The Risk Taker

[Mitch McConnell]

Army coach Rich Ellerson was and was rewarded.

Going for it on fourth and 1 at his 41 to start the second half was pretty darn bold. The Black Knights didn't score on that possession, but they changed the field position knowing the SMU offense was that dysfunctional.

The third down pass that went to (I guess it was their TE) for 17 of their 30 yards (or whatever amount of yards that was) that sealed the game. If that pass is incomplete, we get it back at around our 20 with maybe a 1 minute to play? Perhaps too far for us to get down the field set up for a game-winning FGA (especially since the head coach can't manage his timeouts). Nonethless, Ellerson coached to win the game.

Also, his defense did a pretty nice job creating pressure on the SMU OL. That disruption added to the offense's difficulties. How many times was Padron running for his life or throwing the ball away. That part really surprised me.

His team committed no penalties and no turnovers.

SMU coach June Jones did not and he lost.

On 4th and 2 before the end of the half, June Jones calls for a QB draw? I would hope that was a busted play. I could live with a Zack Line draw being stopped. But that play selection was unacceptable.

And 4th and 4 at the Army 30 against the wind, we attempt at 47-yard FG. I just don't agree with that decision. With that wind, give your PK a better chance. We don't have a 4-yard out rout to Aldrick Robinson or somebody else? Obviously, his rationale that a FG gives SMU the lead but the wind is the biggest problem here. From that distance, I just don't think so.

Jones team committed 3 turnovers and had the only 3 penalties of the game (a very nice low total but they were killers. The PI led to Army's only offensive TD and our holding penalty against Tennison wiped out a big pass play of 30 yards).

The bottom line is that the team that deserved to win the game did.

Oh well. Now, SMU has January to make sure all the commits are lined up. But I think this game does validate what Jones has said that he is about 1-2 more recruiting classes away from fielding a very good team.

It should be interesting to see if Jones is around to see it.

[joeybradford]

They certainly needed just one more thing to go their way, that's for sure, such as the scoop 6 not happening.

[BeatNavy]

We don't have a TE -- the catch was made by WR Davyd Brooks.

[b_caesar]

It was definitely the Black Knight's day, for sure. They could do no wrong, and we couldn't get beyond those ugly white blotches, um, advertisements, on the field.