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| Sunday, August 12 Updated: August 14, 8:35 AM ET Army's one-back set should be much improved weapon By Eric Crawford Special to ESPN.com |
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Army Black Knights 2000 record: 1-10 (1-6). Coach: Todd Berry (2nd year, 1-10). Starters returning: 8 offense, 5 defense, 2 kickers. Outlook: With eight offensive starters returning in the second season of Berry's one-back system, the Knights figure to move the ball better and score more points. But Berry must replace leading rusher All-C-USA running back Michael Wallace, who ran for 1,157 yards and 11 TDs last season. He also will have to settle on a quarterback, with seniors Curtis Zervic and Chad Jenkins competing for the job. WR Omari Thompson gives the Knights a playmaking threat. The key to the team's fortunes, however, will be the defense. The Defense Department, Army isn't. The Knights gave up 33.8 points per game last season and they lose one of their top players, linebacker Lyle Weaver. LB Brian Zickefoose is back after finishing second in C-USA in tackles with 122 last season, but an overall lack of speed and depth could allow opponents to pile up big numbers again. Keep an eye on: Omari Thompson, who established himself as Army's main breakaway threat last season, catching 40 passes, just 12 fewer than the entire team's total from 1999. Thompson also led C-USA in punt return average at 17.6 yards. He split time in the spring between football and track, and gives the Knights the kind of explosive offensive dimension they need more of. Key game: The Knights open at home on Sept. 8 against Cincinnati. With the Bearcats' starting a new quarterback, Army has a chance to win a season opener for the first time since 1996, which would be huge for a team looking to upgrade its self-image after winning just one game last season. It's a good year if... The Knights beat Navy. The opener might be of more immediate importance, but does any game ever mean more than the traditional season-finale between service academies? Eric Crawford covers Conference USA for the Louisville Courier-Journal. |
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