WEST POINT, N.Y. (October 19, 2015) -- The U.S. Military Academy at West Point sprint football team etched its name in the record books after a 24-point shutout victory over Franklin Pierce at Sodexo Field Oct. 17.
The win marks the first time in the program's 58-year history that the Black Knights (5-0, 5-0 CSFL) have started a season with five consecutive shutouts. The previous record was set in the program's second season in 1958 when the Black Knights notched four consecutive shutouts.
"I'm really proud of the team for getting our fifth win and fourth on the road of the year," said head coach Mark West. "It's been a tough road trip, and this was the longest of the four games. I'm proud of how we hung tough today. Defensively, to get another shutout and to set a school record is something special. Franklin Pierce had a pretty good offense. Their quarterback is a gamer and scrambled well all day. Our defensive backs did a great job plastering the receivers when they got the ball."
The defense was able to prevent the opposition from gaining anything on the ground for the third time this season as Franklin Pierce (2-3, 2-3 CSFL) netted -31 rushing yards. Forcing the Falcons to use their passing game played right into the hands' of Army's speedy defensive backs and relentless front. The Black Knights recorded seven sacks as a team, including three from senior defensive lineman Cadet Philip Choi who is among the league-leaders in the category. They also earned seven turnovers with three fumbles and four interceptions.
Offensively, Army netted 283 yards and had a balanced attack per usual. Freshman quarterbacks Cadet Brady Miller and Cadet Keegan West combined for 124 yards through the air while a combined effort from five different rushers netted 159 yards in the ground game. Miller started and completed 10 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown while West was a perfect six-for-six throwing for 40 yards and a touchdown. Their favorite target was the same person it's been all season; junior wide receiver Cadet Austin Breed. Breed hauled in a game-high eight receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown. Junior running back Cadet Marqus Burrell lead the way in the rushing attack as he has done all season with 61 yards on 22 carries.
"Offensively, we struggled some in the first half because they have a really good defense," said West. "They moved around a lot and gave us a lot of different looks and fronts. That confused us in the first half, but we made some good adjustments in the second half and were able to get the ball moving. Our offense did a great job in the second half after fighting through some adversity in the first half. Overall, no single guy is there to really point out. It was a true team effort."
After the second scoreless quarter Army has seen all season, senior kicker Cadet Warren Kay booted a 21-yard field goal to give the Black Knights a 3-0 lead. That lead would increase to double-digits before halftime when Miller hit Breed with a 24-yard touchdown pass.
It took until 13 minutes after the teams came back from the locker room that the score would change again. Junior linebacker Cadet Matthew Tamburri picked off his second interception of the season and took it back 35 yards for a touchdown.
After a substitution under center, West capped the scoring with 7:24 left in the fourth quarter with a 24-yard strike to sophomore wide receiver Cadet Ty Galyean.
Army will return to the comforts of Shea Stadium for the remaining two games of the season starting with a matchup against Penn on Oct. 23 at 7 p.m.
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
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