The 2018 Army Black Knights football team represented the United States Military Academy as an independent in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Black Knights were led by fifth-year head coach Jeff Monken and played their home games at Michie Stadium. Following their 28–14 victory over Colgate in Week 12, Army entered the AP Poll at No. 23 and the Coaches' Poll at No. 24, the first time Army had entered the national rankings since finishing the 1996 season at No. 25 in the AP and No. 24 in the Coaches'. On December 2, Army accepted an invite to participate in the Armed Forces Bowl against the Houston Cougars of the American Athletic Conference. On December 8, Army defeated its archrival Navy by a score of 17–10, increasing their Army–Navy Game win streak to three in a row and winning the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy for the second straight year. With the win the Black Knights also secured their second straight 10-win season, the first time that had been accomplished in the Academy's long and storied history. In the Armed Forces Bowl, they defeated Houston by a score of 70–14 to tie NCAA bowl game records for points scored and margin of victory. Their 11 wins are the most in one season in program history. As a result of his team's 2018 accomplishments, Coach Monken was awarded the George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Award by the Maxwell Football Club, the Vince Lombardi College Football Coach of the Year Award by the Lombardi Foundation, and the President's Award by the Touchdown Club of Columbus. Army finished the season with a ranking of No. 19 in the AP Poll and No. 20 in the Coaches' Poll, their highest finish in both polls since Pete Dawkins's Heisman Trophy-winning season in 1958 where the Cadets finished No. 3 in both polls. Following the completion of the season, the Black Knights were awarded the 2018 Lambert Trophy by the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and Metropolitan New York Football Writers, signifying them as the best team in the East in Division I FBS. This was the eighth overall time the Lambert Trophy had been awarded to Army, and the first since 1958.
Preseason
Award watch lists Listed in the order that they were released Rimington TrophyBryce HollandCSRMaxwell AwardDarnell WoolfolkFBSRBronko Nagurski TrophyJames NachtigalLBSRPaul Hornung AwardKell WalkerSB/KRJRWalter Camp AwardDarnell WoolfolkFBSR
Personnel
Roster 2018 Army Black Knights rosterQuarterbacks Tyhier Tyler, Freshman Cam Thomas, Sophomore Matthew Armstrong, Freshman Kelvin Hopkins Jr., Junior Luke Langdon, Senior Jabari Laws, Freshman Christian Anderson, Sophomore Clay Czyzynski, Freshman Mike Mbony, Freshman
Slot backs Jordan Asberry, Senior Kell Walker, Junior Jordan Blackman, Sophomore JC Watson, Freshman Malik Hancock, Junior Dominic Distefano, Sophomore David Woodward, Freshman Zack Boobas, Sophomore Donnell Diego, Sophomore Brandon Walters, Freshman A.J. Howard, Freshman Artice Hobbs IV, Sophomore Krys Kyle, Freshman Ton Evans, Freshman Landry Songer, Freshman Markens Pierre, Freshman Chambo Liddell-Patacsil, Sophomore
Fullbacks Calen Holt, Senior Connor Slomka, Junior Cade Barnard, Freshman Sandon McCoy, Sophomore Darnell Woolfolk, Senior Rashaad Bolton, Junior Andy Davidson, Senior Kaelin Byrd, Freshman
Wide receivers Glen Coates, Junior Michael Roberts, Freshman Cameron Johnson, Freshman Sean Eckert, Freshman Daniel Zuloaga, Freshman Chris Gregg, Junior Ke'Shaun Wells, Sophomore Kjetil Cline, Junior Kevin Hamilton, Freshman Christian Hayes, Junior Kraig Hamilton, Freshman Camden Harrison, Sophomore Jalen Moy, Freshman
Long snappers Paul Lawless, Sophomore Brendan Knoespel, Freshman Kyle O'Connor, Sophomore Gavyn Jones, Freshman Scott Flanick, Senior Tight ends Bryton Belvin, Freshman Ted Wages IV, Sophomore Chris Cameron, Freshman Jake Lauer, Sophomore Zach Saum, Senior Quinten Parker, Senior
Offensive Lineman Will Schumacher, Sophomore Kyle Perry, Freshman Sam Backenstoe, Freshman Nick Kotok, Freshman Jeff Panara, Senior Mason Kolinchak, Freshman JB Hunter, Sophomore Aaron Baudoux, Freshman Andrew Kraatz, Freshman Harmon Saint Germain, Freshman Mike Johnson, Junior Alex Herndon, Junior Jack Topping, Freshman Jake Baumert, Junior Will Huff, Junior Bryce Holland, Senior Noah Knapp, Freshman Dean Powell, Freshman Luke McCleery, Sophomore Dan Lord, Freshman Zack Ward, Freshman Kamaron Holloway, Freshman Jaxson Deaton, Junior Austin Schuffert, Senior Jack Sides, Junior Peyton Reeder, Sophomore Noah Utley, Junior Holton Greenfield, Freshman
Defensive line Edriece Patterson, Sophomore Jacob Covington, Junior Ke'Shawn Sullivan, Freshman Hunter Richard, Freshman Jon King, Sophomore Nolan Cockrill, Freshman Ryan Duran III, Freshman Scott Murphy, Freshman Nick Stokes, Sophomore Raymond Wright, Senior Ryan Matz, Freshman Jack Hough, Sophomore Wunmi Oyetuga, Senior Eddie Crutchfield, Freshman Rod Stoddard, Junior Alex Crawford, Sophomore Emmanuel Ukhueligbe, Sophomore Mackay Phillips, Sophomore Kwabena Bonsu, Freshman Connor Smith, Sophomore Cordarrell Davis, Senior Linebackers Donavan Lynch, Junior Ryan Parker, Junior Jake Ellington, Junior James Nachtigal, Senior Chandler Ramirez, Senior Jack King, Junior Nate Jones, Freshman Aaron Jones, Sophomore Duncan Van Kouteren, Freshman Ray Gonzalez, Freshman Jeremiah Lowery, Sophomore Gavin Bassett, Sophomore Hayden Bollinger, Freshman Briar Bearss, Freshman Jon Rhattigan, Sophomore Wilson Catoe, Freshman Jake Killian, Freshman Kemonte Yow, Freshman Amadeo West, Junior Arik Smith, Freshman Cole Christiansen, Junior Kenneth Brinson, Senior Paul Stanley, Freshman
Defensive backs James Gibson, Senior Max Regan, Senior Ryan Velez, Junior Akyah Miranda, Freshman Jaylon McClinton, Junior Javhari Bourdeau, Sophomore Mike Reynolds, Senior Chris Skyers, Sophomore Jalen Sharp, Senior Tavores Pearson, Freshman Cam Jones, Junior Malkelm Morrison, Freshman Dean Ngendakuriyo, Sophomore Julian McDuffie, Freshman Elijah Riley, Junior Caleb John, Freshman Cameron Clarke, Freshman Wallace Barrett, Sophomore Morgan Ernst, Freshman Joe Stephenson, Sophomore Jonathan Andrews, Freshman Cedrick Cunningham Jr., Freshman Michael Williams, Freshman Luke Cameron, Freshman Chido Rwakonda, Freshman
Kickers Landon Salyers, Sophomore John Abercrombie, Senior Nick Schrage, Senior Miller Kronk, Freshman David Cooper, Junior Michael Leisle, Sophomore Bailey Schroeder, Freshman
Punters Zach Potter, Junior Brooks Hosea, Freshman Zach Harding, Freshman J.D. Mote, Senior Will Hetzinger, Freshman
Schedule
Rankings
Game summaries
At Duke
Statistics ARMY DUKE First downs 18 19 3rd down efficiency 5–14 2–9 4th down efficiency 4–4 1–1 Plays–yards 68–365 52–381 Rushes–yards 47–168 35–184 Passing yards 197 197 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 10–21–0 13–17–0 Penalties–yards 7–69 4–30 Turnovers 2 1 Time of possession 36:06 23:54
Liberty
Statistics LIB ARMY First downs 21 28 3rd down efficiency 5–12 6–14 4th down efficiency 0–1 2–2 Plays–yards 60–417 82–510 Rushes–yards 23–110 74–449 Passing yards 307 61 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 19–37–1 2–8–0 Penalties–yards 6–27 7–100 Turnovers 3 0 Time of possession 18:30 41:30
Hawaii
Statistics HAW ARMY First downs 15 18 3rd down efficiency 1–7 11–19 4th down efficiency 0–2 3–4 Plays–yards 45–362 76–465 Rushes–yards 13–41 66–303 Passing yards 321 162 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 20–32–0 6–10–0 Penalties–yards 5–30 5–70 Turnovers 0 0 Time of possession 18:42 41:18
At Oklahoma
Statistics ARMY OU First downs 26 19 3rd down efficiency 13–21 1–3 4th down efficiency 4–5 0–1 Plays–yards 87–379 40–355 Rushes–yards 78–339 25–190 Passing yards 40 165 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 3–9–2 11–15–1 Penalties–yards 6–50 4–20 Turnovers 2 1 Time of possession 44:41 15:19
At Buffalo
Statistics ARMY UB First downs 25 14 3rd down efficiency 9–14 2–11 4th down efficiency 3–3 0–2 Plays–yards 69–372 55–255 Rushes–yards 64–281 31–103 Passing yards 91 152 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 4–5–1 10–24–0 Penalties–yards 7–73 7–78 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 37:34 22:26
Vs. San Jose State
Statistics ARMY SJSU First downs 23 10 3rd down efficiency 10–16 4–11 4th down efficiency 3–3 0–0 Plays–yards 70–395 48–171 Rushes–yards 65–341 30–36 Passing yards 54 135 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 2–5–0 13–18–0 Penalties–yards 3–15 7–55 Turnovers 0 4 Time of possession 37:17 22:43
Miami (OH)
Statistics MIAMI ARMY First downs 23 20 3rd down efficiency 5–18 8–17 4th down efficiency 7–9 3–4 Plays–yards 80–406 76–347 Rushes–yards 27–77 74–347 Passing yards 329 0 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 30–53–0 0–2–0 Penalties–yards 8–56 1–5 Turnovers 0 0 Time of possession 23:52 36:08
At Eastern Michigan
Statistics ARMY EMU First downs 27 10 3rd down efficiency 10–19 1–7 4th down efficiency 4–4 1–2 Plays–yards 81–415 40–235 Rushes–yards 73–289 11–34 Passing yards 126 201 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 7–8–0 19–29–0 Penalties–yards 3–25 8–75 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 45:42 14:18
Air Force
Statistics AFA ARMY First downs 17 16 3rd down efficiency 3–9 8–16 4th down efficiency 1–3 3–3 Plays–yards 57–322 64–286 Rushes–yards 35–125 59–242 Passing yards 197 44 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 12–22–1 3–5–0 Penalties–yards 5–55 5–69 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 22:28 37:32
Lafayette
Statistics LAF ARMY First downs 9 23 3rd down efficiency 2–8 12–13 4th down efficiency 1–1 0–0 Plays–yards 40–159 63–408 Rushes–yards 24–83 57–313 Passing yards 76 95 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 9–16–0 5–6–0 Penalties–yards 1–5 6–40 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 21:58 38:02
Colgate
Statistics GATE ARMY First downs 13 21 3rd down efficiency 2–8 8–12 4th down efficiency 0–2 1–1 Plays–yards 44–251 65–286 Rushes–yards 28–188 59–261 Passing yards 63 25 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 11–16–0 2–6–0 Penalties–yards 7–55 3–25 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 24:04 35:56
Vs. Navy
Statistics NAVY ARMY First downs 11 12 3rd down efficiency 3–13 5–14 4th down efficiency 2–3 1–3 Plays–yards 54–208 59–283 Rushes–yards 37–127 50–222 Passing yards 81 61 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 5–17–2 4–9–0 Penalties–yards 5–30 3–25 Turnovers 4 0 Time of possession 25:39 34:21
Vs. Houston – Armed Forces Bowl
Statistics HOU ARMY First downs 23 27 3rd down efficiency 3–13 7–7 4th down efficiency 2–3 0–0 Plays–yards 73–320 62–592 Rushes–yards 41–90 58–507 Passing yards 230 85 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 21–32–0 4–4–0 Penalties–yards 5–33 7–60 Turnovers 2 1 Time of possession 24:55 35:05
References