The 2021 Army Black Knights football team represented the United States Military Academy in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Black Knights were led by eighth-year head coach Jeff Monken and played their home games at Michie Stadium. They competed as an independent. The Black Knights finished the season with a record of 9–4, sharing the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy with Navy and Air Force after all three service academies finished with 1–1 records against each other. They were invited to the Armed Forces Bowl where they defeated Missouri, 24–22.
Preseason Award watch lists Listed in the order that they were released.
Lott IMPACT TrophyArik SmithLBSRBronko Nagurski TrophyNolan CockrillDLSROutland TrophyRay Guy AwardZach HardingPSRPaul Hornung AwardTyrell RobinsonRBSOWuerffel TrophyJabari LawsQBSR
Schedule
Game summaries
At Georgia State
Statistics ARMY GSU First downs 20 14 3rd down efficiency 10–16 4–10 4th down efficiency 3–3 0–1 Plays–yards 71–356 48–177 Rushes–yards 67–258 28–48 Passing yards 98 129 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 3–4–0 12–20–1 Penalties–yards 2–20 5–55 Turnovers 0 2 Time of possession 42:07 17:53
Western Kentucky
Statistics WKU ARMY First downs 22 23 3rd down efficiency 7–10 9–13 4th down efficiency 0–2 2–3 Plays–yards 59–477 73–416 Rushes–yards 19–42 67–339 Passing yards 435 77 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 28–40–1 5–6–0 Penalties–yards 5–20 5–40 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 20:22 39:38
UConn
Statistics UCONN ARMY First downs 9 24 3rd down efficiency 3–10 5–9 4th down efficiency 1–3 2–3 Plays–yards 45–225 70–504 Rushes–yards 19–116 67–397 Passing yards 109 107 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 11–26–1 3–3–0 Penalties–yards 3–31 1–15 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 19:24 40:36
Miami (OH)
Statistics MIAMI ARMY First downs 13 16 3rd down efficiency 2–11 8–18 4th down efficiency 1–2 3–3 Plays–yards 47–232 68–384 Rushes–yards 20–28 63–384 Passing yards 204 0 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 12–27–1 0–5–0 Penalties–yards 2–6 6–80 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 20:24 39:36
At Ball State
Statistics ARMY BALL First downs 18 12 3rd down efficiency 4–16 3–12 4th down efficiency 3–6 0–2 Plays–yards 76–279 54–269 Rushes–yards 61–213 26–36 Passing yards 66 233 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 5–15–2 17–28–0 Penalties–yards 4–40 9–55 Turnovers 2 0 Time of possession 38:10 21:50 Ayden Beck from Lauren not like him
At Wisconsin
Statistics ARMY WIS First downs 13 18 3rd down efficiency 6–14 3–10 4th down efficiency 2–2 2–2 Plays–yards 56–266 58–310 Rushes–yards 50–179 43–198 Passing yards 87 112 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 5–6–0 8–15–0 Penalties–yards 3–26 4–20 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 29:13 30:47
No. 16 Wake Forest
Statistics WF ARMY First downs 22 31 3rd down efficiency 7–8 9–16 4th down efficiency 0–1 3–4 Plays–yards 52–638 83–595 Rushes–yards 23–180 70–416 Passing yards 458 179 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 23–29–0 10–13–1 Penalties–yards 6–66 7–64 Turnovers 0 2 Time of possession 17:17 42:43
Vs. Air Force
Statistics ARMY AF First downs 13 22 3rd down efficiency 5–14 6–16 4th down efficiency 1–2 2–5 Plays–yards 56–322 73–401 Rushes–yards 43–108 50–175 Passing yards 214 226 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 8–13–0 13–23–1 Penalties–yards 4–30 4–30 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 29:03 30:57
Bucknell
Statistics BUCKNELL ARMY First downs 11 30 3rd down efficiency 4–12 4–6 4th down efficiency 0–1 1–1 Plays–yards 52–175 65–486 Rushes–yards 20–39 61–428 Passing yards 136 58 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 16–32–1 3–4–0 Penalties–yards 5–45 5–49 Turnovers 2 1 Time of possession 25:37 34:23
UMass
Statistics UMASS ARMY First downs 12 20 3rd down efficiency 5–10 6–15 4th down efficiency 1–2 3–6 Plays–yards 52–277 71–419 Rushes–yards 39–199 59–377 Passing yards 78 42 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 7–13–2 2–12–0 Penalties–yards 3–20 5–50 Turnovers 4 1 Time of possession 27:04 32:56
At Liberty
Statistics ARMY LIB First downs 21 20 3rd down efficiency 7–14 5–14 4th down efficiency 2–2 2–7 Plays–yards 66–322 72–384 Rushes–yards 62–220 25–79 Passing yards 102 305 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 3–4–0 24–47–2 Penalties–yards 2–20 7–56 Turnovers 0 2 Time of possession 36:13 23:47
Vs. Navy
Statistics ARMY NAVY First downs 11 13 3rd down efficiency 4–12 6–15 4th down efficiency 0–1 2–2 Plays–yards 49–232 58–278 Rushes–yards 33–124 52–196 Passing yards 108 96 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 7–16–0 4–6–0 Penalties–yards 2–10 5–40 Turnovers 0 0 Time of possession 25:35 34:25
The Army Black Knights camouflaged uniform honored the Special Forces Operational Detachment Alphas (ODAs) from the 5th Special Forces Group of Task Force Dagger. In the immediate wake of the 9/11 attacks, ODAs were called upon to rapidly deploy from Fort Campbell, Kentucky to Afghanistan. The uniforms also pay tribute to service members and veterans, marking not only the end of the "Forever War" in Afghanistan, but the 20-year anniversary of 9/11.
Each jersey features an Army patch and a mirror patch emblazoned with the words "De Oppresso Liber", which is Latin for "from being an oppressed man to being a free one.", which is the motto for the Army Special Forces. The jerseys also has the collar devices worn by the Special Forces, showcasing crossed arrows and the letters U and S with "United We Stand" on the back of the jersey.
The helmets also bear the Special Forces crest and crossed arrows, an American flag, and unit insignia for the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment's Night Stalkers. The date of the 2001 terrorist attacks are located front and center.
The cleats have a pentagon-shaped logo with the twin towers of the World Trade Center in red, white and blue.
Vs. Missouri – Armed Forces Bowl
Statistics MIZ ARMY First downs 28 21 3rd down efficiency 6–11 5–14 4th down efficiency 0–1 5–5 Plays–yards 71–433 64–306 Rushes–yards 37–195 55–211 Passing yards 238 95 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 27–34–0 6–9–0 Penalties–yards 5–40 4–35 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 29:00 31:00
Personnel Coaching staff Jeff Monken Head coach 2014 2014 MillikinOffensive staff Brent Davis Offensive coordinator/offensive line 2014 2014 Georgia Matt Drinkall Tight ends 2020 2019 Western Illinois–Quad Cities Keith Gaither Wide receivers 2020 20201 Elon Saga Tuitele Offensive line 2020 20202 Portland State Mike Viti Fullbacks 2016 2016 Army Tucker Waugh Slotbacks 2015 20073 DePauw Cody Worley Quarterbacks 2020 2020 FurmanDefensive staff Nate Woody Defensive coordinator 2020 2020 Wofford Cortney Braswell Inside linebackers 2021 2021 Dalton State Daryl Dixon Cornerbacks 2019 2016 Florida John Loose Assistant head coach/outside linebackers 2020 20144 Ithaca Eric McDaniel Defensive line 2021 2021 Purdue Shiel Wood Co-defensive coordinator/safeties 2021 2020 WoffordSpecial teams staff Sean Saturnio Special teams coordinator 2020 2014 HawaiiQuality control staff John French Offensive Quality Control 2020 2020 Kentucky Wes Fleming Defensive Quality Control 2021 2021 St. AmbroseStrength and conditioning staff Scott Swanson Director of strength and conditioning 1998 19985 Wake Forest Conor Hughes Head Football Strength and Conditioning 2019 2017 Springfield (Mass.) Tevin Geddis Assistant Football Strength and Conditioning 2021 2021 Kansas State Brandon Reyes Assistant Football Strength and Conditioning 2020 2020 West Florida Blair Vaughan Assistant Football Strength and Conditioning 2020 2020 Western Kentucky Robert Williams Assistant Football Strength and Conditioning 2021 2021 Miami (OH)Support staff Clayton Kendrick-Holmes Chief of Staff/director of football operations 2018 2018 Navy MAJ Blake Powers Admissions Support Officer 2018 2018 Indiana Eric Sheridan Offensive recruiting coordinator 2021 2021 Saint Francis Delbert Tyler II Defensive recruiting coordinator 2021 2021 Hampton Cody Moore Director of recruiting 2021 2021 Oklahoma Panhandle Ben Kotwica Director of player development 2021 2021 Army Ayden Opfer Graphic Content & Communications Coordinator 2021 2021 Bowling Green Nick So'oto On-Campus Recruiting coordinator 2021 2021 LSU Josh Smick Director of Video Operations and Analytics 2021 2021 Clemson Faith Hoover Director of Video Operations and Analytics 2021 2021 Virginia Tech
Keith Gaither also served as the wide receivers coach at Army from 2015 to 2016 Saga Tuitele also served as the offensive line coach at Army from 2007 to 2008. Tucker Waugh also served as the wide receivers coach at Army from 2000 to 2004. John Loose also served as the linebackers coach at Army from 1992 to 1999. Scott Swanson also served as an assistant strength & conditioning coach at Army from 1995 to 1996.
Source:
Roster
The Army football roster for the Week 1 game at Georgia State (as of August 30, 2021):
2021 Army West Point Black Knights rosterQuarterback 1 Jabari Laws, Senior (5'9, 180) 2 Tyhier Tyler, Junior (5'8, 185) 3 Ahlon Mitchell, Freshman (5'11, 180) 4 Christian Anderson, Senior (6'1, 195) 6 RJ Rosales, Freshman (5'8, 180) 7 Jemel Jones, Junior (5'10, 205) 9 Maurice Bellan, Junior (5'10, 185) 10 Gary Phillips, Freshman (6'0, 205) 16 Bryson Daily, Freshman (6'0, 220) 17 Simeon Evans, Freshman (6'0, 200) 18 Cade Ballard, Sophomore (5'9, 205)
Slot Back 5 A.J. Howard, Senior (6'0, 200) 8 Braheam Murphy, Junior (5'10, 185) 11 Brandon Walters, Senior (5'11, 180) 19 Laquan Veney, Freshman (5'11, 185) 21 Tyrell Robinson, Sophomore (5'9, 180) 22 Miles Stewart, Freshman (5'10, 200) 25 Markens Pierre, Senior (5'11, 205) 26 Bishop Johnson, Freshman (5'9, 165) 27 Markel Johnson, Freshman (5'8, 200) 28 Justin Lescouflair, Junior (5'10, 190) 30 Lucky Brooks, Freshman (5'10, 210) 37 Tyler Brennan, Sophomore (5'11, 200) 39 Ay'Jaun Marshall, Sophomore (5'11, 190) 43 TJ Rotello, Freshman (5'11, 190)
Fullback 23 Anthony Adkins, Sophomore (6'1, 245) 31 Jarel Dickson, Freshman (5'11, 235) 32 Tyson Riley, Sophomore (6'2, 260) 33 Jakobi Buchanan, Junior (6'0, 260) 34 AJ Williams, Freshman (6'0, 233) 40 Cade Barnard, Senior (6'3, 235) 42 Wilson Catoe, Senior (6'2, 245) 44 Lincoln Parker, Freshman (5'11, 230) 46 Shacori Williams, Sophomore (5'10, 225)
Wide receiver 13 Logan Burks, Freshman (6'6, 205) 14 Michael Roberts, Senior (6'3, 235) 15 Isaiah Gavin, Freshman (6'5, 187) 29 Cole Caterbone, Junior (6'1, 200) 38 Cam Schurr, Freshman (6'1, 190) 45 Casey Reynolds, Freshman (6'2, 200) 80 Ryan Jackovic, Junior (6'5, 220) 81 Brandon Jones, Sophomore (6'1, 210) 82 Veshe Daniyan, Junior (6'1, 190) 83 Reikan Donaldson, Junior (6'2, 190) 84 Isaiah Lige, Freshman 86 Isaiah Alston, Sophomore (6'4, 200) 87 Sean Eckert, Senior (6'3, 220) 89 Jalen Moy, Senior (6'4, 210)
Long snapper 50 Ryan Aguilar, Junior (6'2, 225) 69 Cole McCutcheon, Sophomore (5'11, 200) 77 Patrick Szczesniak, Junior (6'2, 225)
Kicker 29 Quinn Maretzki, Sophomore (5'10, 170) 94 Cole Talley, Junior (6'0, 200) 95 Trey Gronotte, Freshman (6'0, 180) 98 Tyler Johnson, Freshman (5'9, 182) 97 Richard McDermott, Freshman 99 Matthew Rhodes, Freshman (6'5, 200) Tight end 84 Simon Dellinger, Sophomore (6'3, 265) 85 Chris Cameron, Senior (6'4, 265) 88 Joshua Lingenfelter, Sophomore (6'3, 250)
Offensive lineman 49 Danny Joiner, Freshman (6'2, 250) 50 Cooper Smith, Freshman (6'2, 285) 51 Kamaron Holloway, Senior (6'3, 280) 52 Davis Wulf, Freshman (6'1, 270) 53 Bill Katsigiannis, Freshman (6'1, 255) 54 Kaleb Luna, Freshman (6'3, 312) 55 Chris Hunter, Freshman (6'1, 270) 56 Mason Kolinchak, Senior (6'2, 275) 57 Connor Bishop, Junior (6'3, 280) 58 Sam Barczak, Junior (6'2, 275) 59 Will Jeffcoat, Freshman (6'2, 285) 60 Connor Finucane, Sophomore (6'4, 290) 62 Jono Horvath, Freshman (6'2, 260) 62 Aidan Perkins, Sophomore (6'2, 250) 63 Ben Koch, Junior (6'6, 285) 64 Beau Lombardi, Sophomore (6'2, 280) 65 Noah Knapp, Senior (6'0, 280) 67 Dean Powell, Senior (6'1, 285) 68 Jackson Filipowicz, Sophomore (6'3, 275) 69 Matthew Adoghe, Freshman (6'3, 320) 70 Zach Ward, Senior (6'6, 275) 71 David Hoyt, Freshman (6'4, 275) 71 Matthew Robbins, Freshman (6'5, 260) 72 Grady Chapman, Junior (6'4, 285) 72 Aidan Gaines, Sophomore (6'0, 285)