez continues to improve at a crucial position as only a sophomore. Still, despite two interceptions by defensive backs, the secondary on the whole remains a question mark that must improve next year for further strides to be taken.
Tags: 2009 Wins, North Texas, Steelman is a BEAST
