by Jerry Feitelberg
The Stanford Cardinal football team will be playing the Army Black Knights at Michie Stadium located at the U.S. Military Academy located at West Point, New York. Kickoff will be at 9am Pacific.
The Cardinal is coming off a win over San Jose State last Saturday night at Stanford Stadium.
The Cardinal led on offense by Kevin Hogan, Ty Gaffner and Ty Montgomery will be facing an Army team that has started the season 1-1. The Black Knights beat Morgan State in their opener but lost to Ball State last week.
The Army Team is coached by Rich Ellerson who is now in his fifth year as head coach. Ellerson loves to use the triple option and the Black Knights led the nation in rushing last year averaging nearly 370 yards per game. The Cardinal’s stout defense should be up to the task as they are led on defense by Shayne Skov, A.J. Tarply and Ed Reynolds. Under Ellerson’s tutelage, Army had it’s first winning season since 1996 in 2010. The Black Knights played In the Bell Helicopter Armed Services Bowl and won 16-14. The record that year was 7-6. However, Army’s record the last two years is just 5-19.
Army does have a Bay Area product playing for them Chris Carnegie from East Oakland will be the starting cornerback.
Army has been playing intercollegiate football for many years. Their best years came when the were coached by the legendary Earl “Red” Blaik. Blaik coached the team from 1941 to 1958 and had a record of 121-33-10. His most famous players were Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis. The two players were known as “Mister Inside” and “Mister Outside”. Pete Dawkins starred for the Black Knights in the 50’s and Dawkins went on to a successful military career. Back in those days, Army would play Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium to sell out crowds and the games would draw national attention.
In the early days of television, the Army-Navy game was always a must. However, the service academies are no longer in the top 25 rated teams anymore. Many reasons for that but the main reason is that players that have pro potential do not want to commit 5 more years of military service after graduation as their skills would probably erode and they would not make it in the NFL.
Stanford should be favored but the game is on the road and the football can take funny bounces. Stanford’s coach David Shaw will have his players ready.
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