| The Army Black Knights returned to Independent | | | | 1000 yard rusher. |
| scheduling in 2005 after a brief stint in Conference | | | | With such a ball control offense, Army's defense |
| USA. Rich Ellerson took over as head coach last | | | | is on the field less and the numbers last year |
| season and incorporated his triple option offense. | | | | definitely reflected that. Teams averaged 305 |
| The Black Knights ended up winning five games | | | | yards of total offense and the pass/run ratio was |
| and upset Vanderbilt as a 10 point underdog. This | | | | nearly identical. Ellerson actually improved this side |
| season could be the first time in 14 years that | | | | of the ball also and held opponents to 21 points |
| Army reaches bowl play. They have 16 returning | | | | game. Safety Donovan Travis is the heart and |
| starters and a true option style quarterback. View | | | | soul of the defense. He calls the plays relayed |
| the full conference breakdown in our 2010 | | | | from the sideline and had a team high four |
| Independent conference predictions article. | | | | interceptions as a junior. All three linebackers |
| An option style offense is based on assignments, | | | | return and this trio finished 1-2-3 in total tackles |
| discipline and decision making. Something the | | | | last season. Andrew Rodriguez led with 85 stops, |
| academy itself teaches everyday. True freshman | | | | but Stephen Anderson and Steve Erzinger were |
| Trent Steelman was thrown into the mix | | | | not far behind with 83 and 71 tackles respectively. |
| immediately after winning the starting position in | | | | The defensive line is an area of conference with |
| the month long camp that takes place prior to | | | | only one defensive tackle the coaching staff really |
| the start of the season. Steelman battled injury | | | | feels comfortable putting out there. They installed |
| issues throughout the first half of the season, but | | | | a bandit position in spring practice to cover up this |
| still ended up leading the team in rushing with 706 | | | | weakness. DE Josh McNary recorded 12.5 sacks |
| yards and five touchdowns. It takes a certain | | | | last year, but missed all of spring practice |
| type of mentality to know as a quarterback you | | | | recovering from shoulder surgery. I think this unit |
| are going to run the ball 90% of the time, but | | | | will be above average and keep Army close in |
| Ellerson believes he has a good one at Army for | | | | most games. |
| the next couple of years. A variety of running | | | | Six wins is the magic number for the Black |
| backs are used in this system, but the most | | | | Knights in 2010. Two of their first three games |
| important might be the FB position. Used on the | | | | will be played on home turf against Hawaii and |
| dive plays in the option, the fullback is also asked | | | | North Texas, but only three of the next nine are |
| to be the lead blocker a majority of the time. | | | | at home. Army does get the luxury of playing |
| The coaches are high on Air Force transfer Jared | | | | neutral site affairs vs. Rutgers and Notre Dame in |
| Hassin this year. He gives them a physical | | | | unique venues. Yankee Stadium will host the Notre |
| presence that was lacking in 09'. Patrick Mealy will | | | | Dame game and new Meadowlands Stadium is |
| also occupy the backfield and gained 673 yards | | | | the site of the Rutgers match-up. They host Air |
| last season. The Black Knights rarely pass, but | | | | Force on November 6th and round out the |
| when they did a year ago it went in the direction | | | | Armed Forces schedule with Navy on December |
| of 6'10 Ali Villanueva the majority of the time. His | | | | 11th looking for their first win in the past eight |
| eligibility expired as the receiving core looks like it | | | | years against the Midshipmen. I will call for a 6-6 |
| has some holes to fill. The offensive line is a | | | | year and a bowl invite. |
| veteran group that should pave the way for a | | | | |
