Quarterback Christian Anderson added several explosive runs to Army's ground-and-pound offense Saturday as the Black Knights moved to 4-0 with a 23-10 win over the Miami RedHawks. The loss dropped MU to 1-4 heading into its MAC opener next week against Central Michigan in Oxford.
Anderson left the contest with an injury in the fourth quarter, but he was a stellar presence who played key roles in all three Army touchdowns. It started early, as Anderson ripped off a 72-yard touchdown on the Black Knights' third play from scrimmage.
After Miami hit a 29-yard Graham Nicholson field goal, Anderson struck again with a 65-yard TD scamper on the very next play from scrimmage.
One of two Miami special teams miscues opened the door for three more Army points before intermission. Reikan Donaldson blocked a RedHawks punt and the Black Knights took over at the MU 14 with 8:12 remaining. Miami's defense, however stiffened, and the hosts settled for a 21-yard Cole Talley field goal to make it a 17-3 Army lead at intermission.
Eschewing the fourth-and-goal (from the four) TD option was something of a rarity, since Army converted three of three fourth down tries. Perhaps the biggest came after the Black Knights stopped Miami on its own fourth-and-goal opportunity with 7:13 left in the third period.
Miami's defense held Army to nine yards over three plays, which set up a fourth-and-one from the Black Knight's own 10. Jakobi Buchanan bounced his way to a two-yard gain and first down.
Kameron Butler's hit on Donaldson two plays later jarred the ball loose, but the junior WR managed to fall on it. Army was facing 3rd-and-18 when Anderson worked his magic for yet another big gain. RedHawk defenders seemed to have him caught in the backfield, but the 6-1 senior escaped for 42-yard gain. It was the longest play in an 18-play drive that covered 99 yards and ate up nearly 11 minutes of clock time. Anthony Anderson's four-yard run finished the journey. A PAT kick failed.
Army now held a 23-10 lead, but MU cut into that with its only touchdown of the day. Brett Gabbert found RB Kevin David on Miami's next play from scrimmage, and the 5-9 freshman went down the right sideline for an 80-yard score.
Trailing 23-10, the RedHawks forced a punt. Along the way on Army's next possession, Anderson was injured while throwing a pass. The Black Knights attempted just five passes on the day, completing none. They did, however, run 63 times for a total of 384 yards. A massive 236 of those yards came from Anderson. That turned out to be four yards more than the RedHawks total offense (232 yards) on the day.
When Army took over with 5:56 left, the Black Knights methodically moved down the field, converting two fourth downs along the way, to finish the game.
NOTES:
>> As is typical for Army, it owned a significant edge in time of possession (39:36-20:24).
>> Miami managed just 28 yards rushing on 20 carries (1.4 ypc).
>> MU's Brett Gabbert connected on 11-of-25 passes for 193 yards with one TD . AJ Mayer was 1-of-2 for 11 yards and one interception.
>> The game had just one turnover, with Army picking off a pass. However, the Black Knights also had full or partial blocks on two Miami punts.
>> The RedHawks had just two penalties (6 yards total), while Army drew six flags for 80 total yards.
>> Army punter Zach Harding nailed a 63-yard punt that backed Miami up inside its five-yard line. Miami then picked up minus-one yard on its final possesion.
>> Ivan Pace Jr. (12 tackles) and Kam Butler (11 tackles, 1.5 TFL) led the RedHawks defense.