Michie Stadium was rocking as Bryson Luter crossed the goal line and celebrated a 19-yard touchdown with classmate Godspower Nwawuihe.
Luter, Army’s sophomore quarterback, provided a spark that a struggling Army offense needed, engineering two straight third-quarter touchdown drives to give the Black Knights a 21-17 lead over rival Air Force.
But, the fourth quarter, 15 minutes that Army prides itself on winning, belonged to Air Force.
Army’s defense, which had its moments with a goal-line stand in the fourth quarter, still has its major lapses. Leaving Air Force tight end Simon Kibbee uncovered on what would be the game-winning touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter certainly qualifies as its biggest miscue of the season considering the CIC stakes. Can’t happen.
A head scratcher followed on Army’s next offensive possession when after quarterback Cale Hellums scrambled to move the chains on third down, Army called a second consecutive pass play – about a 10-yard sideline route. Air Force defensive back Korey Johnson came off his man to pick off the pass at the Falcons 44 with 12:26 left. Why a pass on first down and force it into double coverage? Sure, Air Force’s defense had slowed down Army’s run game. But, didn’t need to pass the ball in that situation early in the fourth quarter on first down. One person’s opinion.
The game’s only turnover proved vital as Air Force for the most part ran out the clock.
Credit Army’s defense for the goal-line stand on Air Force’s next drive. But, the offense could only move the ball two yards from its 1-yard line and had to burn a valuable timeout before a third-down play that went nowhere. Taking a delay of game penalty and moving the ball back half the distance from the Army 3, may have been a better call in hindsight. Coach Jeff Monken said in his press conference that offensive coordinator Cody Worley requested a timeout to get the unit in a better play.
Can’t have an opening drive that lasts 8 minutes and 30 seconds and come away with zero points. Especially in a service-academy game. Dawson Jones’ 46-yard field goal attempt into the wind drifted wide right. Monken said he thought about going for it on 4th-and-5 from Air Force 29 but opted for the field goal. Just a tough kick for Jones.
A special teams error led to Air Force’s first touchdown. Punter James Wagenseller moved slightly to his right on a snap, slipped and was ruled down on Army’s 13. Three plays later, Air Force 245-pound fullback-turned-quarterback Kemper Hodges rumbled into the end zone.
One of the low-key turning points of the game was a holding penalty of Army cornerback Julian Porter. Monken wasn’t happy with the call. Air Force’s receiver and Porter ran into each other. The receiver apparently grabbed Porter’s facemask. Porter was the one flagged on the third-down pass, keeping Air Force’s drive alive. The Falcons would have punted instead they scored a touchdown with seven seconds left in the half. Monken paused for a good five seconds, holding himself back from going into depth on the call.
“I can’t say anything,” Monken said. “They will send us a bill in the mail.”
Army was still a play or two away from winning the game despite the opening drive, special teams blunder and late Air Force first-half touchdown.
Asked Monken if Luter’s play makes a case for him to be on the field more the rest of the season, he said, “Sure, I think so…He just got going today. He was giving us a good chance to move the football. I think there will be more opportunities for him because of that.”
The health status is concerning for two of Army’s starting offensive lineman is concerning. Four-year starting center Brady Small injured his ankle on Army’s final offensive play. He walked gingerly to the locker room before the final whistle. Starting left guard Kyle Kloska was in a boot after Army’s first series of the game and didn’t return.
The Black Knights have a bye week before hosting East Carolina. Small has started every game in his career for Army – a streak of 48.
