Army football: Big-name foes, old rivals on 2023 schedule
WEST POINT – If you thought the 2022 Army football schedule was challenging, the 2023 version is certainly on par.
In a schedule officially released on Thursday, the Black Knights revive regional rivalries with Syracuse, Boston College and Holy Cross, head to Louisiana twice including a matchup with perennial Top 25 LSU, and face their service academy foes in a pair of NFL stadiums.
Army will travel to Louisiana Monroe (Sept. 2), Texas San Antonio (Sept. 16), Syracuse (Sept. 23) and Louisiana State (Oct. 21). Delaware State (Sept. 9), Boston College (Oct. 7), Troy (Oct. 14), Massachusetts (Oct. 28), Holy Cross (Nov. 11) and Coastal Carolina (Nov. 18) will visit Michie Stadium. Army plays Air Force (Nov. 4) at the home of the Denver Broncos and Navy (Dec. 9) at the home of the New England Patriots.
There’s still important business at hand for this season.
Army faces Troy on Saturday in Alabama (3:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network, WBNR 1260-AM, WGHQ 920-AM, 92.5-FM, WLNA 1420-AM), the first of six scheduled meetings with the Trojans. Army will host in 2023, 2030 and 2032 and Troy will host in 2031 and 2034.
Troy (7-2) has won its last six games, sits first in Sun Belt Group B and has garnered enough points to rank No. 35 in the country. The Trojans, who are already bowl bound, are coming off wins against Marshall, Western Kentucky, Southern Miss, Texas State, South Alabama and Louisiana.
Army (3-5) posted a 13-7 home loss to Air Force last Saturday, surrendering the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy in the process. The Black Knights must win their final four games (including Connecticut, Massachusetts and Navy) to qualify for the contracted Dec. 23 Independence Bowl.
“It was a disappointing loss this past weekend,’’ said Army head coach Jeff Monken. “We’re sorry we couldn’t find a way to come away with a victory.’’
Army was held to woeful and uncharacteristic 78 yards rushing against the Falcons. That could be a problem again as Troy – ranked No. 15 defensively – has held six of its past eight opponents under 100 yards on the ground.
Army fullbacks Tyson Riley and Jakobi Buchanan have not been healthy for weeks but remain atop the depth chart. Jemel Jones has started the last three games at quarterback, though past starters Tyhier Tyler and Cade Ballard await in the wings - Tyler saw some action at slot back and one series at QB against Air Force. The return of All-American defensive end Andre Carter was welcomed and he managed a handful of tackles against Air Force. Leo Lowin has emerged as a dependable linebacker. The status of defensive back Marquel Broughton, who was injured on Saturday, was undetermined as of mid-week.
Troy has a very dynamic offense, says Army defensive coordinator Nate Woody. Junior Gunnar Watson has thrown for 1,973 yards and eight touchdowns, completing 64 percent of his passes. Kimani Vidal has rushed fo 484 yards and DK Billingsley 497.
Troy is favored by 8 or 9 points (depending on the spread), with an over-under of 45.5 points.
Looking ahead
Big-name foes return to the slate next season. Army has faced Syracuse 21 times and Boston College 37 times but it’s been some time since the Eastern foes have met: BC in 2013 and Syracuse in 1996. On the other hand, Army and LSU have met just once, in 1931, in just the eighth season of venerable Michie Stadium.
Army and Air Force meet in an NFL stadium for the first time since 1965, at Chicago’s Soldiers Field. The Black Knights and Falcons have played the last two seasons at the Texas Rangers baseball field in Arlington, Texas. Army and Navy have regularly met at NFL facilities but will use Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., for the first time.
Army will open on the road for the third consecutive year. Army won its two previous games at San Antonio’s AlamoDome but lost to the Roadrunners at Michie in September.
The Black Knights have two Football Championship Subdivision foes in Delaware State (meeting for the first time) and Holy Cross (the first matchup since 2002 after the two teams meet almost annually from 1970-94).
Twitter: @KenMcMillanTHR
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Army West Point NCAA college football 2023 schedule LSU Syracuse
