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Army tries to maintain excellence after record-setting 2018
WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) — Five years ago Jeff Monken faced a daunting challenge when he was hired at Army: Resurrect a program that had one winning season under six coaches over a 17-year span.
Now he's faced with a task that might be even more difficult. After three straight winning seasons, three consecutive victories against Navy and two outright Commander in Chief's trophies, the Black Knights are trying to maintain their status as the nation's best service academy football team.
Last year's team won a school-record 11 games and finished with its highest final ranking in the AP poll (No. 19) since 1958.
"What we've done in past seasons has nothing to do with what this team will do," Monken said as he prepared for Friday night's Black and Gold game that ends spring ball. "This team will decide what they'd like to accomplish and then decide how hard they want to work towards those goals.
"I hope they've got high hopes and lofty goals. I certainly do if they would ask me. But it's not important what I want. It's what they want."
Spring ball brought in the usual bunch of new faces, and there are some big holes to fill.
"Hopefully, we got some of those guys in place and they'll be able to contribute and help us in the fall," Monken said. "If that happens, then we probably accomplished what we hoped to this spring, but it's hard to say how much we've accomplished."
The Black Knights have become accustomed to winning and expect an encore performance.
"I think, and I mean this in all sincerity, that we're going to have a better team this coming year than we did this past year," said linebacker Cole Christiansen, a captain last season as a junior. "The guys that we lost are great players and their places are going to be hard to fill, but the guys coming up are equally athletic and they learn quickly — faster than any young guys I've seen so far."
Army starts next season Aug. 30 against Rice at Michie Stadium.
FULLBACK TURNOVER
Army's stable of fullbacks was a big reason the Black Knights topped the nation in conversions on third (112 of 196) and fourth (31 of 36) down as well as time of possession (38 minutes). Gone are Darnell Woolfolk, Andy Davidson and Calen Holt, who combined for 1,474 yards and 16 TDs.
Connor Slomka (324 yards rushing, 4.4 per carry) likely will assume the role of workhorse in place of Woolfolk.
"There's a lot of production there to replace, but we have the components and the guys that can do it," said quarterback Kelvin Hopkins Jr., who averaged 84.7 yards rushing per game.
Also gone is offensive lineman Bryce Holland, a big part of the offense's success.
SENIOR LEADER
Hopkins guided an attack that ranked second nationally in rushing last year (312.5 yards per game) and capped his junior season with a record-setting performance in the Armed Forces Bowl , rushing for five touchdowns in a 70-14 victory over Houston. He also took care of the ball — the offense lost just five fumbles and threw three interceptions. The eight turnovers were the second-fewest nationally.
SOONER EFFECT
Last year's team was undefeated at home and demonstrated it was special when it nearly beat Oklahoma on the road in late September , losing in overtime to one of the four teams that made it to the College Football Playoff.
"It just is confirmation for our players, what we tell them all the time," Monken said. "If we play the way we're capable of playing, the best we're capable of playing, then we'll have a chance to win every single game."
RETOOLED DEFENSE
Army loses seven starters on defense, including linebackers Kenneth Brinson and James Nachtigal, who combined for 126 tackles, 14 sacks and seven forced fumbles on a unit that ranked eighth nationally (295.5 yards per game). The secondary remains a strong point with Elijah Riley and Jaylon McClinton, who combined for 109 tackles, 11.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and two interceptions.
DEPTH ISSUE
After Hopkins, the Black Knights are slim on experience at quarterback, and that's a concern. Backup Cam Thomas decided to transfer in January.
"I'd just like to see it be more solidified than it is," Monken said. "I don't know who the backup's going to be and what that's going to look like. I certainly have a lot of confidence in Kelvin, not only as a player but as a leader, but we need more than one."
