Know the Foe: Army

Memphis returns to action on Saturday to host Army for the first time since 2002. Both teams enter the game with two losses, and both teams are looking for a spot in the American Conference Championship game.

The Black Knights started the season 2-2 after suffering losses against USF and Louisiana Tech, but they’ve won three games in a row, including a three-point road win last week over Tulsa. Army is in its third season in the American, and Jeff Monken’s team is 16-5 in its new conference.

The Black Knights run the triple-option attack, and quarterback Cale Hellums leads the offense. Army’s offense ranks in the top six in the conference in scoring and total offense, and they lead the American in rushing offense with 345.7 rushing yards per game.

Hellums has thrown for 422 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, and he’s added 840 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground. Last season, he ran for 1,223 yards and 18 touchdowns, and it looks like he will surpass both of those numbers. 

While Hellums accounts for a large chunk of the offense, running back Godspower Nwawuihe is the second-leading rusher on the team, and he has recorded 355 yards and three touchdowns on 60 carries. He’s coming off his best game of the season after finishing with 135 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries last week against Tulsa.

Senior Samari Howard will be another player to keep an eye on, and he has hurt opponents on the ground and through the air. The receiver has recorded 116 yards on 11 receptions and added 346 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 37 carries.

One of the biggest reasons for the offensive success has been the offensive line. The Black Knights’ entire offensive line are seniors, and that experience has made a huge impact. Army also average the fewest penalties in the conference.

Defensively, Monken’s team allows 22.1 points per game, and 374 yards of total offense. They have recorded eight sacks, 23 tackles for loss and three interceptions, and five player have 25 or more tackles this year.

Junior linebacker Elijah Walton leads the team with 52 tackles, two tackles for loss, an interception, three pass breakups and three quarterback hurries. Senior Safety Stephen Nnadozie is sitting behind the linebacker at 38 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup.

Memphis will host Army Saturday night for a Halloween game at 7 p.m. CT.