Week 6: Army at Tulane

In what used to be a league contest, struggling Army, an independent, plays an improving Tulane squad in its second year under coach Bob Toledo. In a relatively short amount of time, the Green Wave has made strides, especially on defense, to set itself up as a factor, or spoiler, in a tough West Division.

Through four games, the Green Wave ranks first in multiple defensive categories, including: scoring defense (21.1 points per game), pass defense (176.8 yards per game), rushing defense (68.5 ypg), total defense (245.2 ypg), opponent first downs (56), sacks (15), pass defense efficiency (115.3) and opponent third-down conversions (9-of-43 for 20.9 percent).

Offensively, the Green Wave appears to have the foundation of what could become a productive unit. Sophomore quarterback Kevin Moore passed for three touchdowns in last week's win over SMU and junior running back Andre Anderson rushed 36 times for 219 yards.

Army will challenge the stellar rush defense average of the Green Wave, which ranks ninth nationally. Army averages 204.7 yards per game and is led by quarterback Chip Bowden, who also is a running threat. Army's loss last weekend to Texas A&M was its 10th straight, stretching back to last season when the Black Knights defeated Tulane. Army has lost 12 straight road games.
 
Notes:

Army's 280 rushing yards against Texas A&M represented a season high. It was the most by an Army team since the Black Knights erupted for 300 yards against Arkansas State three years ago.

Tulane running back Andre Anderson's 219 rushing yards against SMU was the seventh-best single-game total in school history. Setting a personal career-best rushing total for the fourth time in four games, Anderson is averaging 122.5 yards per game, which ranks eighth nationally.

Army cornerback Jordan Trimble and sophomore linebacker Stephen Anderson had career-best performances in the loss to Texas A&M. Trimble had a career-high 10 tackles. Anderson also set a career-high with the same number of stops, but added three tackles for lost yardage, which also was a personal best.

Tulane junior receiver Jeremy Williams finished with 124 receiving yards against SMU. It was the second 100-yard game of the season for Williams and the fifth of his career.
 
Key players (Black Knights) — Chip Bowden, QB

Bowden moved into a starting role against Texas A&M last weekend and nearly directed the Black Knights to an upset win in College Station, Texas. Bowden rushed for 128 yards and became the first Army quarterback to surpass 100 yards rushing since 1999. Tulane's rush defense may be up to the challenge, however, as it has held opponents to fewer than 70 yards rushing per game.

Key players (Green Wave) — Kevin Moore, QB

Moore posted the first three-touchdown game of his career in the win against SMU. All three of the TD passes came in the first half for Moore, who is completing 61.3 percent of his passes and has thrown for 987 yards in four games.

Tulane by 10