With the Fort Campbell Falcons struggling to score points, and on a nine game losing streak, some may have thought that the Falcons 15 year winning streak in the Army Bowl Series against Fort Knox could come to an end this season. Turns out that the end of the streak will have to wait at least one more season.
The Fort Campbell offense got going and the defense was more than effective, as the Falcons picked up the 27-12 win Friday night at Fort Knox. The Falcon offense, which was struggling to get anything on the board since the first half of the season opener, took advantage of six Eagle mistakes during the course of the game.
The first time game early in the game, After a pick by Elijah Jones, Matt Middleton hit Tyler Mackay on a wide receiver screen for an 88-yard touchdown to put the Falcons on top 7-0 with 7:37 to go in the first.
After another interception by the defense, the Falcon offense struck quickly again. This time it was a 31-yard touchdown pass from Middleton to Nathaniel Lake, who went high over a defender to make the catch, as the Falcons extended the lead to 14-0 inside the final minute of the first quarter.
It was even a good defensive play by the Falcons that led to Fort Knox’s first score. Michael Averhart blocked an Eagle field goal attempt, but Fort Knox was able to pick the block up and ramble to the end zone to make it 14-6 with 7:35 to go in the half.
Neither team was able to find the end zone for the rest of the half.
Following another Fort Knox turnover, the Falcons began to move the ball, capping it off with a 40-yard touchdown pass from Middleton to Elijah Crockett to make it 21-6 with 6:17 in the 3rd. Less than 3 minutes late Nathaniel Massey ripped off a 13-yard touchdown run to make it 27-6.
Fort Knox got on the board when Jerome Jones took it on the wildcat and rambled 15 yards to the end zone to make it 27-12 with 11:43 to go in the game. However, the Fort Campbell defense clamped down on the Eagles and that is how the game would end.
After struggling so much early in the season, the Falcon offense hit for 130 rushing yards and 226 passing yards. DeAndre Spence rushed for 93 yards on 14 carries. Matt Middleton was 11-20 with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Tyler Mackay led the receivers with two catches for 95 yards and a touchdown.
The Falcons improve to 1-4 on the season, and get ready to open district play next Friday at home against Trigg County. Fort Knox drops to 1-4.