SALVAGE OPERATION

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West Point ? The season is slipping away and some Army football fans already consider it lost.

But the Black Knights figure there is still plenty to play for.

Forget about the Poinsettia Bowl, though.

Poinsettia Bowl officials said this week they are informally searching for Army's replacement in the game scheduled for Dec. 19 in San Diego.

Army (3-6) can still win something it desires even more than a bowl bid: the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy. It's awarded annually to the winner of the football competition between the three major service academies, and the Black Knights haven't won it since 1996.

Some might think its a long shot, but Army can win the CIC with victories over Air Force at 8 tonight at Michie Stadium, and Navy on Dec. 2 in Philadelphia. Navy has won three CIC's in a row and defeated Air Force 27-24 on Oct. 7.

"It is one game that can mean more than one, because it can remove a few frustrations of this season," Army coach Bobby Ross said of tonight's game. "It is a big game for us. Hopefully, our squad will realize that. We have to play well and focus on how we have to play."

Air Force (3-4) had won eight in a row against Army before the Black Knights beat the Falcons 27-24 last year in Colorado Springs, Colo. Army hadn't won there since 1978.

Both teams enter the game decimated by injuries.

Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry has mixed and matched his offensive and defensive lines with inexperienced players to make up for the injuries.

Army lost star strong safety Caleb Campbell to a season-ending knee injury he sustained during last week's 42-28 loss at Tulane. He made 21 tackles against Air Force last year and figured to play a big part in trying to stop Air Force's triple option attack. Star defensive end Cameron Craig is doubtful with a bad ankle sprain.

"This is one of our rivals, so we're working harder than ever," Army senior linebacker Barrett Scruggs said. "We're more focused than ever and determined win."

As Ross put it, the game could come down to the survival of the fittest.

The Black Knights' season could come down to tonight.

Army-Air Force
at a glance

What: non-conference football game

When: 8 p.m. today

Where: Michie Stadium, West Point

TV: ESPN2


Team records: Army 3-6; Air Force 3-4

Last game: Army lost at Tulane 42-28 on Saturday; Air Force lost to BYU 33-14 on Saturday

Line: Air Force by 6

Series record: Air Force leads 26-13-1; Army defeated the Falcons 27-24 last year in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Weather: 35 degrees and clear

 

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Keys to victory for Army, Air Force

For Army

1. Don't turn over the ball.

Or Army coach Bobby Ross will blow his stack ? again. Ross has lamented all year about the Black Knights' turnovers.

For good reason.

Army already has 26 turnovers ? it coughed up the ball just 20 times last year. The Black Knights rank 116th in the nation out of 119 teams in turnover margin (-1.2 per game).

2. Carson keeps his cool.

The freshman quarterback did last week. Williams put up 194 yards and three touchdowns in his first college start last week against Tulane.

He threw two first-half interceptions. Army will take another performance like that ? minus the picks ? against Air Force.

3. Get it together on defense.

Army gave up 586 yards of offense in last week's 42-28 loss to Tulane. Tulane quarterback Lester Ricard threw for 409 yards and running back Matt Forte rushed for 124.

Ouch!

The Black Knights face a challenge tonight: Air Force and its triple option offense is ranked third in the nation in rushing yards per game (266.9). Army ranks 107th in the country in rushing defense (181.7).

for Air Force

1. See Army's first key.

Check out this stat: Air Force opened the season 3-2 with a plus-7 turnover margin. The Falcons are at minus-4 during their two-game losing streak.

Air Force ranks 36th nationally in turnover margin (.43).

2. Get the option rolling.

The option is all about deception, chewing up yards and the clock, and keeping the opponent off the field.

When it's clicking, Air Force can compete with any team in the country. A much healthier Air Force squad opened the season with a 31-30 loss at seventh-ranked Tennessee.

Air Force outrushed the Volunteers 281-79.

"I was glad to see them get out of town," Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer told the Times Herald-Record this week. "They were fast, they executed, their quarterback (Shaun Carney) did a great job."

Running back Chad Hall leads the way with 501 rushing yards (5.5 avg.), followed by quarterback Shaun Carney with 486 yards (4.0).

3. Harass the kid.

Sure, Williams looked good against Tulane. But he's still a freshman, an unproven commodity, starting in a Commander-in-Chief's Trophy game on national television.

If that doesn't get to Williams, he's even cooler than anyone thinks. Expect Air Force to try to rattle Williams with heavy pressure and blitzes.