Return to Pointer View home page December 9,  2005

Army looks to build off four-win season

Story and photos by Eric S. Bartelt
Assistant Editor

Army took it on the chin Saturday losing to archrival Navy 42-23 and finished the 2005 season at 4-7.

The loss to the Midshipmen is only a temporary setback as the team continues to move forward and further the progress that has been made from a 0-13 record in 2003.

The Black Knights will lose a couple of distinguished seniors in quarterback Zac Dahman and running back Carlton Jones who assaulted the team record books in passing and rushing, respectively. However, despite those losses Army will return 13 players who started the Navy game.

“All in all, I think we made progress in our program,” said Army head football coach Bobby Ross. “This game (against Navy) is indicative of the fact that we still have work to do. I think one of the things that was apparent to me was that Navy has more speed than we have.

“They had more quickness and athleticism,” Ross added. “I think we have to continue to try to upgrade that.”

Army did receive a glimpse into the future as some underclassmen made an impression during the loss to the Midshipmen.

Sophomore wide receiver Jeremy Trimble had a career day by catching six passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore strong safety Caleb Campbell led the team in tackles with 10, while sophomore defensive end John Wright got Army’s only sack of the day.

“I think we can continue to improve. We were playing with a freshman (Brandon Cox) at offensive tackle during a lot of the second half,” Ross said. “We were playing with quite a few freshmen on special teams. We have a good nucleus of young guys and we have some pretty solid players that are coming back.

“Obviously, we are going to have to develop the (running back and quarterback) positions, but I think the personnel is there,” he added. “We have to develop (them) and that is going to be a big part of it all … we need to continue to work to get stronger and faster.”

A couple of those players who figure to get bigger roles next year on offense are sophomore quarterback David Pevoto and sophomore fullback Mike Viti.

The initial sting of the season-ending loss will soon recede back toward the optimism of the four-game winning streak that preceded it.

“(Coach Ross) re-emphasized some different points that need to be taken care of in the off season so that we can come back strong next year,” Campbell said.

Although the defense had its worst day of the season against Navy, Campbell believes the defense is on the right track for greater success as they scaled from the depths of dead last in defense to 27th in total defense in Division I-A football.

“The defense is coming together well,” Campbell explained. “We did something this year that is a big improvement from last year and we can only improve from here.”

Starting linebacker Barrett Scruggs, a junior, finished second on the team in tackles with 78 and he knows that this season was a stepping stone for next year, and credited the seniors for that progress.

“We’re losing a good group of seniors who pushed us during (last) off season, and we have a good underclass that is motivated and is ready to work,” Scruggs said. “We’re going to put this game behind us and get ready to go to work (for next season).”

The win total has gone from zero to two to four over the last three seasons and now the team will buckle down to make sure at least six wins, a win against Navy and a bowl berth are in their near future as tremendous strides have been taken under Ross.

“(The underclassmen) have four wins under their belts that they can bring into next season,” said senior tight end Jared Ulekowski. “We weren’t where we wanted to be this year, but we did make some improvements that they can build on for next year.”