Losing Jones to injury throws Army for loss

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West Point ? Coach Bobby Ross planned on limiting running back Carlton Jones' carries against Connecticut yesterday.
But the Army coach certainly wanted him to run the ball more than he did. Jones left the game midway through the second quarter after pulling a muscle and didn't return.
"I don't know the severity of Carlton's injury other than it is a pulled muscle," Ross said. "It's not a knee, it's not an ankle, it's not a shoulder. It's a pulled muscle.
"I haven't checked with the trainer. It could be (a) groin (pull), it could be abdominal. It's in that area."
Jones was unavailable for comment after Army's 47-13 loss. Losing Jones would be crippling for the Black Knights' sputtering offense. He is Army's best player on offense, a durable runner who had 1,269 yards and 17 touchdowns last season as a junior. Jones rushed for 122 yards on 34 carries against Iowa State last Friday.
Ross penciled in Jones for about 25 carries against UConn. He carried the ball 11 times for 52 yards (4.7 avg). Jones' hip bothered him all week and he didn't participate in contact drills during practice.
"When Carlton went down, that probably hurt us a little bit," Ross said.
Back-ups Scott Wesley and Seth Gulsby picked up the load with Jones on the bench. Wesley ran for 64 yards and two touchdowns. Gulsby had 20 rushing yards.
"That's part of the game," said Wesley of Jones' injury. "When someone goes down, you have to be ready."

 

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October 05, 2005

Army football notes

It appears that Army coach Bobby Ross has finally lost patience with kicker Joe Riley.
Ross suggested yesterday that junior Justin Koenig will start against Central Michigan on Saturday. Riley has converted just 1-of-6 field goals this season. He further frustrated Ross by missing an extra point Saturday in a 47-13 loss to UConn.
Koenig replaced Riley and converted an extra point.
"We're certainly going to look at Koenig," Ross said. "Justin has done a good job with kickoffs and did some placements last year."
Army kickers are 6-of-14 on field-goal attempts during Ross' tenure.
As usual, Army held a team meeting on Monday, but Ross had some extra words for his players in light of the loss to UConn, which he called the worst of the season.
"A lot was about where we are as a program," Army sophomore fullback Mike Viti said. "We're trying to get where we need to be. The main thing was focus, that was the word of the day. We need to break down more film. Guys need to find more time to get the film worked out."
Backup quarterback David Pevoto admitted being nervous in the minutes leading up to his first collegiate action against UConn.
But once Pevoto started tossing the pigskin around, he relaxed. The sophomore completed 6-of-12 passes for 68 yards and looked crisp ? aside from an interception returned for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Pevoto earned a good review from Ross and is expected to see time against Central Michigan.
"I was nervous on the sidelines," Pevoto said. "But then I realized, it's a game, it's what I've been doing my whole life. It was a good experience for me."
Despite Army's 0-4 record, Central Michigan coach Brian Kelly said his team isn't taking the Black Knights lightly.
"The only games we can take lightly are the intrasquad games we play with our jayvee team," Kelly said. "That's about it. We are fighting for every win in this program."
Central Michigan (2-3) hasn't enjoyed a winning season since 1998.
The battle for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy begins Saturday when Navy (1-2) hosts Air Force.
Navy has beaten Air Force (2-3) two straight years by a combined six points and won consecutive CIC trophies. Army hasn't taken the CIC home since 1996.
"I think for all three service academies, that trophy is one of the primary goals, to try and win the thing," said Navy coach Paul Johnson, 5-1 against Army and Air Force. "You can't necessarily win it this week, but you can certainly lose it, so it's a huge game"

 

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October 05, 2005

Jones' injury gives opening to Wesley


West Point ? Bobby Ross pointed to Scott Wesley in Army's locker room Saturday and made him stand up in front of his teammates.
This is how we all need to play the game, Ross told his team, motioning toward Wesley after a disappointing 47-13 loss to Connecticut. Then Ross handed Wesley a game football.
"I love the guy because he's really into it," Ross was saying yesterday during his weekly news conference. "(Wesley) wants to win and will do anything he has to for a win. That's why I respect him so much. He's tougher than you can imagine."
That's high praise for a backup running back. But Wesley is evolving into something more than your ordinary second-stringer.
Wesley could start against Central Michigan (2-3) Saturday at Michie Stadium. Seth Gulsby should also see time in place of starter Carlton Jones. Ross yesterday downgraded Jones to doubtful from questionable for the game. Jones pulled a stomach muscle during the second quarter against UConn and is also nursing a sore hip.
"I was prepared for it," said Wesley, a senior converted from wide receiver by Ross during the offseason. "Your job as a backup is to be ready. I have to prepare as a starter every week."
Wesley, who is 5-foot-11, 205 pounds, has looked good in limited time for Army (0-4) this season. He's only rushed for 86 yards on 27 carries (3.6 per carry), but has scored four of seven Black Knights' touchdowns this season. A bruising runner, Wesley has scored two touchdowns in each of the past weeks against Iowa State and UConn.
"Scott is one of the toughest people I know," Army wide receiver Jeremy Trimble said. "He just comes out and works hard every day. I'm not surprised to see him succeed at running back. I don't think anyone on the team is."
Wesley wasn't recruited to play football at Army. He came to the Academy to run track, but walked onto the football team as a freshman, leaving the track team after one season.
Wesley was a backup wide receiver the past three years. He returned 54 kickoffs last year for 1,248 yards, including a 97-yard touchdown against Tulane.
Ross moved Wesley to running back because of his size, good hands and the fact that Army lacked depth at the position. It has worked out so far.
But wouldn't it be something if Ross handed Wesley a game ball after a win Saturday.

 

[Box and one]

With Jones almost certain not to play Army will have no running game.C-Mich will force them to pass.Wesley had a good game but he is green at RB.They have no one else.Zac as soon as he throws some poor passes Pevato is coming in.

 

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over / under at pinnaclesports.com

Central Michigan OVER 51.5 -105
Army UNDER 51.5 -105