This year’s bowl season features 35 games. Many people agree that too many teams are afforded the opportunity to finish their season with a bowl game. I can’t say that I disagree.
The minimum eligibility requirement of six wins assures that the bowl games will feature a number of mediocre teams. Army is far from a dominant team, but they deserved to end their season by playing in a bowl game. For the sacrifices that they make for all of us, no one should ever begrudge a bowl appearance by Army, Navy or Air Force (regardless of their record).
The Black Knights do not feature a balanced attack. Everyone knows that they are going to run the ball on almost every play, yet somehow, they manage to methodically move the chains when it matters. Such was the case in their 16-14 victory over SMU in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl.
Despite being out-gained 413-229, while passing for only 30 yards, Army was able to capitalize on SMU’s mistakes. The Black Knights jumped out to a 7-0 lead when Josh McNary scooped up a Kyle Padron fumble and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown. Padron’s two interceptions in the first half thwarted any chance of SMU putting points on the board. The Black Knights went into the locker room at half time leading the Mustangs 16-0. Aside from having an extra point blocked, Army played mistake-free football in the first half.
SMU mounted a comeback in the second half, as Army’s offense sputtered. A pair of Kyle Padron touchdown passes cut Army’s lead to 16-14. SMU had the chance to take the lead with just over 4 minutes remaining in the game, but Matt Szymanski’s 47-yard field goal attempt into the wind sailed wide left. All Army needed to seal the victory was a few first downs, which is easier said than done when your opponent stacks the line against the run.
The game came down to a 3rd and 4 conversion with less than 2 minutes remaining in the game, with SMU having used all of their time outs. Trent Steelman took the snap, rolled right and completed a 22-yard completion to WR Davyd Brooks. Steelman only completed 2 of 7 passes on the day, but when it mattered most, he delivered.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Army’s victory is the discipline that they displayed throughout the game. They never turned the ball over and didn’t receive any penalties.
Although the game was played in SMU’s home stadium due to the construction being done at TCU’s Amon G. Carter Stadium, the Black Knights were well represented with a sea of cadets all dressed in gray.
The Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl was certainly not one for the ages, but for Army and their fans, this game might just as well have been a BCS Bowl game.
Mathieu Carle Lars Eller Hal Gill John Madden Petr Kalus Colton Gilies
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