Tulane Green Wave @ Army Black Knights Football Recap

The Army football team is developing a distinct Jekyll-and-Hyde personality. Perhaps, however, one could amend the spelling of that familiar phrase and say that Army is cultivating a Jekyll-and-Hide identity. It’s true that Army is maddeningly inconsistent, but on one afternoon at Michie Stadium, the Black Knights managed to run away and hide from a thoroughly outclassed opponent. The Tulane Green Wave, for their part, had nowhere to hide on a day when they got clobbered every which way but sideways.

Yes, after a disappointing week four loss on the final weekend of September, Army used October as a time to get a fresh start. The United States Military Academy’s football team looked fit, focused and formidable as it recovered from a brutal loss to Ball State and overpowered Tulane on both sides of the ball. The comprehensive display of dominance, one week after getting blasted, led the Jekyll-and-Hide Knights to a 39-point runaway win on Saturday afternoon in West Point.

While quarterback Trent Steelman has led the Black Knights in rushing attempts and yards this year, this week the rushing attack was led by running back Raymond Maples. The sophomore back ran for 141 yards on 15 carries to lead Army to 353 rushing yards on the day. Army’s overpowering run game was supplemented by its defense forcing four Tulane turnovers. The first came at the beginning of the second quarter when Josh Jackson intercepted Tulane quarterback Ryan Griffin and gave the Black Knights a 13-yard field. Two plays later, Steelman punched in a two-yard touchdown run, and Army’s 13-6 would be a lead they would only amplify throughout the rest of the game.

The early third quarter showed both good and bad signs for Army. Its opening play was a fumble from Jared Hassin, a problem with which Army has struggled this season. Luckily for the Black Knights, Tulane did not capitalize, fumbling the ball back just 10 yards away from a touchdown. The good sign came on Army’s next drive, when Steelman hit Davyd Brooks for a 40-yard touchdown pass. Last week against Ball State, Steelman failed to complete any passes. Steelman finished 3-3 for 70 yards, while adding 54 yards rushing. Army’s 353 rushing yards came on carries from 11 different players. Orleans Darkwa finished with 138 rushing yards for Tulane in the loss. Army, now 2-3, travels next week to Oxford, Ohio to play Miami of Ohio.