The Impossible Dream, Winning Again at West Point: Remembering the 1984 Army Football Season

By Mike Belter

The book remembers the historic 1984 Army football season, where head coach Jim Young changed to the wishbone offense and motivated his players that they could win every game. This team had the first winning season in six years; beat Air Force and Navy; went to Army’s first bowl game and beat Michigan State; and had the greatest turn around of any team in NCAA history at that time. The seniors on the team provided great leadership throughout the season; all being recognized by West Point as team captains receiving the General Creighton W. Abrams Memorial Award; and were the first team invited to the White House to receive the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy from President Ronald Reagan.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mike Belter
• Release date: Jan 18, 2024
• ISBN: 9798215455302

Mike Belter

Mike Belter is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He also holds graduate degrees from Ball State University and Syracuse University. Mike has worked many years for one of America’s largest electric utilities in a variety of roles. He is heavily involved in the Baldrige process, being a volunteer in the national Baldrige Performance Excellence Program; state/regional programs, the Alliance for Performance Excellence, and the Communities of Excellence program. Mike is a retired Army Officer, having served in active Army, Army Reserve, and National Guard units as a Finance Officer, Operations Research Analyst, Inspector General, and Comptroller. He served in Desert Shield at Norfolk Naval Base and in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Baghdad. Mike and his wife live in the Midwest with their pound-puppies and love to holiday in Bermuda.

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The Impossible Dream, Winning Again at West Point: Remembering the 1984 Army Football Season

By Mike Belter

Published by Mike Belter

Copyright 2024 Mike Belter

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Introduction

Go Army!!! Beat Navy!!!

As I left West Point on Graduation Day in 1978, my classmates left behind the huge, 170-pound, Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy in the Cadet Mess Hall, demonstrating that our Army Football Team had defeated both Air Force (31-6) and Navy (17-14) in the 1977 season. And for our years as Cadets, that was not a common thing.

The victory over the Falcons came at the Air Force Academy, a place that Army had only won once, back in 1967 (10-7). Some folks said it was the high altitude and lack of oxygen. I got to go to the 1975 Air Force game, and we were soundly defeated, 3-33, and I personally found it hard to breathe walking the grounds over the weekend, and was very glad I did not attend that academy.

The victory over Navy came in the bitter cold after sunset in Philadelphia, and I continue to thank the Middie tailback for throwing the football over a future NFL receiver’s head in the back of the end zone on the last play of the game, when the tailback probably could have run it in for a winning touchdown. Well, the stars finally aligned, and after four straight losses to Navy, Army beat Navy my senior year. And I won back the four bathrobes I had previously lost, plus a fifth one.

I was then off to my basic officer course and my first assignment in Mannheim, West Germany. On to RAF Burtonwood in Warrington, England, and my next duty station was Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, Indiana. This being pre-internet and the days when a team could only be seen once on television each regular season, I only saw the 1978 and 1981 Army-Navy games (missed the 1979-80 games as there was no Armed Forces Network TV/Radio where we were in England). While overseas, I dug into the Stars and Stripes each Monday to see how Army Football had done that Saturday, usually being quite disappointed.

My assignment in Indianapolis plus young children provided no opportunities to travel back to West Point; and there were no away games nearby. But I did follow the Army Football Team, by going downtown to the library each week to find the box score and game description in the St Louis Dispatch or some other paper. In six seasons after I graduated, Army Football now was trying out its fourth head coach and in their best seasons (1978 and 1982), each had only four wins (playing eleven games).

Then, magic happened with the 1984 football season. Army Football was competitive again. And thanks to Oklahoma and Georgia winning their lawsuit against the NCAA, more games were on television and cable. I got to see the first night game at Michie Stadium on ESPN, with my Cadets stomping the Zoomies, 24-12, and their future Super Bowl Champion and Outland Trophy winner, Chad Hennings. And the newspapers began saying that Army might go to a bowl game. And on November 24th, Army did get invited to the Cherry Bowl to be held at the Pontiac Silverdome, just a little over 300 miles away. It was the first bowl game played and won in Army’s storied football history.

Much to my surprise, I was able to get four tickets to the bowl game. One of my junior officers in England was now stationed with the Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM) at the Detroit Arsenal, and she offered us the use of her apartment for a few nights as she was going home to Minnesota for Christmas.

My wife and I packed up our six- and four-year old children and we drove to Detroit. Our seats were in the first row of the second level in the corner of the stadium overlooking the goal line, surrounded by somewhat friendly Michigan State fans. After all, the Spartans were favored by three points, and the Detroit press expected a win by two touchdowns, at least. Boy, were the folks in Michigan surprised. And my son and daughter got to go to their first Army Football game, and we won. My first Army football game was a close loss at home to Tennessee in 1973.

Flash forward to my West Point Class’ 40th reunion in the fall of 2018. By this time, I had written books on the 1914 and 1977 Army Football Teams. Friends were asking what I might do next. My daughter and I had been to the 2016 and 2017 Army bowl games (as well as 1996 and 2010); so a book on bowl games was probably on my mind.

One of my best friends and classmate, introduced me to his Class of 1975 friend who was at USMA as a judge for Projects Day, and we got to talking about me maybe doing a book on Jim Young, the Wishbone years, or the 1984 team. So that is where the idea for this book came from, thanks to Jimmy and Bob.

Unfortunately, I was still working full-time, and I pushed this book off to start working on it in early 2020. But Covid-19 hit; and visiting West Point to do research on the 1984 team was pushed off two years. So I wrote the two-volume set on Army’s ten bowl games in 2022, because I had been to seven of the games, had a bunch of materials, and received support from bowl committees and opponent’s athletic departments in getting play-by-play and other statistics for the 1980s/1996 games.

I began this book at the end of the 2022 Army Football season by pulling together information I had and gathering information on coaches and players from the 1981 through 1987 seasons. This was expanded to the 1980 and 1988 seasons as I found two 1984 team members who started/ended their Army Football careers then. I went to West Point and researched the files that they had. By the end of July 2023, the book was essentially completed.

I then reached out to the team captains of the 1984 through 1987 Army Football Teams for their stories and comments. Over the last six months, their input made this book much, much more than just what happened. But why it happened.

So what you have in your hands or on your device’s screen is a book on the team that returned winning football to West Point, a team that was referenced by a national publication as one of the worst teams in college football; that made a conscious decision to change the culture of its team and indeed the academy, while becoming the first Army team to play and win a post-season bowl game.

Go Army!! Beat Navy!! Beat Air Force!! (In every sport and activity)

Mike Belter

Proud & Great ‘78

January 2024

Prologue

I asked fans at an Army Football website - what are some facts, things, or items about the 1984 Army Football Team that every USMA graduate or West Point football fan ought to know about? Here are their answers:

I know they tied Tennessee in Knoxville.

They put out a video tape summarizing the whole 1984 season, narrated by the legendary Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas.

Doug Black was the walk-on fullback. He had only played intramural football before that season.

The 28 points in the victory over Navy were the most dating back to 1949. I was at the game, and it was never close. The 28-11 final score did not reflect the total domination that day.

Nate Sassaman’s 150+ yards rushing against Boston College was a gutsy performance. Flutie gave praise during a post-game on-field interview.

"The 1984 Navy Game made the inside fold-out cover of Sports Illustrated."

First Army Football Team to go to and win a bowl game.

Nate Sassaman played the last five games with broken ribs.

The first time SkyCam technology was tried was at the 1984 Navy Game.

End of the ‘box’ lunch era given to the Corps of Cadets for the Navy Game. Those sandwiches were flying early in the second half.

[During the 1984 Navy Game] Most of the Corps had removed their Dress Gray coats, flinging them above their heads

Army played Montana in Japan in the Mirage Bowl. Four Army ball carriers each rushed for 100+ yards (Nate Sassaman, Doug Black, Clarence Jones, and Jarvis Hollingsworth).

Montana’s quarterback was Marty Mornhinweg (head coach of the Detroit Lions in the early 2000s).

The bowl game was the inaugural Cherry Bowl against Michigan State. We won 10-6.

The 1984 team was unique. The entire senior class were team captains. They got tired of losing and in a huge way did something about it!

The seniors from the Class of 1985 forced a cultural shift at West Point, where losing was unacceptable and positive self-belief and all-in commitment was the standard.

Chapter 1

Colgate - September 15, 1984

With 13:24 showing on the clock in Michie Stadium, the Cadets offensive team jogged from the sideline to the Colgate 47-yard line. The referee signaled that the ball was ready to play. On the Army radio broadcast, the analyst expected the quarterback to either quickly handoff the football to the fullback; or if he saw the Red Raiders defensive end moving to the centerline, to keep it and move parallel to the formation looking for an opening or if defended; to option the football to the trailing halfback. The team lined up in the wishbone formation.

Center Ron Rice hiked the ball into quarterback Nate Sassaman’s hands, who saw the defensive end being blocked by tackle Dave Woolfolk and tight end Rob Dickerson. Sassaman handed off quickly to fullback Doug Black, who then rushed for four-yards straight up the middle, following Rice and guard Don Smith’s blocking, before being tackled by the defensive tackle. And so began the 1984 Army Football Season, and the Cadets decade of success running the option in a punishing fashion.

***

The Saturday before, Colgate head football coach Fred Dunlap was a relatively happy man, seeing his Red Raiders open their 1984 season with a 9-3 victory over Connecticut. Beginning his ninth season with a 54-30-2 record (and 103 wins over his entire head coaching career), he saw his inexperienced team endure the normal opening game anxieties, nervousness, and jitters in allowing the Huskies to convert only one of two field goal attempts in the first half.

Dunlap inserted freshman tailback Kenny Gamble into the line-up for the second half, and was rewarded with 123 rushing-yards on thirteen carries, including a five-yard burst late in the third quarter for the winning score. His reliable kicker, Mike Powers, closed out the scoring with a 34-yard field goal in the final period.

With four minutes to go in the game, a lost fumble at the Red Raiders 32-yard line gave the Huskies some life. A three-yard run was followed by three straight incomplete passes, and Colgate could now run out the clock for the victory.

The Red Raiders had 359-yards in total offense (214 rushing and 145 passing), compared to the Huskies 304-yards (211 rushing and 93 passing). His veteran quarterback, Steve Calabria, the school’s all-time leading passer and the top returning Division 1-AA passer in the nation, worked his way through a terrible start (six incompletions of his first ten passes), and completed his last nine passes, primarily to flanker Tom Stenglein (6-53) and split end Steve Kinney (5-75).

For Dunlap, he celebrated Saturday evening, and was back in his office on Sunday worried about his next game with Army. From last year’s 15-13 victory, his offensive coaches felt comfortable with what to expect from the Cadets defense. But what could he do to prepare for Army’s new wishbone offense, with no film? A couple of his assistants had a little experience defending against the wishbone, and they were able to view films from Auburn, Air Force, and Oklahoma from last season to try to prepare for it. But trying to prepare his kids to use an entirely new defense in one week, well that was near impossible.

***

Preseason camp had finished the week after Labor Day weekend. Senior nose guard Mike Staver had reconstructive surgery on his left knee back in the spring, and given his rehabilitation, would not be available for the first half of the season (Staver was lost for the season, though he could have played against Navy). Mike Staver was a student coach for the Scout team during the 1984 season.

Another returning letterman, senior offensive guard Church Matthews, was scoped for some damage to his right knee over the Labor Day weekend, and was probably out for the next three games. Also, less than 100% for the Colgate game were senior fullback Tom Perry and sophomore halfback Benny Wright, both due to ankle sprains (Perry played). Senior halfback Jarvis Hollingsworth had seen limited practice time while nursing a knee sprain, which limited his playing time in the initial games of the season.

The expected starting line-up for the Army offense was junior split end and future general officer Scott Spellmon, senior left tackle Karl Heineman, senior left guard Vince McDermott, junior center Ron Rice, junior right guard and future All-American Don Smith, senior right tackle Dave Woolfolk, sophomore tight end and future Task Force 160th pilot Rob Dickerson, senior quarterback Nate Sassaman, sophomore left halfback William Lampley, senior right halfback Dee Bryant, and junior fullback Doug Black. The starting offensive line averaged 253 pounds per man from tackle to tackle.

The expected starting line-up for the Cadets defense was senior end Brad Allen, senior tackle Mike Sears, senior nose guard and future general officer Rob Ulses, senior tackle Jim Jennings, junior end Kurt Gutierrez, senior linebacker John Roney, senior linebacker Jim Gentile, senior cornerback Eric Griffin, senior strong safety Bob Silver, sophomore free safety Mike Tease, and senior cornerback Kermit McKelvy (the man who would seal Army’s Cherry Bowl victory later in the year with a game ending interception).

The punter was junior Dave Grasch, while the placekicker was junior Craig Stopa. Silver and junior Darold Londo were expected to return punts, while Lampley, Bryant, and sophomore Benny White were the kick return men. Long snappers were Rice, junior Dan Stredler, and sophomore Clint Pollitt.

***

The Colgate football team had an early lunch on Friday, then boarded buses for the four-hour trip to West Point. Because of the Amherst at Army junior varsity scrimmage game that afternoon in Michie Stadium, the buses first stopped in Newburgh NY at the Ramada Inn to check-in and change for a short workout.

The Red Raiders arrived around 6 pm for their brief workout, then stopped for dinner, and returned to their hotel for coaches meetings with their position groups. They had no idea they were about to meet a Cadet team that was completely transformed mentally, physically, and as a fighting a unit.

***

The Cadets left West Point on Friday afternoon to stay overnight in a hotel in New Jersey. Coach Young preferred to stay at off-post locations away from the pre-game distractions and hoopa at West Point. Like their opponents, the players first met with their position coaches, then with their offensive or defensive coordinators, and finally then with head coach Jim Young.

Little is recorded as to what was said in those few minutes, but Young told his team that he looked forward to seeing them in the morning for breakfast, as the eyes will tell him whether the team is ready play and win against Colgate.

Young had spent almost two years working on the team’s mental preparation to play, instilling techniques of visualization of successful outcomes. The words what the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve are at the tip of the tongue for any former player of Jim Young in those days. And this team BELIEVED they were going to crush their opponent.

Someone reminded the Cadets of the schedule on Saturday morning, and that the buses would leave promptly at 10 am (OK, I’m pretty sure they said 1000 hours to the Cadets) for West Point with all the Cadets in white over gray (summertime) uniforms.

****

This was the 22nd meeting between Army and Colgate, with the Cadets holding a series record of 15-4-2; that began with the first game in 1903. Colgate upset Army in 1983, 15-13; which was the third time that Colgate helped open a season (1-1-1). The Cadets enjoyed overwhelming success in season openers, with an 80-11-3 record. However, Army had not won an opener since a 28-7 win over Holy Cross in 1980.

Officials for the game were Raymond Bower (referee), Donald McDonnell (umpire), William Cronin (head linesman), George Marcoccia (line judge), George Cullen (field judge), Albert Ferber (back judge), Robert DePoto (clock operator), and Chester Zdrodowski (25-second clock).

The Colgate starting offense were Steven Kinney (split end), Don Day (left tackle), Mark McDonald (left guard), Mike Smith (center), Rich Clancy (right guard), Don Franklin (right tackle), Bob Raughley (tight end), Steve Calabria (quarterback), Stacy Hall (tailback), Bob Clark (fullback), and Tom Stenglein (flanker).

The Colgate starting defense were Bill Hecht (end), Mike Connor (tackle), Dave Young (tackle), Tom LeLoup (end), John McCabe (linebacker), Tim Driver (linebacker), Chris Drabin (linebacker), Eugene Robinson (cornerback), Walt Lopus (strong safety), Frank Speno (field safety), and Dave Reed (cornerback).

The weather for the 2 pm kickoff on Saturday, September 15th was cloudy, breezy, and cool; with occasional showers expected, with winds at 12 miles per hour, humidity 81%, and the temperature at 61 degrees. There were 32,032 fans at Michie Stadium, with the Red Raiders favored by 3.5 points.

The Colgate game captains were Bob Clark and John McCabe. The Army game captains were John Roney and Nate Sassaman. Army won the toss and elected to kick, with Colgate defending the North Goal.

First Quarter

Craig Stopa’s kick went into the end zone, and Kenny Gamble returned it 17-yards before being tripped by Doug Pavek. Mike Sears tackled quarterback Steve Calabria behind the line of scrimmage for a loss of seven-yards and a sack. John Roney and Kurt Gutierrez tackled Stacey Hall around the right end for a gain of three-yards.

On third down and 14, Calabria’s screen pass to the right was completed to Bob Clark for a gain of four-yards, stopped by Roney and Kermit McKelvy. Todd Buchner punted 35-yards to Darold Londo, who returned it six-yards before being tripped by Alan Swan with 14:24 on the clock. The Colgate possession was three plays for zero-yards.

On first and ten at the Colgate 47-yard line, Doug Black ran up the middle for four-yards, stopped by Mike Connor. Black rushed off right tackle for five-yards, tackled by Tim Driver. On third and one, Black rushed six-yards and a first down, stopped by Driver. Bill Hecht tackled Nate Sassaman for a loss of three-yards. Sassaman ran six-yards on a keeper to the right, stopped by Dave Reed. On third and seven, Sassaman gained ten-yards on a keeper to the right for a first down, tackled by Frank Speno.

Black rushed up the middle for three-yards, stopped by Dave Young and John McCabe. Sassaman pitched to Dee Bryant running to the left for a gain of one-yard, tackled by McCabe. On third down and six from the eight-yard line, Sassaman lost two-yards on a keeper to the left, stopped by Chris Drabin. Craig Stopa converted a 27-yard field goal attempt to make the score, 3-0, with 9:14 on the clock. The Army possession took ten plays for 31-yards.

Stopa’s kickoff was caught by Gamble at the three-yard line, and returned 17-yards, tackled by Larry Biggins. On first down, Hall gained two-yards around the left end, tripped by Brad Allen. Steve Kinney caught a 25-yard pass from Calabria and stepped out of bounds.

On first down on the Colgate 47-yard line, Jim Gentile and Allen stopped Hall after a gain of two. Sears tackled Calabria for a loss of nine-yards and a sack. On third and 17, Pavek broke up a Calabria pass intended for Bob Raughley. Buchner punted 58-yards to the Army two-yard line, where Mike Todisco downed the football with 7:00 on the clock. The Colgate possession was five plays for twenty-yards.

On first down on the Army two-yard line, Black ran one-yard off right tackle, stopped by Driver. William Lampley ran up the middle for three-yards, stopped by Driver. On third and six, Sassaman went wide right on a keeper for eight-yards for a first down, stopped by Dave Reed and McCabe.

Drabin tackled Black off right tackle after a gain of six-yards. Connor and Driver stopped Black off left tackle for no gain. On third and four on the Army twenty-yard line, Sassaman ran 13-yards on a keeper to the left, stopped by Walt Lopus. On first down on the Army 33-yard line, Sassaman pitched to Lampley going right, but LeLoup tackled Lampley for a loss of five-yards. Sassaman ran 35-yards off left tackle down the sideline for a first down, stopped by Dave Reed.

On first and ten at the Colgate 37-yard line, Doug Black went up the middle 37-yards for his first ever touchdown and first down with the clock at 3:00. With Nate Sassaman holding, Craig Stopa converted the extra-point kick to make it 10-0. The Army drive was nine plays for 98-yards.

That was the play that seemed to break the game open for us, said Young after the game. Doug played an excellent game and you have to remember he didn’t even play at all last year. He’s a tough kid and runs hard. A good game from the fullback position is one of the keys to the Wishbone.

Stopa’s kickoff went out of bounds, and Army was penalized five-yards for Illegal procedure. Gamble caught Stopa’s kick at the Colgate two-yard line and returned it 34-yards, stopped by Biggins.

On first down at the Colgate 36-yard line, Calabria rolled left and completed a pass to Kinney to the left flat for twelve-yards. On first down on the Colgate 48-yard line, Gamble ran four-yards up the middle, stopped by Gentile. Kinney caught a Calabria pass to the left side for 17-yards for a first down, forced out of bounds by Mike Tease.

On first down on the Army 31-yard line, Clark ran five-yards before being tackled by Gentile. Calabria completed a pass over the middle to Tom Stenglein for 14-yards, stopped by Roney. On first down on the Army twelve-yard line, Gamble rushed for four-yards going wide left, tackled by Allen. The clock ran out on the First Quarter, with the score, Army 10, Colgate 0.

Second Quarter

On second down and six on the Army eight-yard line, Gamble cut to the left but was dropped for a loss of four-yards by Allen. On third and ten, with Allen and Sears applying pressure, Calabria’s pass to the left side intended for Stenglein was incomplete. With Steve Kinney holding, Mike Powers converted a 29-yard field goal with 14:14 on the clock to make the score, 10-3. The Colgate drive took nine plays for 52-yards.

Powers kicked off to the Army one-yard line, where Kevin McKelvy returned it seven-yards before being stopped by Todisco. One first and ten on the Army eight-yard line, Black ran up the middle for five-yards, tackled by McCabe and LeLoup. On second and five, Doug Black rushed off right tackle and fumbled the football, recovered by Colgate’s Dave Young who made a two-yard return, with 13:24 on the clock. The Army possession was two plays for four-yards.

On first and ten on the Army ten-yard line, Clark was tackled by Gentile for no gain. Bob Ulses tackled Calabria for a loss of eleven-yards and a sack after the Colgate quarterback was pressured by Gentile. On third down and 21 on the Army 26-yard line, Calabria’s pass over the middle intended for Gamble was incomplete. With Steve Kinney holding, Mike Powers converted a 43-yard field goal with 11:54 on the clock, closing the score to 10-6. The Colgate drive took four plays for negative eleven-yards.

Powers kickoff off to the Army nine-yard line, where Bryant returned it 17-yards before being stopped by Tony Thompson. On first and ten from the Army 26-yard line, Sassaman completed a pass to the right flat to Bryant, with Speno forcing Bryant out of bounds after gaining 37-yards. On first and ten at the Colgate 37-yard line, Black rushed for four-yards straight ahead, tackled by McCabe. Sassaman pitched to Bryant going left, but Lopus tackled Bryant for no gain.

On third down and six, Nate Sassaman pitched to William Lampley going wide right, who ran 33-yards for a touchdown with the clock at 10:22. With Nate Sassaman holding, Craig Stopa converted the extra-point kick to extend the score, Army 17, Colgate 6. The Army drive took four plays to go 74-yards.

Stopa kicked off into the end zone, where Gamble downed the football. On first and ten at the Colgate twenty-yard line, Calabria pitched to Hall, who ran three-yards wide left before Gentile tackled him. Gentile tackled Gary Dolhon after a two-yard rush up the middle. On third and five, Calabria completed an 18-yard pass to Stenglein on the right side and a first down, stopped by Pavek.

On first and ten on the Colgate 43-yard line, Dolhon rushed up the middle for a gain of three-yards, tackled by Ulses. Calabria completed a 15-yard pass to Hall to the left flat to Hall for a first down. Kermit McKelvy forced Hall out of bounds on the Army 39-yard line.

On first and ten, Calabria pitched to Hall who ran wide right for nine-yards, forced out of bounds by John Thomson. Hall caught a pass over the middle for six-yards and a first down, tackled by Gentile and Roney. On first and ten, Roney stopped Hall for a gain of four-yards off right tackle. Calabria ran five-yards on a keeper to the right before Roney forced him out of bounds. On third and one, Calabria pitched to Gamble, who ran six-yards around the right end for a first down, stopped by Pavek and Roney.

On first and goal from the Army nine-yard line, Steve Calabria rolled left and passed nine-yards to Steve Kinney in the end zone for a touchdown with 6:24 on the clock. A penalty was called on Army on the play and the flag picked up, making the touchdown good. Colgate went for a two-point conversion. Steve Calabria’s intended pass for Bob Clark to the right side was broken up by John Thomson and no good. The score was now Army 17, Colgate 12. The Colgate possession was eleven plays for 80-yards.

Powers kicked off to the Army six-yard line, where Dee Bryant returned the football 19-yards before being forced out of bounds by Buchner. On first and ten at the Army 25-yard line, Black ran five-yards off left tackle before being stopped by Young. Sassaman ran three-yards to the right, tripped up by Dave Reed. On third and two, Black rushed three-yards off left tackle for a first down, tripped by Conner.

On first and ten at the Army 36-yard line, Sassaman kept the ball and rushed five-yards over right tackle, stopped by Young and Speno. Lampley then ran five-yards over right tackle and a first down, tackled by Young and Speno.

Sassaman ran a keeper to the right for five-yards, tackled by McCabe and Drabin. Black then rushed four-yards off right tackle, stopped by McCabe and Lopus. On third and one, Black was stopped for no gain by Driver and McCabe. On fourth and one on the Colgate 45-yard line, Black rushed up the middle for two-yards and a first down, tackled by McCabe.

On first and ten on the Colgate 43-yard line, with 2:18 on the clock, Bryant caught a seven-yard pass in the right flat. Speno forced Bryant out of bounds with the clock at 2:03. Sassaman than ran left on a keeper, rushing 15-yards and a first down before being tackled by Speno.

On first and ten at the Colgate 21-yard line, Nate Sassaman rushed for a 21-yard touchdown, with 1:34 on the clock. Craig Stopa converted the extra-point kick, with Nate Sassaman holding, to extend the score to Army 24, Colgate 12. The Army drive took twelve plays going 75-yards in 4:40 time of possession.

Stopa kicked the football into the end zone, where Hall returned it 16-yards, tackled by Pavek. On first and ten on the Colgate 16-yard line, Calabria completed a nine-yard pass over the middle to Hall, with Roney defending. Stenglein caught a 25-yard pass over the middle for a first down, defended by Bob Silver.

On first and ten, with 1:01 on the clock, Calabria’s pass intended for Kinney on the left side went out of bounds, defended by Kermit McKelvy. With 0:48 on the clock, Stenglein caught a 14-yard pass over the middle for a first down, stopped by Kermit McKelvy.

On first and ten on the Army 35-yard line, Calabria completed an eight-yard pass to Stenglein to the right flat, but Stenglein slipped down. With 0:28 on the clock, Colgate called a time out. A pass intended for Kinney to the left side was incomplete.

On third and two, with 0:22 left on the clock, the pass over the middle to Stenglein was ruled incomplete, with Thomson defending. With the clock showing 0:14, with Steve Kinney holding, Mike Powers’ 44-yard field goal attempt was short and no good. Army ball with 0:08 left on the clock. Colgate’s drive was eight plays for 67-yards.

On first down and ten from the Army 27-yard line, Sassaman fell down on the ball for a loss of three-yards. The Army drive was one play for a negative three-yards. At the end of the Second Quarter and First Half, the score was Army 24, Colgate 12.

The 24 points were the most scored by Army in any half in the previous 15 games, since the 1982 game with Columbia where the Cadets scored 31 points in the second half.

Third Quarter

Powers kicked off toward the South Goal to the Army five-yard line, where Bryant fielded the kick and returned it 23-yards. On first and ten on the Army 28-yard line, Nate Sassaman handed the ball to Doug Black, who fumbled the football, losing two-yards. The ball was recovered by Colgate’s Bill Hecht with 14:49 on the clock. The Army possession was one play for negative two-yards.

On first and ten at the Army 26-yard line, Steve Calabria’s pass intended for Tom Stenglein on the right sideline was intercepted by John Thomson and returned nine-yards before Thomson was stopped by Bob Raughley, with 14:39 on the clock. Colgate’s possession was one play for zero-yards.

On first and ten on the Army 35-yard line, Sassaman kept and ran four-yards to the right, tackled by Driver. A pitch to Lampley running right went seven-yards and a first down, forced out of bounds by Dave Reed. On first and ten at the Army 46-yard line, Lampley went six-yards over right tackle, stooped by Dave Reed. Black went over right tackle for five-yards and a first down, tripped by McCabe.

On first and ten from the Colgate 43-yard line, Sassaman pitched to Bryant late cutting down the left sideline for a gain of 14-yards, stopped by Speno and Dave Reed. On first and ten from the Colgate 29-yard line, Bryant went up the middle for three-yards, tackled by Drabin and Dave Reed. Doug Black rushed ten-yards off right tackle when Walt Lopus forced a fumble that Lopus recovered with 12:26 on the clock. The Army possession was seven plays going 39-yards.

On first and ten on the Colgate 16-yard line, Gamble was stopped for no gain off right tackle by Ulses. An attempted pass by Calabria intended for Kinney was incomplete, with Pavek defending. On third and ten, Jim Jennings tackled Calabria for a loss of eleven-yards and a sack. Buchner punted 32-yards to the Colgate 37-yard line, where Londo caught the punt and returned it four-yards, tripped by Swan. The Colgate drive was three plays going negative eleven-yards.

On first and ten on the Colgate 33-yard line, Sassaman went left for two-yards. A Sassaman pass attempt intended for Scott Spellmon cutting down the left sideline was incomplete, with Eugene Robinson defending. On third and eight, Black ran up the middle for three-yards, tackled by Connor and Driver. With Nate Sassaman holding, Craig Stopa converted a 45-yard field goal, with 9:40 on the clock. This extended the score to 27-12. Army’s drive took four plays to go five-yards.

Stopa kicked out of bounds. Army was penalized five-yards for illegal procedure. Stopa kicked into the end zone, where Gamble recovered the football and returned it up the middle for 33-yards before being stopped by Thomson. On first and ten on the Colgate 33-yard line, Gamble went wide right for three-yards, tackled by Roney and Gentile.

On a draw play, Gamble was tackled for a loss of one-yard by Roney and Gentile. On third and eight, Calabria’s pass over the middle intended for Stenglein was broken up by Roney. Buchner punted 38-yards to the Army 27-yard line, where Londo returned it 14-yards before being tripped by Swan, with 8:05 on the clock. Colgate was called for a Personal Foul and penalized 15-yards. The Colgate possession was three plays going two-yards.

On first and ten on the Colgate 44-yard line, Dave Pratt rushed five-yards off right tackle, tripped by Driver. Sassaman pitched to Lampley, who ran down the right sideline for an 18-yard gain and a first down, stopped by Speno. Pratt rushed four-yards up the middle, tackled by Young. Sassaman ran left for two-yards, tackled by Speno and Driver.

On third down and four at the Colgate 15-yard line, Pratt gained one-yard, stopped by LeLoup and Young. With Nate Sassaman holding, Craig Stopa’s 32-yard field goal attempt was low and wide; and no good, with the clock at 5:19. The Army drive was six plays going thirty-yards.

On first and ten on the Colgate twenty-yard line, Calabria’s pass intended for Gamble in the left flat was dropped and incomplete. Kinney caught a pass over the middle for a gain of twenty-yards for a first down, tackled by Mike Tease.

Calabria rolled right and completed a six-yard pass to Hall to the right flat, defended by Roney. Tease broke up a pass intended for Tim Walsh to the right flat. On third down and four, Mike Scott caught a Calabria pass for a gain of twelve-yards and a first down, tackled by Pavek.

On first and ten at the Army 42-yard line, Calabria rolled to the right, but the pass to the right side intended for Walsh was incomplete. Silver defended a pass intended for Walsh over the middle. On third and ten, a pass over the middle was deflected and caught by Hall, who gained 33-yards and a first down.

On first and goal at the Army nine-yard line, Pavek tackled Calabria on a run to the left for a loss of two-yards. Matt Buckner defended an attempted pass to Kinney to the left side. Silver broke up an intended pass to Hall on third and goal. Mike Powers converted a 28-yard field goal, with Steve Kinney holding, with the clock at 2:39. This closed the score to 27-15. Colgate’s drive took eleven plays to go 69-yards.

Powers kicked off to the Army five-yard line, where Jarvis Hollingsworth returned the football 21-yards before being tripped by Greg Manusky. On first and ten on the Army 26-yard line, Sassaman ran left for no gain, tackled by Speno. In one or two plays, Army was able to move the ball to the Army 40-yard line and a first down. Over the next three plays, Army gained nine-yards when the clock ran out. At the end of the Third Quarter, the score was Army 27, Colgate 15.

Fourth Quarter

On fourth and one at the Army 49-yard line, Dave Grasch punted 51-yards into the end zone. Colgate was called during the play for a Substitution Infraction and penalized fifteen-yards. On first and ten at the Colgate 36-yard line, Black rushed four-yards straight ahead, stopped by Speno and Young. Sassaman pitched to Lampley running right who gained nine-yards and a first down before being tackled by Speno.

On first and ten at the Colgate 23-yard line, Clarence Jones rushed five-yards before being stopped by Young. Black ran four-yards up the middle, tackled by McCabe and Driver. Black gained five-yards and first down off right tackle before being tripped by Speno.

On first and goal at the Colgate nine-yard line, Black gained five-yards up the middle before being stopped by McCabe and Driver. Black rushed two-yards off right tackle, stopped by Driver and McCabe. Young tackled Black who gained one-yard up the middle.

On fourth and goal at the Colgate one-yard line, Nate Sassaman went left and over the goal line for a touchdown with the clock at 10:38. Craig Stopa converted the extra-point kick, with Nate Sassaman holding, to make the score 34-15. The Army drive took 15 plays to go 74-yards.

Stopa’s kick was downed in the end zone by Gamble. On first and ten at the Colgate twenty-yard line, Calabria completed a nine-yard pass to Hall in the right flat, with Roney defending. Walsh caught a pass over the middle for a gain of 17-yards and a first down, tackled by Thomson.

On first and ten at the Colgate 46-yard line, Pavek and Roney tackled Hall after he caught a five-yard pass. Clark rushed nine-yards over right tackle and a first down, tackled by Pavek. On first and ten at the Army 40-yard line, Stenglein caught a pass reception over the middle for a gain of eleven-yards and a first down, stopped by Pavek and Eric Griffin.

On first and ten at the Army 29-yard line, Kermit McKelvy blitzed the quarterback, and Calabria threw an incomplete pass. Colgate was called for Illegal Procedure and penalized five-yards. Stenglein caught a nine-yard pass in the right flat with Griffin defending.

On third and six, a pass over the middle intended for Brian Salerno was broken up by Griffin. On fourth and six at the Army 25-yard line, a pass to the left side intended for Brian Crowley was incomplete with the clock at 7:24. Loss of downs by Colgate, Army football. The Colgate drive took nine plays for 55-yards.

Rob Healy came on the field as the Army quarterback. On first and ten at the Army 26-yard line, Pratt ran four-yards up the middle, stopped by Young. Healy pitched to Bryant running left for a gain of three-yards before Drabin forced Bryant out of bounds. On third and three, Pratt went up the middle for two-yards, stopped by Manusky and McCabe. Grasch punted 33-yards to the Colgate 32-yard line, where Hall was immediately tackled by Kermit McKelvy and Bob Kleinhample for no return.

On first and ten at the Colgate 32-yard line, Bill Sanders pursued Calabria behind the line of scrimmage, who finally threw an incomplete pass intended for Kinney. On second and ten, Steve Calabria’s pass intended for Tim Walsh was intercepted by Marty Baptiste at the Colgate 47-yard line with no return at 5:42 on the clock. The Colgate drive was two plays with zero-yards.

On first and ten at the Colgate 47-yard line, Healy ran off right tackle and then cut back to gain 21-yards and a first down, tackled by Drabin. Andy Peterson ran up the middle for two-yards, stopped by Connor. Hollingsworth ran two-yards off left tackle, stopped by Connor and Manusky. Healy ran wide right for a gain of three-yards, stopped by Tony Rusnak and Thompson. On fourth and three at the Colgate 19-yard line, Healy rushed seven-yards to the right for a first down, tackled by Tony Khalife.

On first and ten at the Colgate twelve-yard line, Healy rushed six-yard to the right, tackled by John Torres. Tom Perry gained two-yards up the middle, stopped by Rusnak. Peterson rushed one-yard off left tackle, tackled by Rusnak. On fourth and one at the Colgate three-yard line, Healy ran two-yards to the right for a first down, stopped by Mike Powers.

On first and ten at the Colgate one-yard line, Andy Peterson ran off right tackle for his first touchdown with the clock at 0:47. John Lopes converted the extra-point kick to make the score 41-15. The Army drive took ten plays to go 47-yards.

Jeff Thor kicked off to the goal line, where Kenny Gamble returned the football 23-yards before Lou Dainty forced a fumble, and Bob Kleinhample recovered the football for Army with the clock at 0:38.

On first down at the Colgate 23-yard line, Tory Crawford took the snap and was tackled behind the line of scrimmage by Manusky for a loss of six-yards. Crawford dropped back and took a knee with a loss of three-yards, stopped by Rusnak, as the clock ran out. End of Game at 4:45 pm. Final Score - Army 41, Colgate 15.

Game Statistics

Army had 24 first downs (22 rushing); rushed 441-yards on 81 carries; completed two out of three passes for 44-yards with no interceptions; lost three of four fumbles; had three penalties for 25-yards; intercepted two passes; and punted only once. Army dominated time of possession (36:03).

Colgate had 16 first downs (14 passing); rushed 19-yards on 24 attempts; completed 22 out of 42 passes for 299-yards with two interceptions; lost its only fumble; had three penalties for 35-yards; and punted four times.

For Colgate, Hall gained 23-yards rushing, with Clark (14) and Gamble (12). Calabria passed for 299-yards. Stenglein caught seven passes for 100-yards, Hall was 7-83, and Kinney was 5-83 with one touchdown. Buchner punted four times for a 40.8 average. Powers made three out of four field goal attempts. Gamble returned six kickoffs for a 23.3 average.

For Army, Black rushed for 124-yards on 27 carries and one touchdown, while Sassaman was 18-123 and two touchdowns, Lampley 12-102 and one touchdown, Healy 5-39, Bryant 5-32, and Pratt 4-16. Sassaman had 44-yards passing. Bryant caught two passes for 44-yards. Grasch punted once for 33-yards. Stopa converted two out of three field goal attempts. Londo returned three punts for a 9.7 average. Bryant returned three kickoffs an average of 19.7.

On defense, Gentile had 11 total tackles, while Kermit McKelvy had nine, with Pavek (8), Roney (8), Allen (6), and Tease (5). Sears had two tackles for loss (TFL), while Gentile, Pavek, Allen, Jennings, and Ulses each had one. Thomson had three pass deflections, while Tease had two, with Kermit McKelvy, Pavek, Roney, and Silver with one each. Dainty caused the one Colgate fumble, which Kleinhample recovered. Thomson and Baptiste each intercepted one pass.

Besides the 22 Cadets who started on offense and defense, a total of 42 others played in the Colgate game. They were - Baptiste, Biggins, Buckner, Chamberlain, Crawford, Dainty, Drisdale, Edmonds, Grasch, Healy, Hollingsworth, Horton, Jones, Karsonovich, Kleinhample, Krawczyk, Londo, Lopes, Malloy, Manausa, McGuire, Kevin McKelvy, Pavek, Perry, Peterson, Piscoran, Pratt, Rollins, Sanders, Sauter, Schleiden, Gordy Scott, Shultz, Simonelli, Stopa, Stredler, Strifler, Thomson, Walker, and White. There were no significant injuries due to the game.

It was the most rushing-yards since the 1975 Lehigh game, when Army ran 444-yards using the wishbone under head coach Homer Smith in beating the Engineers, 54-32. It was also the first time since at least the 1945 season that Army had three players each rush for more than 100-yards.

Nate Sassaman was named ECAC Division 1-A Offensive Player of the Week. Doug Black was named to the ECAC Honor Roll. Colgate finished the season with a 5-5 overall record unranked, while it was ranked as high as #10 in the Division 1-AA Poll in early October.

***

In the season’s highlight film, narrator Harry Kalas said, Army took to the wishbone like Cadets do a weekend pass. A new positive attitude emerged from fall practice and became evident in Army’s opening game with Colgate. Army’s 41 points were as many as they had scored in any game since 1980.

This is a big step in the right direction for us, said head coach Jim Young. But we haven’t arrived yet. We still have a long way to go. But this team is really happy to get a win in this game since we didn’t win our opener a year ago.

Considering we only had two wins all of last year and we have one right now makes for a pretty good feeling. This is a completely different team than it was a year ago. We played with more poise and we are physically tougher. The players want to prove they can win here.

Nate went the wrong way on two plays in the first half, wrote and joked Young three decades later. Even today when we see each other, I never let him forget that.

Chapter 2

The 1977 - 1982 Army Football Seasons

This chapter covers the next six football seasons prior to Jim Young being appointed as Army head football coach.

The 1977 Army Football Team

The beginnings of the 1984 football season start with what happened over the previous seven seasons. The 1977 Army Football Team achieved a 7-4 record, beating both Navy and Air Force while earning the Commander-in Chief’s Trophy for only the second time.

The team also received a bid for the Independence Bowl that USMA Superintendent Lieutenant General Andrew Goodpaster promptly declined. This rebound from a 0-10 record in 1973 with four seasons under head coach Homer Smith led to higher expectations by USMA leadership and Army fans.

For more details on the 1977 Army Football Team, please refer to my book, Operation Black September: The 1977 Army Football Team, published in 2018.

The 1978 Army Football Team

As the 1977 football season ended, college football coaching life continued for the Army staff. Eight out of 16 members of the 1977 coaching staff continued for the 1978 season under Homer Smith. Continuing also were Ed Pillings (head trainer) and Dick Hall (equipment manager). Clennie Brundidge and Chuck Schott were elected co-captains for the 1978 team.

Spring practice began in April and finished with the annual Black and Gold Game at Michie Stadium on May 7th. About 107 Cadets participated in the game. In the middle of the first quarter, quarterback Earle Mulrane scored a touchdown on a one-yard keeper to put the Gold team up, 7-0. Ward Whyte caught a twelve-yard touchdown pass from Mulrane that bounced off of linebacker John Hilliard to make it 14-0 early in the second quarter.

Ken Topping plunged over the goal line from the one-yard line to put the Black squad on the scoreboard, 14-7, midway through the second quarter. Bobby Vicci scored on a ten-yard run early in the fourth quarter for the Gold team. The final score was 20-7, Gold. Mulrane completed 14 out of 22 passes for 102-yards. Jim Merriken rushed for 36-yards on 11 carries.

In the June 1978 edition of the Assembly, Lieutenant General Goodpaster said Coach Smith has added a number of new coaches to his staff, and the spirit at spring football practice is one of enthusiasm and optimism. Some of the plebes look particularly good, and there’s enough contact at the scrimmages to satisfy any of our old grads! We’re looking forward to the fall season, and we hope to see many of you at West Point for the home games.

In the September 1978 edition of the Assembly, Goodpaster’s letter was straight forward I look forward to welcoming you back at West Point this fall for Homecoming – and another winning football season!

The 1978 Army Football Guide prospectus was entitled We expect to be a better Football Team. The team had 13 starters from the Army-Navy game and 26 lettermen returning for the season. I firmly believe we will be a better team than we were in 1977, said Smith, We wanted our players to feel that way by the close of spring drills, and I believe we accomplished that. I will make no predictions on numbers, but we expect to be a better football team this fall.

Season predictions in newspapers included Jimmy the Greek’s assessment How to replace Leamon Hall, the greatest Army passer in recent memory, is the question. Earl Mulrane will get the nod. If he’s as good as I think he is, Army will improve on its 7-4 record of last year.

The Associated Press article was more blunt, Neither Army, Navy, or Rutgers figures to show much improvement over last season. Finding a quarterback is the perplexing problem facing Coach Homer Smith at Army. Another article mentioned the loss of Hall and Greg King, but felt the eight starters back on the Cadets defense would offer hope.

The 1978 schedule for Army looked promising at the beginning of the season with the Assembly expecting at least eight wins, if not more. It started with three straight home games – Lafayette (with a 5-6 record in 1977), Virginia (1-9-1), and Washington State (6-5); before an away game in Knoxville with Tennessee (4-7).

The Cadets would then host Holy Cross (2-9) before traveling to Gainesville to meet the Florida Gators (6-4-1); followed by three straight home games – Colgate (10-1), Air Force (2-8-1), and Boston College (6-5), before traveling to meet preseason #14/NR Pittsburgh (9-2-1) followed by the Navy (5-6) game.

On September 16th against underdog Lafayette, Corky Messner opened the season with a 30-yard field goal, but Jim Merriken went down on his fourth rushing attempt with a sprained ankle while Earl Mulrane was battling an ankle sprain that limited calling option plays. George Mayes caused a fumble recovered by Kirk Thomas that led to an eight-yard touchdown pass from Mulrane to Clennie Brundidge for a halftime lead of 10-7.

Mulrane’s one-yard sneak in the third quarter made the score 17-7, but a Leopards 57-yard kickoff return and a personal foul put the ball on the Army 13-yard line, and Lafayette closed the score to 17-14 a minute later. A sustained drive starting with six minutes left in the game ended with a two-yard touchdown plunge and a Cadets 24-14 victory. Lafayette would finish the season with a 4-7 record, under head coach Neil Putnam, in his eight season. Clennie Brundidge and George Mayes were named to the weekly ECAC All-Star team.

The 7.5-point favored Cadets failed to take advantage of a John Hilliard interception on Virginia’s first possession on September 23rd as Corky Messner missed a 35-yard field goal attempt. Army then scored on their next two possessions to take a 14-0 lead, the second one due to a Kirk Thomas interception. A fumble on a punt return by Phil Macklin led to the first Virginia score.

Dan Webb intercepted another Cavaliers pass that led to a first and goal late in the second quarter, but it only resulted in a Messner 19-yard field goal for a 17-7 lead at halftime. Virginia was able to rally and mount a sustained drive for a pair of touchdowns in the second half for a 17-21 victory. Virginia would finish the season with a 2-9 record, under head coach Dick Bestwick, in his third season.

The 16-point favored Washington State came to Michie Stadium on September 30th with a 3-0 record, and Coach Smith asked Red Blaik to do a pre-game prep talk to the team. Blaik ended with All I am going to say is that when you come off that field this afternoon, I want each and every one of you to say to yourself, ‘I played to the best of my ability.’ If you do that, the score will take care of itself. Good luck. Co-captain Chuck Schott said the entire squad was mesmerized and applauded the former coach after the morning talk.

Army opened the scoring against Washington State early in the second quarter with a five-yard touchdown run on a 47-yard nine play drive due to a nifty 18-yard punt return by Phil Macklin. Heisman Trophy candidate Jack Thompson then led the Cougars to three straight touchdowns and a 7-21 halftime lead. The 17-point underdog Cadets rallied, with Phil Macklin picking off two Thompson passes and Jon Hallingstad intercepting one, while the defense forced two fumbles.

Midway through the third quarter, Cadet defensive back Steve Smith came in as the reserve quarterback, and his option running loosened the Cougar pass-oriented defense. Army was able to turn two turnovers into two touchdowns in the second half. A 50-yard field goal attempt by Corky Messner into the wind fell just short in the final seconds for a 21-21 tie. Washington State would finish the season with a 3-7-1 record, under head coach Jim Walden, in his first season. Phil Macklin was named to the weekly ECAC All-Star team.

Unfortunately, injuries were depleting the starting line-up. Even though Tennessee was 0-2-1 under Johnny Majors, the Cadets were two touchdown underdogs for the game on October 7th. The Volunteers quickly scored a touchdown and then a field goal. Army drove 64-yards into the red zone late in the first quarter, but Earl Mulrane was intercepted. On the next possession, the Cadets marched 71-yards in seven plays to score for a 7-10 halftime deficit.

While the Army defense held the Tennessee quarterback in check in the first half, he was able to score two touchdowns in the third quarter that broke the game open. A Mulrane pass was intercepted and returned 31-yards for a touchdown a minute later. Army was able to march 84-yards in the final period for a score. Army outgained Tennessee and Kirk Thomas had another interception, for a 13-31 loss. Tennessee would finish the season 4-7, under head coach Johnny Majors, in his second season. Kirk Thomas was named to the weekly ECAC All-Star team.

On the next weekend at Michie Stadium on October 14th, unbeaten Holy Cross (4-0) came off a bye week to meet the 3.5-point favored Cadets. Tom Hayden was lost for the season with a knee injury suffered at Tennessee. Injured and not playing against Holy Cross included Earl Mulrane, John Hilliard, Doug Turrell, and Jim Merriken, with George Mayes, Duane Fuller, and Kirk Thomas playing with injuries.

The Crusaders turned two Army fumbles into first half touchdowns and prevented a Cadets score by recovering another fumble for a 0-17 halftime lead. Holy Cross drove 79-yards on its opening second half possession to make it 0-24. Plebe quarterback Jerryl Bennett was substituted for reserve Steve Smith, completing eight of 17 passes for 148-yards in the second half.

Army had six turnovers and lost 0-31 on a rainy and miserable day. Holy Cross would finish the season with a 7-4 record, under head coach Neil Wheelwright, in his third season. Jon Hallingstad was named to the weekly ECAC All-Star team.

For the third straight weekend, an Army opponent scored 31 points, as Army traveled down to the Swamp to meet 16.5-point favored Florida (1-3) for their Homecoming Game on October 21st. Army entered Gators territory twice each half and got as far as the Florida 29-yard line. Ward Whyte punted nine times for a 46.9-yard average, including four punts going more than 50-yards.

Army scored in the second quarter on a 23-yard return after blocking a Gator punt to tie the game at 7-7, but Florida intercepted an Earle Mulrane pass and scored on a 44-yard touchdown pass with a minute left in the half. Army’s record fell to 1-4-1, losing 7-31. Florida would finish the season with a 6-4-1 record, under head coach Doug Dickey, in his ninth season. Ward Whyte was named to the weekly ECAC All-Star team.

Coach Smith decided to start plebe quarterback Jerryl Bennett instead of Steve Smith, as Mulrane had injured his elbow against Florida. The Homecoming crowd of 30,673 saw Jerryl Bennett complete 17 of 33 passes for 214-yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions and Jim Merriken run untouched for a 49-yard touchdown. Steve Smith threw a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

Clennie Brundidge caught four passes for 57-yards and a touchdown, his 12th in his career tying an Army record. Phil Macklin had one of the four Cadets interceptions and recovered a fumble. Coach Smith also called all the offensive plays from the press box during the game. The Cadets won in a rout, 28-3. Colgate would finish the season with a 3-8 record, under head coach Frederick Dunlap, in his third season.

Superintendent Goodpaster described the game in his December 1978 letter to graduates in the Assembly, The weather was cool and crisp, and the football team’s win over Colgate (1-5) made it a perfect weekend for all of us.

The 9.5-point underdog Air Force (3-5) entered Michie Stadium on November 4th determined to avenge two straight losses to West Point and potentially tie for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy (Navy had beaten the Falcons earlier, 37-7).

The Falcons recovered a fumble on the Army ten-yard line early in the first quarter and gained eight-yards on their first rushing play. Three straight times Air Force tried to cross the goal line and were stopped by the Army defense. Army responded late in the first quarter with a one-yard touchdown run for the only score in the first half.

Army fumbled on its opening second half possession, and Air Force kicked a field goal to close to 7-3 early in the third quarter. Coach Smith decided to call on Earl Mulrane to relieve his plebe quarterback. A crowd of 40,115 welcomed Earl Mulrane’s return as he hit Jim Merriken on the right flat and high-stepped it 65-yards to the Air Force two-yard line to set up the second touchdown four plays later. Air Force hit a long field goal to make it 14-6 midway in the third period.

After the Falcons kickoff into the end zone, Mulrane hit Clennie Brundidge on the Army 35, and he ran it for an 80-yard touchdown reception for a career Army record. The Falcons scored late in the fourth to close to 21-14. An attempted onside kick did not go ten-yards, and Army took over.

Mulrane ran 32-yards, Merriken picked up two, and then Mulrane ran 15-yards for a touchdown with 37 seconds left in the game to close out the scoring, 28-14. Air Force would finish the season with a 3-8 record, under head coach Bill Parcells, in his first season. Clennie Brundidge and Bob Avey were named to the weekly ECAC All-Star team.

A winless but only two-point underdog Boston College team (0-6) came to West Point on November 11th, and the Eagles played perhaps their best game of the season. Army was able to rally after being down 7-24 early in the third period, including a 47-yard pass to Jim Merriken to set up a score; a recovered fumble on the kickoff by Doug Lowrey; a touchdown pass to Clennie Brundidge; a failed Eagles field