Independent Football Teams - 2021 Army West Point Black Knights Preview
Our Army Black Knights preview 2021 notes that last year this team rebounded from a 2019 season where they went 5-8 and did not attend a bowl game. In 2020, the Black Knights were 9-3. They played Virginia in the Liberty Bowl, losing 21-24. Last season, the Army offense was lacking, averaging 26.8 PPG (77th). As usual, their rush attack, which averaged 273.0 YPG (4th) was potent. Army’s pass attack was almost nonexistent, as they averaged 4.8 YPG (127th). Allowing just 14.8 PPG, the Black Knights ranked second in the nation in defensive points. They were 18th in ground yards and second in passing yards allowed.
Army Offense
Due to injury last season, starter Christian Anderson saw action in just five games. That allowed three other signal callers to play. The result is that the Black Knights are loaded with experience at QB. Look for Anderson, who’s healthy, to be the starter. The four top receivers from last season return. They totaled just 20 catches and four TDs. No receiver had more than seven receptions.
The Black Knights go with three offensive backs. The top five from 2020 return to run the triple-option. Top performers from last season include Jakobi Buchanan and Anthony Adkins who totaled 10 TDs. Last season, freshman Tyrell Robinson totaled 424 yards while averaging 7.2 YPA and scoring eight times. This is a very deep group. The O-line returns one player, center Connor Bishop. Still, there’s solid experience. We expect them to be a premium blocking unit and as usual, to excel at opening running lanes.
Army Black Knights Preview 2021 - Defense
Eight starters return to a defense that held six of 12 opponents to fewer than 10 points. The 275.3 YPG they allowed opponent offenses ranked first in the nation. Six of the team’s top seven tacklers from last season are back as is the three front men. Senior NT Nolan Cockrill was the lynchpin of the unit. Last year, he recorded 28 tackles, 2.5 sackes, 4.5 TFL, two PBU, and four QBH. The linebacking group is sturdy and includes the team’s top returning tackler Arik Smith. Along with 78 tackles, Smith recorded 3.5 sacks and 5.5 TFL. OLB Malkelm Morrison was good for 33 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 5.5 TFL.
Three of four starters in the secondary are back. In 2020, corner Jabari Moore and safeties Cedrick Cunningham and Marquel Broughton totaled six picks, seven PBU, and 11.5 TFL. Cunningham led the unit with 70 tackles while Broughton recorded 67 and Moore 36. Julian McDuffie moves into the other starting corner role. Last season, he posted seven PBU.
Specialists
Our Army Black Knights preview 2021 observes that last season this team led the nation in blocked punts with seven. The return game, which was solid, was handled by Tyrell Robinson who averaged 7.7 yards per punt return and 20.7 yards per kick bring back. Senior punter Zach Harding, who averaged 43.4 YPP last season, has Ray Guy Award potential. He pinned 17-of-41 punts within the 20. As a freshman last season, Quinn Maretzki was 15-of-15 on extra points and four-of-six on field goals. He’s back.
Army Black Knights Preview 2021 - Projection
In the second half of Army’s 2021 season, this team plays Wisconsin, Air Force, Liberty, and Navy. All of these teams will provide a challenge for the Black Knights. So much of this team’s success is determined by its defense and rush attack that the more the Black Knights can control possession, the better their chances are of winning. Our Army Black Knights preview 2021 finds that both the D and ground game look to be in fine shape.
Independent Football Teams - Army Black Knights 2021 - Predictions:
Record: 8-4
Cure Bowl vs Tulane