The Army football team entered this season with high hopes of putting together its first winning season and contending for its first Commander-in-Chief?s Trophy since 1996.
The Black Knights, who face Navy for the 107th time Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, closed out their 2005 campaign by winning four of their last five games and were a respectable 3-3 this year following a 62-7 rout of the Virginia Military Institute Oct. 7.
But their season quickly unraveled with five straight losses while getting outscored, 178-68.
The low point of Army?s season came Nov. 3 against Air Force when the Black Knights (3-8) committed turnovers on four of six plays from scrimmage during the first half of a 43-7 loss. Turnovers have plagued Army all season. The Black Knights have coughed up the ball 35 times ? 22 interceptions and 13 fumbles.
Much of Army?s offensive woes are due to its inconsistent play at quarterback, where coach Bobby Ross turned to freshman Carson Williams after starting the season with junior David Peveto. Army?s passing offense is ranked 113th out of 119 teams, and the quarterbacks are only averaging 131.8 passing yards a game.
“Turnovers are killing us,” said Ross, who is 9-24 in three seasons at West Point. “We?ve got to find a way to develop our passing game. It?s also killed our defense, and that goes with having to play a freshman [at quarterback].”
Army offensive guard Pete Bier said despite the team?s recent struggles, he is confident the Black Knights have enough talent to defeat Navy (8-3).
“We have to execute well for an entire game,” Bier said. “We have to concentrate on things that we can control on the field.”
Army defensive end Cameron Craig said turnovers have not affected the team?s mental psyche.
“We just can?t afford to turn the ball over like that,” Craig said. “But I?ve been proud with how, after each game, the team has rebounded and come back ready to play the next week.”
