ARMY EEKS-OUT HOME OPENER VS AUBURN - OVERTIME THRILLER

West Point, NY - Army took 3 quarters to get on the board against Auburn and never actually led until Billy Hopkins' third field goal of the game sailed through the uprights. In overtime, the Black Knights open the season winning 16-13.



"William saves the day!", blurted freshman QB Rocky Rothrock, who had a fairly inauspicious start in his first game at the FBS level. "It was definitely not how I felt it would go, except for that all important W!" Rothrock went 25/40 for 212yds, with 1 TD and 2 Interceptions. "You have to credit Auburn, too." "It's not an easy place to play and their defense came out to play."

It was actually Darrell Slack who came in for two plays in the overtime and completed his only 2 passes of the game, to put Hopkins in position to kick the game winner. Slack's numbers otherwise look horrible. 2 for 11, 27yds and 1 Int.

Army will host AP #2 Notre Dame on Monday night. The two teams split their matchups last season. Notre Dame won their week one game vs Washington St., 13-6.

Head Coach, Arthur Salter had this to say about the Notre Dame matchup, "Hate 'em." "I've been here since the start and division-wise, we've really only been able to be the thorn in their side a few times." "Expect that to change, we're ready for them, we're ready to punch a Leprechaun." Salter is in his first year as the team's Head Coach after serving as the Offensive Coordinator since the team's inception in 2017.

BALL-CONTROL-STOUT DEFENSE THWARTS NOTRE DAME AT MICHIE STADIUM, AGAIN

West Point, NY - Rocky Rothrock's coming out in the Black Knight's second game of the season wasn't the only feature of the match up versus conference rival, Notre Dame. Army's defense proved to be as stingy as any defense they've assembled in the team's history. Army also has it's first-ever back to back wins against the Irish, winning on Monday night, 33-10.

The defense held Notre Dame to 270 total yards and 0 for 10 on third downs. Fourth year defensive coordinator, Ronald King was very pleased. "We didn't force turnovers tonight, but everyone played their roles and executed as well as we ever have." Veteran safety, Tanker Bryant along with 2nd year safety, Jack Jackson led the team in tackles. "I'm really impressed with our freshman, (Zoner, Bonsu and Bradley [Lawrence]) they've really stepped up and contributed." "If we have that consistently through the season, we're going to cause problems!"

On offense, Rothrock turned to some veteran players, So. Daniel Huff, Jr. Robert Brookins and Sr. Glen Coates to attack Notre Dame with speed and precision. "Those guys are so fast, so smart and just, warriors." said Rothrock, amidst an endless flow of high fives from his teammates. Coates and Brookins combined for 120 yds rushing and Brookins and Huff accounted for all 4 of the teams touchdowns, each with 2.

Rothrock was 36/40 for 367yds 3 TD 0 Int's for a 129.9 QBR.

"Robert gets the game ball this week.", said Arthur Salter. "He really got up for this game and took it to them." "He's evolved into a team leader with his work ethic, and leading by example." Brookins had 21 Touches. 39 yds on the ground and 160 yds receiving.

Army will finish its three game homestand on Wednesday night, hosting Navy in their 17th meeting. Navy has also started the season 2-0 and are coming off of a 28-24 win over Auburn in Annapolis on Monday.

KNIGHTS HOLD OFF THE MIDDIES – ROAD TRIP TO PROVO – NEXT!

The 2024 season saw the Black Knights start the year with four straight road games. This year, they got to start with 3 in a row at Michie Stadium. “I wish we could play ‘em all, here!”, said Tanker Bryant following Army’s 21-18 win over Navy on Wednesday night. “We love our fans!” Bryant will go on the shelf for a few weeks after injuring his neck in the game. “I’ll be fine, just have to rest it for a few weeks according to the infirmary.”

Both teams seemed to size each other up through the first quarter of their latest clash, the 17th of this storied rivalry. But in the 2nd quarter, it was the Black Knights who struck first when Rocky Rothrock converted a fumble by Navy at midfield, into the game’s first score. In just 5 plays, Rothrock found TE Chris Cameron for a 1yd dart-throw and Army led 7-0.

Navy answered right back with an 8-play 57 yard drive that stalled at the Army 27yd line. Joseph Brewer made good on a 35yd FG to make it 7-3.

Following an Army 4 and out, punt. Navy’s QB went to work, marching the Midshipmen down the field, 80 yards in 6 plays, finishing with a Randy Williams TD strike to TE Jerry Ingrassia for 1 yard and Navy led the game at half-time 10-7.

Salter must have had some good intel to share in the locker room, because Rothrock and the Army offense came out firing in the 3rd quarter with Coates, Brookins and Thompson working in sync. A methodical 11 play, 75 yard drive was finished off by a 7 yard strike from Rothrock to George Thompson, to put Army back on top 14-10.

It was another turnover that gave Army another chance to capitalize. Knights’ DT William Wilson picked off a Williams pass at the Army 34 yard line with 5:48 left in the 3rd quarter. Rothrock and Co. wasted little time getting their 2nd TD off of a turnover with another pass to James Marks for 21 yards.

With less than 2 minutes remaining in the 3rd Quarter, Army held an 11-point lead. Surely the pundits, who called for another Army meltdown following a big-win the week prior, had it wrong…this time.

Navy did everything they could to prove them right, but may have waited too long to mount their charge.

After both teams used up most of the fourth quarter with time consuming drives that netted nothing for points on the board. Navy, with great field position at their own 45, took the ball with 1:50 left in the game. 7 plays and :47 seconds later Randy Williams hit Joseph Chow on a 6yard corner and following a successful 2pt conversion, Navy was within an on-side kick recovery and field goal of tying the game or winning it with another drive like they just had.

On the kick, it was the sure-handed WR George Thompson with the recovery that sealed the victory for Army. With the win, the Black Knights fall in the AP/MFN rankings to #7, one notch above their next opponent, BYU, who is also 3-0 following an 11-2 win over Oregon.

“These three home games have been everything we wanted them to be.”, said Art Salter. “The guys have executed and remained grounded through it all, which is something I really value in a team.” Salter went on about the upcoming schedule, “Speaking of executing, we gotta continue this now…into Provo against a hungry, determined BYU squad.” “We know we’re going to have to be perfect to get out of there with a W!” “They’re well coached and detail oriented…taking nothing away from Auburn, Notre Dame or Navy, we feel this [BYU matchup] will be the toughest challenge of the season so far.”

And after that? The Black ‘n Scarlett Bowl in New Jersey against the reigning Super Conference champs.

CAT SCRATCH FEVER - BLACK KNIGHTS FALL SHORT IN PROVO

Provo, UT - Head Coach Arthur Salter had said following the win over Navy, that going on the road in to BYU would be their "toughest" test yet. The Cougars did not disappoint. Army's slim 6 point lead in the 4th quarter quickly evaporated. Following some very heads-up football by the home team, along with a turnover late in the 4th quarter, BYU stayed perfect on the season at 4-0.

There was another turnover very early though, that freshman QB Rocky Rothrock would love to get back. On the opening offensive- play of the game, Rothrock's throw to the right side was picked off by Lewis McGinnis and returned to the Army 5yd line. Long-time nemesis, QB Larry Ricketts found Brenden Knox in the end zone for the game's first score, just 49 seconds into the game.

By the end of the first quarter Army would respond with a long drive, but only ended up getting a 24 yd FG by K William Hopkins. At the end of 1, it was BYU 7 ARMY 3.

The second quarter seemed to take on a swing of momentum for Army as Hopkins added a second FG from 18 yards, following a 12 play drive. Rothrock followed that drive up by picking apart the Cougar defense, driving 71 yards in 13 plays. He then found TE Chris Cameron wide open in the endzone, with a 3 yard bullet. At the half, it was ARMY 13 BYU 7.

"The first half was one of our best ever halves of football from a defensive standpoint.", said Salter. "Unfortunately, we softened a tad in the fourth quarter". "I think the guys got a little tired late in the game."

The Army defense was very stingy in that first half, holding BYU to just 55 yards of offense. Ricketts had been 7 of 12 for just 27 yds.

The two teams traded blows in the 3rd quarter with neither putting any points on the board. But early in the 4th quarter BYU finally added to their score in the game's opening minute, with a 25yd FG from Ronald Osborne.

The home team, feeling the momentum swing back to the blue-side, began to click offensively. With 5 1/2 minutes left in the game, Ricketts hit his favorite receiver, TE John Amaya from 58 yards out to give the Cougars the lead again, 17-16.

Then came Rothrock's second costly miscue with a chance to drive into field goal range for a potential game winning FG. Rothrock, on a similar throw to the right side was again intercepted by Lewis McGinnis....and again it was in plus-territory for BYU.

The Army defense did hold, forcing a long field goal attempt for Osborne. The senior kicker made good from 55 yards and forced Army to need a touchdown, with just under 2 minutes left in the game.

The offense stalled in just 5 plays, and turned over on downs for Ricketts to line up in Victory Formation. BYU 20 ARMY 16 F.

Army travels back across the country to try to play "Home-Wrecker" in Piscataway, NJ. The BCS Rankings just came out and has Rutgers ranked at #24. "I'm really surprised at their start this year.", said RB Robert Brookins. "We're not going to let that ranking nor the 1-3 record be anything to effect our preparation." "They are reigning conference champions...we need to treat them as such." Army opens the season ranked #10 in the BCS.

DARK NIGHT FOR SCARLET KNIGHTS | ARMY CRUSHES RUTGERS HOMECOMING

Piscataway, NJ – The Rutgers A.D. seemed poised, a day after Rocky Rothrock inked the paper committing to Army, to have the Black Knights be their opponent for Homecoming. “I think following the season Rutgers had last year, I may have done the same thing if the roles were reversed.”, said a beaming Arthur Salter. “This was a big win for Army tonight and a big night for Rocky to answer that ‘call’!” The true-freshman QB went 40/50 for 364 yards, 4 TD’s and one interception.

RB Robert Brookins had a good night running the ball for Army, going 17 carries for 88 yds and a TD. Rothrock spread his throws around, with both TE’s getting touchdown grabs as well as true-fullback, Marc Smith. Converted TE Rick Kurz grabbed his first ever TD, a 12 yarder, his only catch of the game.

“The younger guys really came to play tonight!”, said Bryno, Army’s A.D. “Rocky, of course.” “But also big contributions from Charles Zoner, Marc Smith and Brad Lawrence!” “All first- year guys…that’s awfully nice to see for the future of this team!”

Defensively, it was a big night for the Black Knights’ cornerbacks. #1 signee, four years ago, Ray Shuman had 5 tackles and an interception to end the game. And former overall #1 signee (2017) Marcus Hyatt also had a big night, hauling in 2 interceptions against 2nd year freshman Johnnie Montes. “Everything clicked for us, defensively.”, said Hyatt, on his way to the team bus. “This ride back to the Point will be pretty nice, I’ll probably sleep peacefully the whole way.” “We really wanted to come back for this game at home against BYU at 5-0 but 4-1…..we like that too!”

The entire Independent Division is knotted at 4-1, heading into week 6, with Navy visiting Alabama and Notre Dame on the road to Ohio State. Navy handed BYU its first loss of the season, 35-19 in Provo and the Irish are coming off a 24-14 win over the Crimson Tide in South Bend.

“We’re expecting a full-house at Michie on Wednesday night.”, said Bryno. “We’re definitely getting a ‘fill’ of division games early and that’s cool because it really drives up the excitement early on, in the season.” “I’d imagine it’ll be the loudest 30,000 seat venue in the country for this one.”

Yup, THERES the Rothrock game that had me in a cold sweat both weeks we played Army. Congrats on the Win!