University of Houston
Army
Football Falls To Army, 28-14
10/6/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct 6, 2001
By CONNOR ENNIS
Associated Press Writer
WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) - Josh Holden ran for a career-high 151 yards and two touchdowns as Army snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 28-14 victory over Houston on Saturday.
The win is only the second for Army (1-3, 1-2 Conference USA) in its last 19 games. Houston (0-4, 0-3) has lost eight straight.
The game was the first played at Army's Michie Stadium since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Holden scored on runs of 3 and 5 yards. The second touchdown gave the Black Knights some breathing room heading into the fourth quarter against a Houston passing offense ranked 19th in the country entering.
The Cougars finished with more than 500 yards of total offense but couldn't get the ball in the end zone after several long drives. In the first half, Houston drove from its 3 down to the Army 4 before Kelly Robertson threw an interception that was returned to the Houston 11 and set up the go-ahead Army touchdown.
Trailing by 14 in the fourth, Houston drove inside the Army 10 but turned the ball over on downs.
The Black Knights had trouble containing Houston's vaunted passing offense, which came into the game averaging 276 yards a game. In the first half, Robertson was able to stand in the pocket for as long as he wanted, waiting for his receivers to break free in the Army secondary. He finished 27-of-41 for 367 yards.
Army's Chad Jenkins finished with just 168 yards passing, but he was effective - through the air and on the ground. With Army trailing 14-7 in the second quarter, Jenkins evened the game with a 16-yard keeper for a score.
The Cougars also were able to move the ball on the ground, with Joffrey Reynolds finishing with 101 yards. Chris Robertson had a 26-yard touchdown run for the Cougars.
Chris Roberston's score came after a drive of 99 yards. After Holden's first touchdown run and a touchdown run by Jenkins, the Cougars looked like they might pull the feat off again near the end of the first half. After starting their final drive of the half at their own 3, Houston drove down to the Army 4. A false start brought the ball back to the 9 with 42 seconds left in the half.
On the next play, Army linebacker Jason Frazier picked off Kelly Robertson's pass and returned it all the way to the Houston 11. Three plays later, Jenkins hit Clint Dodson at the side of the end zone for a 5-yard score and a 21-14 Army lead at the half.
Off the field, the day was marked by heightened security around Michie Stadium and patriotic messages inside it. Fans entering the stadium had to pass through metal detectors and weren't permitted to bring large bags or umbrellas into the stadium.
With both teams on the field before the game a moment of silence was held to honor the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks followed by the playing of "Taps." At halftime, New York Gov. George Pataki spoke, calling West Point a "great symbol of freedom."
