ITHACA, N.Y. (October 5, 2015) -- Behind a strong performance by freshman quarterback Cadet Brady Miller, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point sprint football team was able to remain unbeaten as it topped undefeated Cornell 33-0 on Oct. 3.
With the shutout, the Black Knights (3-0, 3-0 CSFL) have now won the first three games of a season by shutting out their opponents. This is the fifth time in the program's 58-year history, and the first time since 1994, that the team has started a season with three straight shutouts. The record number for shutouts recorded to start a season was by the 1958 team which went four-straight games.
Additionally, this is the fourth-consecutive season that the Black Knights have started out 3-0; a feat that has not been attained in the current Cadet's lifetimes. The last time an Army sprint football team started four straight seasons 3-0 was from 1988-91.
The 2015 squad has a very fast and talented group when they play without the ball, and that has paid dividends so far. Today's effort was no different. While they did not force any turnovers today, they held Cornell (2-1, 2-1 CSFL) to 163 total yards and 6-for-18 passing. That effort was led by linebacker Cadet Matthew Tamburri , a junior, and sophomore defensive linemen Cadets Curtis Jerzerick and Arran Rounds, who each tallied six tackles on five solos and one assisted. Rounds joined linebacker Cadet Ryan Gallager, a senior, and defensive linemen Cadets Philip Choi and Jared Sturgell, both seniors, as players who recorded a sack for the Black Knights. Tamburri and sophomore linebacker Cadet Nathan Lopez also combined for a sack.
"Getting our defense to come out as they have these first three games starts with great preparation by the defensive coaches," said head coach Mark West. "The guys who run the opponent's offense during practice have to also give our defense a great look. By seeing quality reps over and over again in practice our defense is able to react much quicker to the ball and maximize our team speed."
Brady led the offensive unit with both his arm and his legs today, completing 12 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns while also contributing 44 yards on 11 carries. Both of those touchdowns were hauled in by wide receiver Cadet Austin Breed, a junior, who totaled five receptions for 92 yards. Junior running back, Cadet Marqus Burrell, led the ground game for the Black Knights, rushing for 92 yards and two scores on 20 carries.
"Brady threw some good balls today and had a good performance overall. We hurt ourselves offensively in the first half with some costly penalties that put us in bad down and distance situations. Brady was calm through it all and led the offense well. There were a few passes I'm sure he would like back, but given this was his first start against a worthy opponent, he did well."
The scoring opened when Brady hit Breed with a 30-yard strike with 8:39 left in the opening quarter. The duo hooked up for Army's second touchdown of the game after the defense forced Cornell to take a safety with just under four minutes left in the second quarter. The Black Knights took a 16-0 lead into halftime.
The running game came wasted no time making its way onto the score sheet as Burrell scampered for a four-yard score 5:19 into the second half. A third-quarter field goal from 30-yards out by senior Cadet Warren Kay increased the lead to 26-points, and a one-yard rush by Burrell in the waning minutes of the game sealed the victory for Army.
The Black Knights continue their road swing next week as they head to Mansfield, Pa. for a 1 p.m. kickoff against the Mountaineers (0-2, 0-2 CSFL) on Sat., Oct. 10.
Related Links:
Army West Point Athletics website
U.S. Military Academy at West Point website
U.S. Army Garrison West Point website
Army West Point Athletics Facebook
Social Sharing