2018 Army Black Knights football team explained

Year:	2018
Team:	Army Black Knights
Sport:	football
Conference:	Independent
Coachrank:	20
Aprank:	19
Record:	11–2
Head Coach:	Jeff Monken
Hc Year:	5th
Off Coach:	Brent Davis
Oc Year:	5th
Off Scheme:	Triple option
Def Coach:	Jay Bateman
Dc Year:	5th
Def Scheme:	3–4
Captain:	Cole Christiansen
Captain2:	Bryce Holland
Captain3:	Darnell Woolfolk
Stadium:	Michie Stadium
Champion:	Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy Armed Forces Bowl champion
Bowl:	Armed Forces Bowl
Bowl Result:	W 70–14 vs. Houston

The 2018 Army Black Knights football team represented the United States Military Academy as an independent in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Black Knights were led by fifth-year head coach Jeff Monken and played their home games at Michie Stadium. Following their 28–14 victory over Colgate in Week 12, Army entered the AP Poll at No. 23 and the Coaches' Poll at No. 24, the first time Army had entered the national rankings since finishing the 1996 season at No. 25 in the AP and No. 24 in the Coaches'. On December 2, Army accepted an invite to participate in the Armed Forces Bowl against the Houston Cougars of the American Athletic Conference.^[1] On December 8, Army defeated its archrival Navy by a score of 17–10, increasing their Army-Navy Game win streak to three in a row and winning the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy for the second straight year. With the win the Black Knights also secured their second straight 10-win season, the first time that had been accomplished in the Academy's long and storied history. In the Armed Forces Bowl, they defeated Houston by a score of 70–14 to tie NCAA bowl game records for points scored and margin of victory.^[2] Their 11 wins are the most in one season in program history. As a result of his team's 2018 accomplishments, Coach Monken was awarded the George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Award by the Maxwell Football Club,^[3] the Vince Lombardi College Football Coach of the Year Award by the Lombardi Foundation,^[4] and the President's Award by the Touchdown Club of Columbus.^[5] Army finished the season with a ranking of No. 19 in the AP Poll^[6] and No. 20 in the Coaches' Poll,^[7] their highest finish in both polls since Pete Dawkins's Heisman Trophy-winning season in 1958 where the Cadets finished No. 3 in both polls. Following the completion of the season, the Black Knights were awarded the 2018 Lambert Trophy by the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and Metropolitan New York Football Writers, signifying them as the best team in the East in Division I FBS.^[8] This was the eighth overall time the Lambert Trophy had been awarded to Army, and the first since 1958.

Preseason

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released

Rimington Trophy^[9]	Bryce Holland	C	SR
Maxwell Award^[10]	Darnell Woolfolk	FB	SR
Bronko Nagurski Trophy^[11]	James Nachtigal	LB	SR
Paul Hornung Award^[12]	Kell Walker	SB/KR	JR
Walter Camp Award^[13]	Darnell Woolfolk	FB	SR

Personnel

Roster

2018 Army Black Knights roster

Quarterbacks

Tyhier Tyler, Freshman
Cam Thomas, Sophomore
Matthew Armstrong, Freshman
Kelvin Hopkins Jr., Junior
Luke Langdon, Senior
Jabari Laws, Freshman
Christian Anderson, Sophomore
Clay Czyzynski, Freshman
Mike Mbony, Freshman

Slot backs

Jordan Asberry, Senior
Kell Walker, Junior
Jordan Blackman, Sophomore
JC Watson, Freshman
Malik Hancock, Junior
Dominic Distefano, Sophomore
David Woodward, Freshman
Zack Boobas, Sophomore
Donnell Diego, Sophomore
Brandon Walters, Freshman
A.J. Howard, Freshman
Artice Hobbs IV, Sophomore
Krys Kyle, Freshman
Ton Evans, Freshman
Landry Songer, Freshman
Markens Pierre, Freshman
Chambo Liddell-Patacsil, Sophomore

Fullbacks

Calen Holt, Senior
Connor Slomka, Junior
Cade Barnard, Freshman
Sandon McCoy, Sophomore
Darnell Woolfolk, Senior
Rashaad Bolton, Junior
Andy Davidson, Senior
Kaelin Byrd, Freshman

Wide receivers

Glen Coates, Junior
Michael Roberts, Freshman
Cameron Johnson, Freshman
Sean Eckert, Freshman
Daniel Zuloaga, Freshman
Chris Gregg, Junior
Ke'Shaun Wells, Sophomore
Kjetil Cline, Junior
Kevin Hamilton, Freshman
Christian Hayes, Junior
Kraig Hamilton, Freshman
Camden Harrison, Sophomore
Jalen Moy, Freshman

Long snappers

Paul Lawless, Sophomore
Brendan Knoespel, Freshman
Kyle O'Connor, Sophomore
Gavyn Jones, Freshman
Scott Flanick, Senior

Tight ends

Bryton Belvin, Freshman
Ted Wages IV, Sophomore
Chris Cameron, Freshman
Jake Lauer, Sophomore
Zach Saum, Senior
Quinten Parker, Senior

Offensive Lineman

Will Schumacher, Sophomore
Kyle Perry, Freshman
Sam Backenstoe, Freshman
Nick Kotok, Freshman
Jeff Panara, Senior
Mason Kolinchak, Freshman
JB Hunter, Sophomore
Aaron Baudoux, Freshman
Andrew Kraatz, Freshman
Harmon Saint Germain, Freshman
Mike Johnson, Junior
Alex Herndon, Junior
Jack Topping, Freshman
Jake Baumert, Junior
Will Huff, Junior
Bryce Holland, Senior
Noah Knapp, Freshman
Dean Powell, Freshman
Luke McCleery, Sophomore
Dan Lord, Freshman
Zack Ward, Freshman
Kamaron Holloway, Freshman
Jaxson Deaton, Junior
Austin Schuffert, Senior
Jack Sides, Junior
Peyton Reeder, Sophomore
Noah Utley, Junior
Holton Greenfield, Freshman

Defensive line

Edriece Patterson, Sophomore
Jacob Covington, Junior
Ke'Shawn Sullivan, Freshman
Hunter Richard, Freshman
Jon King, Sophomore
Nolan Cockrill, Freshman
Ryan Duran III, Freshman
Scott Murphy, Freshman
Nick Stokes, Sophomore
Raymond Wright, Senior
Ryan Matz, Freshman
Jack Hough, Sophomore
Wunmi Oyetuga, Senior
Eddie Crutchfield, Freshman
Rod Stoddard, Junior
Alex Crawford, Sophomore
Emmanuel Ukhueligbe, Sophomore
Mackay Phillips, Sophomore
Kwabena Bonsu, Freshman
Connor Smith, Sophomore
Cordarrell Davis, Senior

Linebackers

Donavan Lynch, Junior
Ryan Parker, Junior
Jake Ellington, Junior
James Nachtigal, Senior
Chandler Ramirez, Senior
Jack King, Junior
Nate Jones, Freshman
Aaron Jones, Sophomore
Duncan Van Kouteren, Freshman
Ray Gonzalez, Freshman
Jeremiah Lowery, Sophomore
Gavin Bassett, Sophomore
Hayden Bollinger, Freshman
Briar Bearss, Freshman
Jon Rhattigan, Sophomore
Wilson Catoe, Freshman
Jake Killian, Freshman
Kemonte Yow, Freshman
Amadeo West, Junior
Arik Smith, Freshman
Cole Christiansen, Junior
Kenneth Brinson, Senior
Paul Stanley, Freshman

Defensive backs

James Gibson, Senior
Max Regan, Senior
Ryan Velez, Junior
Akyah Miranda, Freshman
Jaylon McClinton, Junior
Javhari Bourdeau, Sophomore
Mike Reynolds, Senior
Chris Skyers, Sophomore
Jalen Sharp, Senior
Tavores Pearson, Freshman
Cam Jones, Junior
Malkelm Morrison, Freshman
Dean Ngendakuriyo, Sophomore
Julian McDuffie, Freshman
Elijah Riley, Junior
Caleb John, Freshman
Cameron Clarke, Freshman
Wallace Barrett, Sophomore
Morgan Ernst, Freshman
Joe Stephenson, Sophomore
Jonathan Andrews, Freshman
Cedrick Cunningham Jr., Freshman
Michael Williams, Freshman
Luke Cameron, Freshman
Chido Rwakonda, Freshman

Kickers

Landon Salyers, Sophomore
John Abercrombie, Senior
Nick Schrage, Senior
Miller Kronk, Freshman
David Cooper, Junior
Michael Leisle, Sophomore
Bailey Schroeder, Freshman

Punters

Zach Potter, Junior
Brooks Hosea, Freshman
Zach Harding, Freshman
J.D. Mote, Senior
Will Hetzinger, Freshman

http://goarmywestpoint.com/roster.aspx?path=football

Schedule

^[14] ^[15]

Game summaries

At Duke

Statistics	ARMY	DUKE
First downs	18	19
3rd down efficiency	5–14	2–9
4th down efficiency	4–4	1–1
Plays–yards	68–365	52–381
Rushes–yards	47–168	35–184
Passing yards	197	197
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	10–21–0	13–17–0
Penalties–yards	7–69	4–30
Turnovers	2	1
Time of possession	36:06	23:54

Liberty

Statistics	LIB	ARMY
First downs	21	28
3rd down efficiency	5–12	6–14
4th down efficiency	0–1	2–2
Plays–yards	60–417	82–510
Rushes–yards	23–110	74–449
Passing yards	307	61
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	19–37–1	2–8–0
Penalties–yards	6–27	7–100
Turnovers	3	0
Time of possession	18:30	41:30

Hawaii

Statistics	HAW	ARMY
First downs	15	18
3rd down efficiency	1–7	11–19
4th down efficiency	0–2	3–4
Plays–yards	45–362	76–465
Rushes–yards	13–41	66–303
Passing yards	321	162
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	20–32–0	6–10–0
Penalties–yards	5–30	5–70
Turnovers	0	0
Time of possession	18:42	41:18

At Oklahoma

Statistics	ARMY	OU
First downs	26	19
3rd down efficiency	13–21	1–3
4th down efficiency	4–5	0–1
Plays–yards	87–379	40–355
Rushes–yards	78–339	25–190
Passing yards	40	165
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	3–9–2	11–15–1
Penalties–yards	6–50	4–20
Turnovers	2	1
Time of possession	44:41	15:19

At Buffalo

Statistics	ARMY	UB
First downs	25	14
3rd down efficiency	9–14	2–11
4th down efficiency	3–3	0–2
Plays–yards	69–372	55–255
Rushes–yards	64–281	31–103
Passing yards	91	152
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	4–5–1	10–24–0
Penalties–yards	7–73	7–78
Turnovers	1	0
Time of possession	37:34	22:26

Vs. San Jose State

Statistics	ARMY	SJSU
First downs	23	10
3rd down efficiency	10–16	4–11
4th down efficiency	3–3	0–0
Plays–yards	70–395	48–171
Rushes–yards	65–341	30–36
Passing yards	54	135
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	2–5–0	13–18–0
Penalties–yards	3–15	7–55
Turnovers	0	4
Time of possession	37:17	22:43

Miami (OH)

Statistics	MIAMI	ARMY
First downs	23	20
3rd down efficiency	5–18	8–17
4th down efficiency	7–9	3–4
Plays–yards	80–406	76–347
Rushes–yards	27–77	74–347
Passing yards	329	0
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	30–53–0	0–2–0
Penalties–yards	8–56	1–5
Turnovers	0	0
Time of possession	23:52	36:08

At Eastern Michigan

Statistics	ARMY	EMU
First downs	27	10
3rd down efficiency	10–19	1–7
4th down efficiency	4–4	1–2
Plays–yards	81–415	40–235
Rushes–yards	73–289	11–34
Passing yards	126	201
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	7–8–0	19–29–0
Penalties–yards	3–25	8–75
Turnovers	0	1
Time of possession	45:42	14:18

Air Force

Statistics	AFA	ARMY
First downs	17	16
3rd down efficiency	3–9	8–16
4th down efficiency	1–3	3–3
Plays–yards	57–322	64–286
Rushes–yards	35–125	59–242
Passing yards	197	44
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	12–22–1	3–5–0
Penalties–yards	5–55	5–69
Turnovers	1	0
Time of possession	22:28	37:32

Lafayette

Statistics	LAF	ARMY
First downs	9	23
3rd down efficiency	2–8	12–13
4th down efficiency	1–1	0–0
Plays–yards	40–159	63–408
Rushes–yards	24–83	57–313
Passing yards	76	95
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	9–16–0	5–6–0
Penalties–yards	1–5	6–40
Turnovers	0	1
Time of possession	21:58	38:02

Colgate

Statistics	GATE	ARMY
First downs	13	21
3rd down efficiency	2–8	8–12
4th down efficiency	0–2	1–1
Plays–yards	44–251	65–286
Rushes–yards	28–188	59–261
Passing yards	63	25
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	11–16–0	2–6–0
Penalties–yards	7–55	3–25
Turnovers	1	1
Time of possession	24:04	35:56

Vs. Navy

Statistics	NAVY	ARMY
First downs	11	12
3rd down efficiency	3–13	5–14
4th down efficiency	2–3	1–3
Plays–yards	54–208	59–283
Rushes–yards	37–127	50–222
Passing yards	81	61
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	5–17–2	4–9–0
Penalties–yards	5–30	3–25
Turnovers	4	0
Time of possession	25:39	34:21

Vs. Houston – Armed Forces Bowl

Statistics	HOU	ARMY
First downs	23	27
3rd down efficiency	3–13	7–7
4th down efficiency	2–3	0–0
Plays–yards	73–320	62–592
Rushes–yards	41–90	58–507
Passing yards	230	85
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	21–32–0	4–4–0
Penalties–yards	5–33	7–60
Turnovers	2	1
Time of possession	24:55	35:05

Notes and References

Web site: Houston and Army West Point Selected for 2018 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl . Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl . 4 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181203152053/http://www.armedforcesbowl.com/pr/houston-and-army-west-point-selected-2018-lockheed-martin-armed-forces-bowl . 3 December 2018 . dead .
Web site: Army West Point dominates en route to 70-14 victory . . 26 December 2018.
Maxwell Football Club Announces Army West Point's Jeff Monken as George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year . . January 3, 2019 . January 3, 2019.
Web site: Monken Recognized as the Lombardi Coach of Year . USMA Athletic Department . January 8, 2019 . January 8, 2019.
Web site: Army Head Coach Jeff Monken Wins 2018 President's Award . . January 4, 2019 . January 6, 2019 .
Web site: 2018 AP Top 25 Poll Week 16 (Final) . collegefootball.ap.org . January 8, 2019 . January 8, 2019.
Web site: 2018 Amway Coaches' Top 25 Poll Week 16 (Final) . USAToday.com . January 8, 2019 . January 8, 2019.
Web site: ECAC Announces 2018 Football Teams of the Year and Lambert Awards . ECACsports.com . January 15, 2019 . January 15, 2019.
Web site: Rimington Trophy Press Release. May 30, 2018. July 14, 2018.
Web site: 2018 Maxwell Award Watch List. July 16, 2018. July 17, 2018. July 16, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180716194824/https://www.maxwellfootballclub.org/2018-maxwell-watch-list/. dead.
Web site: 2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List. July 24, 2018. July 24, 2018.
Web site: 43 PLAYERS NAMED TO 2018 PAUL HORNUNG AWARD WATCH LIST. July 26, 2018. July 26, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180726201637/http://www.louisvillesports.org/ph-article/43-players-named-to-2018-paul-hornung-award-watch-list/. July 26, 2018. dead. mdy-all.
Web site: Walter Camp Football Foundation Announces 2018 Player of the Year Preseason “Watch List”. Carbone. Al. July 27, 2018. July 30, 2018.
Web site: 2018 Army Black Knights football schedule. Athletics at the United States Military Academy. 6 February 2018.
Web site: Army–San Jose State Game Moved to Levi's® Stadium . . 13 August 2018.