Another Game, Another Injury.

Marquee players seem to have a mark on them this year as first string starters have gone down in every single game.

This time it was Pat Mealey who left the game with an undisclosed leg injury. Hopefully we'll get a positive report from about his condition. Another player who was seemingly invisible was Jared Hassin. Sal gives us a little bit about Hassin's condition.

The offense was pieced together in the second quarter. Freshman slotback Jonathan Crucitti saw his first action of the season, replacing Mealy, who left with a knee injury and didn't return. Fullback Jared Hassin, who experienced back spasms throughout the week, didn't start and was limited to 17 yards on five carries. Freshman slotback Raymond Maples was held out of the game with an ankle injury. Steelman left the game late in the fourth quarter after getting banged up.

"We were on eggshells with a couple of positions," Ellerson said. "We're fortunate that most of the guys we have banged up are going to come back here shortly."

Army is in no place to complain about injuries compared to North Texas - the Mean Green lost another three players today, their center backup QB and a wide receiver adding up to 10 starters lost through the first three games. You have to feel for a team like North Texas facing circumstances like that,  it will be tough for them to rebound from these injuries and the Mean Green begin Sun Belt conference play next Saturday.

Trent Steelman played well, but I would have liked to see Max Jenkins spell him a little more often. At one point early in the 3rd Quarter Steelman was slow getting back to the line of scrimmage and the team took a delay of game penalty for the wincing QB. No question, Steelman is a horse and he's going to want to play every minute he can... but the reality of the game and the rigors of the position dictate that Trent will get dinged up over the course of the year and Army is going to need him down the stretch. 
As for now, I will take the yesterday's win as an expected performance in a must-win situation.

Next week brings a tough task as the Black Knights go on the road to face the Duke Blue Devils. Duke got smoked at home by Alabama on Sat. but this road trip will provide a significant step up in the opponent's talent and the situational adversity as Wallace Wade Stadium has some, let's say,  'dated' amenities for its visiting teams.

Win the next game and Army is in great shape to achieve the 6 wins it wants for bow eligibility - lose the Duke game and doubts about Army's postseason will certainly surface.

I'll have more on the Duke Blue Devils as we move through the week - for now, here's your Army/North Texas Story,  Stats and Highlights.