The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2019 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 129 BY ANDREW HUSSEY Under head coach Jeff Monken, the Army football program has found a level of success it never had before. In the past three seasons, the Black Knights have won 29 games, which is the most in any three-year stretch in program history. Army's 11 wins in 2018 were an Academy record and they enter the season on a nine-game winning streak — the second longest active streak in the nation. Prior to Monken's arrival in 2014, the program had won eight or more games only once since 2000. In the years since, the coach has quickly turned Army around. Army's resurgence has a lot to do with its strong offense. In 2018, the Black Knights scored 32.8 points per game, which ranked 35th in the nation. The attack is led by senior quarterback Kelvin Hopkins Jr., who was Army's lead- ing rusher and passer in 2018. The 5-10, 205-pounder threw for 1,026 yards while adding 1,078 yards on the ground to became the first player in school history to rush and pass for at least 1,000 yards in a season. His 17 rushing touchdowns tied the single- season program record. While the ground game lost running back Darnell Woolfolk, who ran for 956 yards and 14 touchdowns last fall, the Black Knights have a ready-made replacement in senior Kell Walker. In limited action last season, the 5-9, 195-pound Walker had 320 rushing yards. On defense, Army is undergoing a large transition after successful coordinator Jay Bateman left for a job at North Carolina. Last season's defense allowed only 17.7 points per game, which was good for 10th in the country, and 295.5 yards per game, which ranked eighth. Army had success stopping the run and opponents averaged a paltry 106.8 yards per game, which ranked 10th in the country. However, the unit returns just four start- ers — and only one in the front seven. While Army is losing significant talent on the first two levels, its secondary should continue its strong play with three starters returning. The anchor of Army's secondary in 2019 will be senior cornerback Elijah Riley, who was only one of seven Football Bowl Subdi- vision defenders — and only one of two cor- ners — to reach at least 7.5 tackles for loss and 10 passes defended. On the opposite side of Riley is junior Javhari Bourdeau, who had 21 tackles (three for loss) in 2018. The Black Knights also return senior safe- ties Jaylon McClinton and Cameron Jones. McClinton made 54 tackles (four for loss) and broke up six passes in 2018, while Jones posted 32 stops (3.5 for loss) and four passes broken up. The lone returning starter in the front seven is senior linebacker Cole Christian- sen, who led the team with 12 tackles for loss in 2018. More will be needed from the 6-2, 225-pounder, though, following the loss of leading tackler James Nachtigal, who had 97 tackles (nine for loss) in 2018. While Army's defense will likely take a step back in 2018 due to the exodus of talent and coaching, its offense could continue to be a top-tier attack nationally. Other than Army's trip to Michigan, the Black Knights' remaining 11 games are rather manageable — they don't play an- other Power Five team. Notes The Black Knights are one of 13 Football Bowl Subdivision programs with at least 21 victories in the last two seasons … Army ranked second in the FBS with 312.5 rushing yards per game last season … The Black Knights averaged 5.4 yards to go on third down in 2018, which led the FBS … Army has beaten Navy three straight years for the first time since win - ning five in a row from 1992-96. ❑ Jeff Monken Has Army Reaching Historic Heights 2019 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2018 Result Aug. 30 Rice — Sept. 7 at Michigan — Sept. 14 at UTSA — Sept. 21 Morgan State — Oct. 5 Tulane — Oct. 13 at Western Kentucky — Oct. 19 at Georgia State — Oct. 26 San Jose State W, 52-3 Nov. 2 at Air Force W, 17-14 Nov. 9 Massachusetts — Nov. 16 VMI — Nov. 30 at Hawai'i W, 28-21 Dec. 14 vs. Navy* W, 17-7 * at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia PLAYERS TO WATCH Offense: Kell Walker, Jr., RB — Had 320 yards on 67 carries last season for an average of 4.8 yards per rush … Also caught 11 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown in 2018 … Has 1,327 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground in his career … In 2017, he compiled a ca - reer-high 629 yards and six scores on just 86 totes (7.3-yard average). Defense: Cole Christiansen, Sr., LB — Named first-team All- Independent in 2018 … Led the team with 12 tackles for loss and ranked second with 77 total stops last season. Last year as a junior, quarterback Kelvin Hop- kins Jr. became the first player in Army his- tory to pass (1,026) and rush (1,017) for more than 1,000 yards in the same season. PHOTO COURTESY ARMY GAME 2 • ARMY BLACK KNIGHTS • SEPT. 7 QUICK FACTS All-Time Series: Army leads 5-4 First Meeting: Army 28, U-M 7 (Oct. 13, 1945 at New York) Last Meeting: U-M 17, Army 7 (Oct. 6, 1962 at Ann Arbor) Head Coach: Jeff Monken, 35-28 at Army (6th year) and 73-44 overall (10th year) 2018 In Review: 11-2 Final 2018 Ranking: No. 19 Associated Press poll and No. 20 coaches' poll Returning Starters: 9 (5 offense, 4 defense) Last Bowl Appearance: 2018 (Armed Forces Bowl vs. Houston, W 70-14) RETURNING LEADERS Passing: Kelvin Hopkins Jr. (1,026 yards, 6 TD, 3 INT) Rushing: Hopkins (1,078 yards, 17 TD) Receiving: Kell Walker (170 yards, 1 TD) Tackles: Cole Christiansen (77) Sacks: Edriece Patterson (2) Interceptions: Jaylon McClinton (2)