How a woeful start doomed Army in loss to Georgia State
Ken McMillanWEST POINT – Army played so ineffectively in the first half Saturday that Jeff Monken told his players to turn in their uniforms or “play some football,’’ the coach told CBS television.
The Black Knights did respond to a 17-0 deficit to Georgia State, scoring twice and driving for an apparent go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Army had first down-and-goal from the 6. Jakobi Buchanan stepped through traffic for 3 yards. Quarterback Cade Ballard got stacked up at the line and managed 2.
One yard to paydirt, a scenario the run-heavy Black Knights thrive upon. But then Ballard got tripped up at the ankles for no gain.
Sure, fourth down, no problem. Buchanan, who already had 56 yards despite an injured left knee and brace, was the lone back. The Panthers’ defense crushed the middle and Buchanan, who may have slipped on his first step, was met viciously by a trio who did not let him wriggle or spin his way into the end zone as his custom.
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No gain. No go-ahead score. Momentum halted.
It wasn’t long before Georgia State scored on a 57-yard sideline pass play and 56-yard romp up the middle to wrap up a 31-14 victory that got the Panthers (1-4) off the schneid and deepened Army’s woes at 1-3, injuries mounting and a road trip to ranked Wake Forest next week.
“It certainly was not the outcome we wanted,’’ said Army head coach Jeff Monken. “I’m really disappointed. I did a poor job with our team.’’
Though the schedule notably gets easier following the matchup with the Demon Deacons, Army could be facing must-wins in the second half in order to meet eligibility and play in the contracted Independence Bowl.
“At this point in time we have a decision to make,’’ said co-captain Connor Bishop. “It’s either fold up the tents and kind of just quit, or to keep going, keep getting better and having that hard look in the mirror and seeing where, as a program, we need to improve … in terms of us representing the Army and this Academy and this nation. I hope we choose the latter.’’
It was a big day of misses for Army. Running backs Tyson Riley and Tyrell Robinson each lost fumbles. Ballard overthrew Isaiah Alston in the end zone. Billy Boehlke shanked a punt 21 yards, leading to a Panther score. And that was all in the first half.
“(We) just weren’t ready and we wasted a first half,’’ Monken said.
The fourth quarter was another bad performance. The failed goal line series. A regretful fake punt to a hobbled blocking back that came up 6 yards short with 3:14 to play. A Ballard interception.
Monken second-guessed his decision for the fake punt, which was a direct snap to Austin Hill – who had already gone to the turf twice with apparent leg cramps – that went for only 5 yards. He worried that Army might not get the ball back with only three minutes remaining and added that he should have called a “normal” play on fourth-and-11.
Three plays later, GSU quarterback Darren Grainger found Ja’Cyais Credele streaking past defender Cam Jones for a 57-yard touchdown pass.
On the next snap, Panther defender Bryquice Brown got inside position on Alston and made the pick despite getting shoved (for a declined interference penalty) by the receiver. It only took two snaps for Tucker Gregg to race 56 yards for his school-record 20th touchdown.
Hayes kicked a 46-yard field goal in the first quarter. Army got a stop at the 5-yard line on the Panthers’ next drive. Grainger raced to a 13-yard score early in the second quarter. Williams slipped a tackle for a 33-yard score five minutes later for the 17-0 lead.
Held scoreless in the first half at home for the first time since 2015 (in a 44-3 loss to Duke), Army drove 75 yards on eight plays with quarterback Tyhier Tyler scoring untouched from 1 yard out.
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The Panthers – who were effective all day by running a quick-tempo offense – picked up 60 yards on four plays but kicker Michael Hayes banged a 30-yard field goal try off the right upright.
This time, Army rolled 80 yards on 13 plays with Tyler powering behind a stacked left side for a 5-yard score, his sixth TD of the season.
Army got the ball back seconds later when Jamyest Williams burst free up the middle only to have Marquel Broughton strip him and Lew Lowin scooping up the loose ball. The ensuring 10-play drive resulted in the stall at the goal line.
“We’re a 1-3 football team,’’ said Tyler, whose third career triple-digit rushing mark was 110 yards on 19 carries. “That’s what the country see us as, that’s what college football see us as. That’s on us to turn it around.’’
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Notes: Georgia State won this matchup in 2019 and Army won in 2021. ... Ballard had 65 yards on 10 carries, Buchanan went 12-for-56, freshman Hayden Reed was eight for 28 and Riley was six for 24 – It appeared Riley, the hero against Villanova, injured his right side in the first half and did not return. … Grainger completed eight of 12 for 157 yards. … Gregg had 16 carries for 124 and Williams had 12 for 106. … Army dominated possession time, 38:55 to 21:05 – the Panthers lead the nation with the least time with the ball. … Army did not commit a single penalty. … Each team punted only once.
Twitter: @KenMcMillanTHR