UB Stadium -- Buffalo, NY
If you want to see some classic run game vs pass game action, then maybe UB Stadium is the place to go this weekend.
The Army Black Knights will be in town, and that means heaping helpings of option football. Unless they’re waaaay behind, Army might pass a handfull (or two hands full at most) of times during a game.
Buffalo, on the other hand, is particularly dangerous with the passing game. Sure, the Bulls can run and are ranked sixth of 12 MAC teams in rushing yards. Freshman Kevin Mark is sixth among MAC rushers, averaging 70.5 ypg.).
However, opponents are keenly away of just how lethal the Bulls passing game can be -- capable of big strikes from almost anywhere on the field
Junior quarterback Tyree Jackson is currently ranked No. 21 nationally in pass efficiency and is tied for third in passing TDs (15).
One of his many targets is wideout K.J. Osborn, who has caught five of those ball scores, good for a tie at No. 6 nationally.
It may not be a MAC conference game, but at 4-0 for the first time since 1981, Buffalo is anxious to keep rumbling in the win column.
This is the sixth all-time meeting between the two programs, with each team winning three. Army won the most recent contest, 21-17. The Knights secured that win with a fake punt on 4th-and-5 late in the game.
➤➤ It is the Knights fifth year under head coach Jeff Monken, who seems to have the program on the upswing. Army has gone 8-5 and 10-3 over the last two seasons.
➤➤ Like the Air Force and Navy academies, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point is both a university and preparatory vehicle for future officers. A number have gone on to become presidents. Dwight D. Eisenhauer is one example, and in his case he carried his army playing experience and loyalty close to his heart throughout his life.
Eisenhauer was undersized and so are “academy” teams by today’s standards. They just don’t have 300-plus pound officers. Consequently, the academies typically use option-related offenses, which allow them to compete with the big boys.
➤➤ Sometimes they beat the big boys, and that almost happened last week when Army took the Sooners into overtime before falling
➤➤ Interested in how Army’s flex option works? This might help. Click HERE.
➤➤ The Black Knights have also been solid away from West Point, winning five of their last 10 road contests, dropping three of those games to No. 8 Ohio State in 2017 and a currently undefeated No. 22 Duke and No. 6 Oklahoma teams this season.
➤➤ Army’s running game has been back to form since its opener at Duke back on Aug. 21. Over the last three contests the Black Knights are averaging 363.7 rushing yards and have scored 11 of their 12 touchdowns via the ground game.
➤➤ Junior quarterback Kelvin Hopkins Jr. is currently leading the way with 308 rushing yards, including back-to-back 100-yard performances opposite Hawai’i and Oklahoma.
➤➤ Following closely behind is senior captain Darnell Woolfolk, who has posted 259 yards and is one touchdown behind Hopkins for the team high. Hopkins has scored four rushing TDs, while Woolfolk has found paydirt three times.
➤➤ Despite having two late interceptons in the contest with Oklahoma, the Black Knights have been mostly able to maintain possession of the football when they have it. In the last three years the Black Knights are undefeated (9-0) when they don’t lose the football. Over Coach Jef Monken’s tenure (fve years), Army is 10-4 in that situation.
➤➤ The Black Knights’ veteran defense came up clutch in key situations against the high-powered offenses of Hawaii and Oklahoma during their last two games. The Rainbow Warriors came into their game with Army averaging 48 points, while the Sooners were averaging 50 points per outing. On both occasions, the Black Knights held their foe to under their season minimum at 21 and 28 points, respectively.
➤➤ After leading the nation in rushing just a year ago, the Black Knights are back in the Top-10 in that category, averaging 314.8 yards (4th nationally) over their last four contests.
➤➤ Alejandro Villanueva, a 2010 West Point graduate, is with the Pittsburgh Steelers and signed a big contract this of season to remain in Pittsburgh on the offensive line.
Villanueva served two tours overseas before joining the National Football League. He has made a big impact for the Steelers over the last two seasons as a starter. Villanueva was used as a tight end and defensive lineman at Army
BUFFALO BULLS (4-0, 1-0 MAC)
➤➤ Osborne and Anthony Johnson have combined for 37 catches, 638 yards and eight touchdowns. Both are averaging just over 17 yards per catch. Osborn’s longest catch went for 75 yards, while Johnson has a 59-yarder to his credit.
Freshman Charlie Jones has also been productive, contributing 166 yards and three scores on his seven receptions. He has a long of 53 yards.
➤➤ With such an explosive offense, kicker Adam Mitcheson has been very busy with extra points, connecting on 20 of 22. However, he owns just one field goal attempt, which was good from 46 yards.
➤➤ Freshman Kevin Marks (6-0, 200) has five of UB’s eight rushing touchdowns. Jaret Patterson, also a freshman, has the other three scores to his credit. Add Emmanuel Reed into the mix, and the trio combines for 122 attempts, and 569 yards.
➤➤ Northern Illinois has ecorded 11 sacks, second behind Northern Illinois. It has also surrendered zero sacks on its own quarterback.
➤➤ UB is plus-4 in turnover margin through four games. The 1.0 pergame is tied for second best among MAC teams. The Bulls are also No. 1 in penalties (35.8 ypg).