No. 18 Army maintains composure in pursuit of perfect season with next visit to North Texas

DENTON, Texas — Army’s push for its first perfect season in 75 years doesn’t seem to be causing much of a stir among the Black Knights.

At least that’s coach Jeff Monken’s opinion; His No. 18 team has a 12-game winning streak dating back to last season; It is now the longest streak in the nation and Army’s best since 1949-50.

“I really don’t know how to put into words the temperament of this team,” said Monken, who led Army to its highest ranking since 1962. “As crazy as it sounds, they seem unfazed by the victories. Sometimes teams get into this situation and you’re like, ‘Oh my God.’ Oh my God.” There’s almost a pressure that you have to win the next one. I don’t think our people felt it.”

Next game is Saturday at North Texas, where the Black Knights (8-0, 6-0 American Athletic) will face their No. 5 defense nationally against the nation’s third-best offense.

That’s enough to give Monken some concern, even if he wasn’t aware that the Mean Green (5-3, 2-2) earned an emphatic victory over an undefeated team the last time they hosted a ranked opponent. UTSA was 11-0 three years ago when it lost 45-23 to Denton.

“I’ve been watching their offense for the last two hours and I want to throw up in my trash can,” Monken said. “They are very explosive and talented.”

The Black Knights, who have not fallen behind at any point in the winning streak, have been systematic in their triple-option offense for a long time. Monken says he’s not sure who will be responsible for this.

Bryson Daily missed last week’s 20-3 victory over Air Force due to an undisclosed injury and illness. At the time, he was leading the country in scoring with 19 goals.

Dewayne Coleman took over at quarterback, but the star of the offense against the Falcons was running back Kanye Udoh, who had a career-high 158 yards rushing and scored both touchdowns.

“His health is improving,” Monken said of Daily. “We estimate that he will be able to train before the weekend and this will allow us to determine his condition for the match on Saturday. I am optimistic because there is a chance.”

defensive tackles

As good as the North Texas offense is, a tough defense is the biggest reason behind the consecutive losses that have left them with a shot at bowl eligibility in coach Eric Morris’ second season.

The Mean Green lost 52-44 at Memphis and 45-37 at home against Tulane before having two weeks to prepare for Army’s unique offense. UNT ranks 121st in total defense, allowing 449 yards per game.

“We’re going to have to prepare for both of them,” Morris said of Daily and Coleman. “That doesn’t make things any easier by any stretch of the imagination. “Teams have struggled to figure these out all year.”

efficient pass

North Texas forward Chandler Morris leads the FBS in passing yards per game with 359.1 and is second with 29 TD passes.

The former Dallas high school star, who started his career at Oklahoma and transferred to TCU, about 40 miles south of UNT’s Denton campus, has four games of at least 400 yards this season.

Morris’ biggest target is DT Sheffield, which ranks second in the country with 10 goals.

“He is the most explosive player we have faced this year,” Monken said. “It’s exciting, it’s dangerous, and it gets everyone’s attention.”

almost perfect

The Black Knights committed just one turnover and are on a six-game turnover streak. The giveaway failed, meaning Army was the only team in the country that did not interfere. The run-based attack averages 8.1 passes per game.

Although the Black Knights couldn’t recover from a turnover, they did have 12 interceptions for a plus-11 turnover margin. Morris has eight interceptions, but six of those came in consecutive games earlier in the season.

Highs and lows

The Mean Green averages 528 yards of offense per game, while the Black Knights allow just 273 yards. UNT ranks sixth nationally in scoring offense at 40.8 points per game. Army is No. 1 defensively, allowing 11.3 points per game.