Army hopeful star QB Daily back next week

• Chris Low, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterNov 2, 2024, 10:33 AM ET

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  • College football reporter
  • Signed up with ESPN.com in 2007
  • Graduate of the University of Tennessee

WEST POINT, N.Y.– It wasn’t the way any person at Army would have drawn it up, but the No. 21 Black Knights revealed Saturday that they could win without their star quarterback and do it in a somewhat different fashion than they have to this point during their unbeaten season.Bryson Daily, a

Heisman Trophy candidate and the nation’s leading rusher amongst quarterbacks, was sidelined for the 20-3 damaging of Flying force at Michie Stadium after being not able to practice all week with an undisclosed injury. If anything, his lack only appeared to galvanize his teammates in a rivalry that never ever requires any extra motivation.

“It doesn’t matter who remains in the game. All of us trust each other. We all like each other, and that’s the most important thing about dipping into West Point,” said junior security Casey Larkin, who becomes part of an Army defense that obstructed three passes and collected 6 sacks.

“We go through a lot of difficult times together that it’s so easy to develop trust, specifically on this team.”

Army coach Jeff Monken said in his postgame press conference that he fully anticipates to get Daily back this season and informed ESPN that he seemed like there was a “great chance” Daily might return in time for the trip to North Texas next Saturday.The Black Knights(

8-0, 6-0) have actually won 12 straight games, the country’s longest winning streak dating to last season, and might take a commanding lead in the race for an area in the AAC championship game with a win over North Texas.” He’s going to play once again this season. It’s just a matter if we can get him back out there next week,” Monken said.”We hope he can. He’ll do whatever he can to be out there.”Fortunately for Daily throughout his recovery is that Army will get a bye week between the North Texas game and the Notre Dame game in Yankee Arena on Nov. 23. Monken decreased to enter the specifics of Daily’s injury. The

6-foot, 221-pound senior carried on 31 times for a career-high 171 backyards and represented six touchdowns, 5 hurrying and one passing, in the 45-28 win over East Carolina on Oct. 19. The Black Knights were off that next week, and Daily was able to practice throughout the bye week, however his concealed injury flared heading into this past week’s preparations.Monken stated he felt Daily’s pain when it ended up being apparent the Black Knights’senior captain would not be able to bet Air Force.

“There are no larger games in an Army football player’s profession than the Academy games, and I know how dissatisfied he was to not have the ability to play these guys today, “Monken stated.” He wanted to be a part of it, but he does not understand what a huge part of it he was today, simply the confidence he’s given this football group to be able to head out and play like we did today, building off the success that we’ve had with him as our quarterback. So he’ll get healthy, and he’ll be playing once again. It’s just disappointing to miss this game.”Junior Dewayne Coleman made his very first profession start in place of Daily, and while Army was held to a season low in points(20 )and overall backyards (255), he was constant and did

n’t dedicate any turnovers. After leading 6-3 at the half, Army went to what Coleman called their”culture plays “on offense in the 2nd half. Sophomore running back Kanye Udoh had 128 of his game-high 158 rushing lawns after halftime as Army managed the line of scrimmage. Coleman didn’t toss a pass in the second half.And on defense, even when Air Force did created a drive, Army made huge plays in its own territory to keep the Falcons out of completion zone. Larkin selected off a pass at his own 7 early in the 4th quarter with linebacker Kalib Fortner pressuring Air Force quarterback Quentin Hayes. The Flying force quarterbacks were under duress the entire game.Army has still not trailed in a game all season, the only FBS team that can make that claim, however Monken said Saturday’s game with Daily being out and the offense not finding any real rhythm in the first half was the first time his

group had actually dealt with any form of difficulty. “We had our backs to the wall and we had to combat, which’s good for our football group and we knew it was coming, “stated Monken, who has actually now won 12 of his previous 16 in service academy games(Air Force and Navy). Monken stated he wasn’t surprised to see the way the players responded around Coleman or the method Coleman never blinked when he was told he would be beginning for Daily. “It’s a good lesson for our players,”Monken stated.”They’re all going to serve in the Army and some of them will serve in units where things occur and someone has to step up, and if the pilot that’s flying the helicopter can’t fly the helicopter, you do not just take the day off to find someone else to fly the helicopter

. And when they’re jumping out of the helicopter and somebody turns their ankle and they can’t do their task on the flank or in the middle of the formation, they do not simply toss the white flag up and say,’Oh, well, we can’t do it now.'”Someone’s got to step up. “Even so, the Black Knights are going to need a healthy Daily to stay in the College Football Playoff chase. The highest-ranked Group of 5 conference champ will get an automatic spot in the playoff. The committee’s very first rankings will be released Tuesday night.Daily, one of four group captains, has actually been

Army’s beginning quarterback over the past two seasons and the primary cog in a Black Knights’ offense that had eclipsed 400 lawns of overall offense in all seven games up until the win over Air Force.Larkin stated he had an encouraging talk with Daily on Friday night at the team hotel.” I just stated,’Keep your direct,’and I understand he is

going to be back,”Larkin stated.”He’s one of the hardest workers in that locker room. He’s an amazing leader, so I can’t wait to get him back. But also congratulations to Dewayne Coleman can be found in, not flinching and doing his thing. His confidence is through the roofing.

That’s every guy on this team.”It was simply a fantastic effort, and I’m anticipating Bryson’s

rehab and simply getting onto the next week.”