Riley Leonard, Coach Denbrock, and the entire Notre Dame offense will have their hands full on Saturday night when they face, not just the best defense in the AAC, but one of the best defenses in all of college football. We have your Army defensive preview here:
Photo by The Irish Tribune
The 9-0 Black Knights are experiencing their best season since at least 2021. Led by a high-powered rushing offense and top-ranked defense, here is how Army has fared entering this top 25, primetime matchup at Yankee Stadium:
vs Lehigh (42-7, Win)
at Florida Atlantic (24-7, Win)
vs Rice (37-14, Win)
at Temple (42-14, Win)
at Tulsa (49-7, Win)
vs UAB (44-10, Win)
vs East Carolina (45-28, Win)
vs Air Force (20-3, Win)
at North Texas (14-3, Win)
As a unit, Army’s defense is allowing 10.3 points (second-fewest in FBS) and 273.9 total yards per game (fifth-fewest in FBS). This top-ranked American Athletic Conference (AAC) defense has, no doubt, been one of the main reasons they are already locked into their conference championship after just nine games.
As mentioned in our “Army Offensive Preview,” the Black Knights boast one of the most disciplined squads in the country. They enter Saturday’s matchup averaging the sixth-fewest penalties and 15th-fewest penalty yards per game. Army Head Coach Jeff Monken hangs his hat on this aspect of his team.
One elite feature of this defense is, not just their success in the red zone, but not even allowing teams to enter their 20-yard line. Opponents have scored on just ten of 20 (50%) red zone trips, the lowest percentage in FBS. Their opponents’ 20 total red zone trips are tied for first-fewest in the country. This is an area Notre Dame’s offense must be better in on Saturday, as their 87.2% red zone conversion rate ranks only tied for 47th among FBS teams.
Army’s pass defense has been good this season. They make big-time plays while limiting opposing passers. The Black Knights’ 191.3 passing yards per game allowed is the fifth-fewest in the AAC and 32nd-fewest in the country. In addition, their 14 interceptions are tied for ninth-most in the FBS, while their nine passing touchdowns allowed are tied for 14th-fewest in the country. Opposing quarterbacks are averaging a 113.38 passing efficiency rating, second-lowest in the AAC and top 25 nationally, while 9.21 yards per completion allowed is the second-lowest in the FBS. Let’s preview some key players in this solid secondary:
Listed as a nickelback on Army’s roster is junior Casey Larkin. While primarily lined up in a safety position, the junior has 32 tackles including four for a loss and three interceptions (tied-3rd in AAC) this season. Larkin has five games with two or more tackles and had a two-interception performance in Army’s win versus UAB. The safety is, overall, an average defensive back, especially against the run and in coverage. Nine missed tackles this season are an issue and he has allowed 23 receptions for 233 yards and a touchdown on 34 targets in coverage.
One leader of this secondary is senior and team captain safety Max DiDomenico. Last season, he finished the year with 52 tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble in 11 games played. The captain has posted 37 tackles, four passes defended, and two interceptions this season. DiDomenico has five games with four or more tackles, including Army’s last game at North Texas, when he finished with a season-high in tackles (9) and passes defended (2). Also, the safety is capable of playing slot corner when needed. The senior defensive back has been very good in coverage and tackling this season. He is an average run-stopper for free safety.
The first true corner to keep an eye on is sophomore Jaydan Mayes. The young defensive back has recorded 15 tackles, three interceptions (tied-3rd in AAC), and two passes defended this season. Mayes, a well-rounded cornerback, has five multi-tackle games on the year. He has excelled in coverage and has been a reliable tackler and run-stopper. Mayes is someone Leonard and Denbrock should scheme the Notre Dame passing game around.
Another corner experiencing a breakout season is junior Justin Weaver. He has racked up 24 tackles and two interceptions on the year. Weaver has two or more tackles in eight of nine games played and, also, had an interception in Army’s last game at North Texas. The junior is another well-rounded defensive back with no notable holes in his game.
The third true corner to highlight is sophomore Donavon Platt. He only has eight tackles and two interceptions this season, but one of the picks did occur two weeks ago at North Texas. This should be a defensive back that Leonard and Denbrock target. The young corner has struggled in almost all aspects defensively. Platt is a poor run-stopper with three missed tackles on the season, and is below-average in coverage, having allowed nine receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown on 19 targets.
The final defensive back to keep an eye on is senior Chance Keith. Listed as a nickelback on Army’s roster, the senior can typically be found lined up in the slot corner or outside linebacker role. Like most of these Army defensive backs, Keith is also experiencing a breakout season. He has recorded 27 tackles and a sack in 8 games played this year. Keith has at least one tackle in each game played, including a season-high seven tackles at FAU and versus Air Force. Overall, Keith is a below-average defender whose greatest strength is his versatility. He does not have a noticeable impact in the pass rush or against the run, and he has four missed tackles while allowing 21 receptions for 183 yards on just 27 targets in coverage. Again, this should be another defensive back that the Notre Dame passing game attacks.
As talented as this Army secondary may be, where the Black Knights make their money is against the run. Their 82.6 rushing yards per game allowed is the fewest in the AAC and third-fewest among FBS teams. In addition, their three rushing touchdowns allowed are the second-fewest in the country. This week will be the Black Knights’ largest test of the season, with Notre Dame holding the 11th-best rushing offense in the country. Let’s preview the stars of this elite rush defense:
Army’s leading tackler this season is inside linebacker Andon Thomas. The junior has tallied 55 tackles, two passes defended, and an interception on the year. He has recorded at least two tackles in each game, including a season-high ten tackles at Tulsa and versus Air Force. Thomas is a great run-stopper in the middle of this defense. He is pretty average as a pass rusher and in coverage (has allowed 21 receptions 244 yards and a touchdown on 31 targets) but he could improve his tackling (13 missed tackles this season). Thomas will play a large factor in trying to slow down Notre Dame’s potent rushing attack.
Another inside backer to watch for is junior Kalib Fortner. Last season, he recorded 68 tackles including four for loss, two and a half sacks, a forced fumble, and a 44-yard scoop ‘n score. In addition, Fortner was named the Army-Navy Game MVP after posting ten tackles in the rivalry matchup. This year, the junior has tallied 49 tackles including eight for a loss. Fortner has had at least two tackles in each game, including a season-high of eight in three separate games this season. Overall, the junior is a solid defender. He excels against the run, is reliable in coverage, and is an average tackler. The inside backer duo of Thomas and Fortner could cause issues for the Notre Dame offense on Saturday night.
Army’s premier edge rusher is sophomore Elo Modozie. The outside backer has 22 tackles including five for a loss and a team-leading four and a half sacks this season. The young edge rusher has at least one tackle in seven of nine games played, including a season-high six-tackle and two-sack performance versus UAB. Modozie has been a great run-stopper, a good pass rusher, and is even solid in coverage when needed. His missed tackles could be cleaned up (five this season, including two at North Texas), but the sophomore is loaded with talent and potential. Modozie could be a game-wrecker for the Irish offense on Saturday.
The leader of this defensive line is senior and team captain Kyle Lewis. Last season, he recorded 25 tackles including two for a loss, a sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 12 games played. The versatile lineman can line up all over the line. Lewis has totaled 25 tackles including four for a loss, four sacks, and a forced fumble this season. He has at least one tackle in each game, including a season-high six-tackle and sack performance versus Air Force. Lewis enters Saturday’s matchup riding a two-game sack streak that he will be looking to extend. The senior lineman has excelled against the run, been good as a pass rusher, and is an average tackler.
The final defender to cover is sophomore nose tackle Kody Harris-Miller. After not seeing any game action last year, he has totaled 22 tackles including five for a loss and two sacks this season. Harris-Miller has at least one tackle in eight of nine games played, including a season-high five-tackle and two-sack performance versus Air Force. The sophomore excels against the run but has struggled as a pass rusher and with tackling.
On paper, it appears we are heading towards a hard-fought, low-scoring game. Again, this is the best overall team that Army will face, maybe of the whole year. Notre Dame had tremendous success in their first service academy, triple-option battle with Navy. The Black Knights do pose a more threatening defense. However, the Irish are more than talented enough to overcome this possible challenge.
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