Not a subscriber to GBK? There’s no better time than now as the Army Black Knights bring their 5-3 record and host the Air Force Falcons on Saturday at Michie Stadium.
On Saturday, the Army Black Knights host the Air Force Falcons, as the two programs will be bringing identical 5-3 records to their afternoon match-up.
Of course, when these two teams go head to head, records don’t necessarily reflect the intensity and combativeness that the players leave on the field.
And if you have never been out there as player, then the next best thing is to ask some of those who have and that is just what GoBlackKnights.com has done.
We had an opportunity to ask three former players just how important is is for the Black Knights to take down the Falcons on Saturday, as all three readily admitted that they have been keeping up-to-date with the team’s exciting season. Tony Coaxum, who is currently with the NFL Denver Broncos as Assistant Special Teams; former middle linebacker Stephen Anderson and bruising fullback Larry Dixon all chimed in.
“Very excited for this upcoming game vs Air Force,” said Coaxum, who is part of the 2000 graduating class and held down the cornerback sport from 1997-99. “It's going to be electric in Michie ... Bowl eligibility at stake as well has beating Air Force.”
A point that was reiterated by former two-year team captain and hard hitting linebacker, Stephen Anderson.
“How important is this win? It is the most important victory we have this year,” said Anderson, who played from 2007-10 and a member of Army’s last bowl participating team (2010). “Why...it's the next one! Why...it makes up bowl eligible! Why....because it's been too long since a victory. Why...because it is the first step to the CiC. Why...because we refuse to have the CiC decided in November. It's always decided in December. And it will this year. Army takes down #ChairForce first this weekend.”
Not to be left out, former fullback great Larry Dixon pointed to a win over Air Force this weekend being another building for head coach Jeff Monken and his staff. “I think it important we knock off Air Force,” said the 2015 West Point graduate. “I think we are taking strides as a program, and I think this is the next step in continuing to build a culture of winning.”
“I have seen every game whether 1 am in Korea or 12 pm on the couch in Texas,” added Dixon. “I'm a die hard. I think what you are seeing is the culture that Coach Monken and the team are building. There is a culture of competition. A culture of winning. A culture of fighting. There is a lot of pride when I watch the team play and excitement in where the program is going.”
For Anderson, he and wife have a new addition to their household, which means another Army West Point football fan.
“I will not be attending ... I was just blessed with my second son on October 17th, but I've watched every game,” stated Anderson, who appreciates the way the Black Knights defense has established their own legacy. “We are one of the top defenses in 2016. We fly to the ball with a reckless abandonment and controlled chaos it makes up for any miscues. We continue to control the clock and ground game but need to limit the turnovers. If army is +2 in the Turnover margin we win on Saturday hands down.”
“The time is now,” Anderson added. “What Army Officers do is physically incomparable to what Air Force officers do. We protect our nations sons and daughters into combat on the front lines and that mentality is evident in our football program. I could not be more proud to be in the Army football brotherhood and so pumped to see these young leaders of America take the field each and every week. Go Army, Beat Air Force!”
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