Army fans took the team’s run-first identity to heart at West Point, where one student’s sign caught the attention of Mark Ingram II. It read, “The Forward Pass is Communist,” and Ingram celebrated with the student with a chest bump.
The joke has some truth behind it. Army’s Black Knights lean heavily on quarterback keepers, fullback runs and option pitches, rather than throwing the ball. The approach helps them control possession and keep the clock moving. It’s a very old-school style of football—and, admittedly, the kind that can make some fans nostalgic.
Through eight games in 2026, Army leads the FBS in rushing, averaging 342.5 yards per game. The team has gained 2,740 yards on 431 carries, or 6.4 yards per attempt, and scored 31 rushing touchdowns.
The passing numbers are a sharp contrast. Army ranks 137th among 138 FBS teams with 69.1 passing yards per game. The Black Knights have attempted 85 passes this season, averaging just over 10 per game, and have thrown four touchdowns. Nearly 83% of their offensive plays have been runs.
Army, 5-3, hosts Air Force, 6-2, on Saturday at Michie Stadium in West Point, New York. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The game is part of the annual Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy competition, and Army will be looking for its fourth straight win over the Falcons. The teams bring the nation’s top two rushing offenses into the matchup.
