UTSA heads to West Point
The Roadrunners head to the west bank of the Hudson River to face the Army Black Knights in West Point. Both teams are looking for their first win of 2022.
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UTSA will be hitting the road this weekend when they head to West Point, New York to take on the Army Black Knights. At a distance of 1,894 miles from the UTSA campus to the United States Military Academy, this will be the second longest road trip by UTSA's football team in program history. Only the 1,933 mile trip to play the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho back in 2012 was a longer distance.
The Roadrunners will be facing the Army Black Knights at historic Blaik Field at Michie Stadium. When it comes to the USMA everything is historic.
In 1802, while San Antonio was still a frontier outpost of the Spanish Empire, the United States Military Academy was opened at West Point. At the time the United States western border was the Mississippi and the union consisted of just 16 states.
Over the 19th century as the country grew so too did the Military Academy. Cadets graduated from West Point and became famous generals like Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee, John J. Pershing among countless others.
It took 88 years from the opening of the USMA till the first season of Army football. The Cadets first football team took the field in 1890. Since then they have accumulated a record of 715-534-51.
Over the course of the 20th century the football team became known as the Black Knights because of the black uniforms they wore. The Army football team won three straight national championships in 1944, 1945 and 1946. Three Black Knights have been Heisman Trophy winners.
The Army football team opened Michie Stadium in 1924. Since opening Michie Stadium Army is 352-168-7 at home.
Army has played five games against members of the UT system. The Black Knights are 2-0 all-time against UTSA and UTEP but lost their only game against the Texas Longhorns in 1964.
| Army | UTSA | |
|---|---|---|
|
Year school was founded |
1802 |
1969 |
|
First year of football |
1890 |
2011 |
|
Record since 2011 |
66-72 |
64-69 |
|
Last week |
L 38-28 at Coastal Carolina |
L 37-35 v. Houston (3-OT) |
|
Next Week |
Sept. 17 v. Villanova 12 p.m. |
Sept. 17 at Texas 7 p.m. |
Roadrunners hope third time is charm against Army
UTSA has played Army twice before. Both times were at the Alamodome and both times Army won the game. UTSA never even had a lead in either of the two games against Army in 2019 and 2020.
Army continues to run the triple option that they did in the previous two games against UTSA. The Roadrunners were not helped in either of the two games by falling into double digit deficits early against an offense that likes to run the clock as much as they run the ball.
Both UTSA and Army enter this week's game with an 0-1 record on the 2022 season. UTSA fell in triple overtime to Houston before a raucous Alamodome crowd on Saturday. Army was on the road at Conway, South Carolina to take on the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. Coastal Carolina beat Army 38-28.
Through one game it is apparent that Army's offense hasn't changed. Last week the Black Knights had 202 yards rushing compared to 142 yards passing. Army completed four of their eight attempted passes, a result of the lead changing hands a few times between the Black Knights and the Chanticleers.
Army did have balance in their touchdowns, scoring two on the ground and two in the air at Coastal Carolina.
UTSA by comparison had 441 yards of total offense against Houston with 337 coming through the air and 104 yards from the rushing attack. UTSA also scored four touchdowns against Houston, three coming from the passing game and one coming on the ground.
The Army defense gave up 437 yards to Coastal Carolina last week. The Chanticleers had 263 yards rushing and 174 yards passing against Army and three of their five touchdowns were scored through the air.
Houston's offense put up 344 yards on the UTSA defense last week. The Cougars had 206 yards passing and 138 yards rushing against UTSA. Now the Roadrunners face the challenge of the Army triple option.
NOTABLE INDIVIDUALS
UTSA will need the offense to stay on the field longer than Army can or at the very least take advantage of every opportunity on offense. If Frank Harris and the receiving trio of Zakhari Franklin, Josh Cephus and DeCorian Clark can get into a rhythm it could be a long day for the Army defense. Franklin and Cephus both recorded 100 yard games against Houston and Clark added 70 yards receiving.
The Roadrunners running attack will likely continue to be a committee of Brendan Brady and Trelon Smith. They should have a chance to improve on their week one output against a Cougar defense that boasted what is likely the toughest defensive line they will face this season (aside from Texas next week).
Smith led the Roadrunners with 13 carries but only managed 34 yards against Houston. Brady had 11 yards on six attempts. Harris was the Roadrunners leading rusher with 63 yards and a touchdown.
Army's offense had six different players with a carry against Coastal Carolina. Such is the life of a team that runs the triple option. The leading rusher last week was Tyrell Robinson with 135 yards and a touchdown on nine attempts.
The Black Knights also had two different quarterbacks combine for their eight pass attempts. Cade Ballard completed three of his five pass attempts for 88 yards and a touchdown. Tyhier Tyler completed one pass that went for a 54-yard touchdown. Tyler also threw an interception to the Chanticleer defense.
Prediction time
In the first two meetings UTSA has never had a lead against Army. This Saturday that will change. The Roadrunner defense will need to be as good as they were for much of the season opener last week. If UTSA's defense can limit the big plays by Army's option attack and get the stops on third down when they come it will give the offense a chance.
UTSA would be served well if they can take a lead early in the game and force Army to get away from their triple option. It will be a great atmosphere and there will likely be a full crowd, including thousands of Cadets. Army will also probably be remembering the 21st anniversary of 9/11. It will be important for UTSA to not get caught up in the atmosphere and remember they are there to play football.
I think the Roadrunners will take their first lead ever against Army. I also feel like the lead might swap hands a few times. In the end It will be a timely turnover by the Roadrunner defense or the leg of Jared Sackett that helps lift UTSA to the victory.
My pick: UTSA 35 Army 28
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