Mario Hill News

Slow-starting Air Force won its sixth game Saturday to become bowl eligible and avoid finishing any worse than second in the Commander In Chief's Trophy series.

Army and Air Force broke for the locker rooms at halftime. And you'd think Army was winning by at least two touchdowns.

They are everything Army's football team aspires to be. They have a steady, not spectacular, offense that plays error-free. A swarming defense that creates nearly three turnovers per game.

You don't hear many "Beat Air Force" chants until game week at West Point. The Army-Air Force matchup is considered by some as the undercard of service-academy football.

The walk through the tunnel to the locker room was a quiet one. Some Army players had their heads down.

The walk through the tunnel to the locker room was a quiet one. Some Army players had their heads down.

The coaching was even more intense. If a player made one false step, he wasn't going to forget about it.

Alexander Robinson rushed for 127 yards and scored three touchdowns to help Iowa State beat Army 31-10 for its second straight win.

After three games, senior cornerback Mario Hill and his fellow defensive backs are excited with their progress on the field, especially their performance this past Saturday against Ball State.

Travis returned his second interception 18 yards for the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter and Army defeated Ball State 24-17 on Saturday.

Line: Eastern Michigan by 51 2 points Team records: The season opener for both teams.

National college football experts aren't giving Army much of a chance in 2009. Army was ranked no higher than 102nd in four preseason rankings of all 120 Football Bowl Subdivision teams.

College football shifts into high gear this week with a couple of Top 25 games Thursday and a full slate Saturday.

Head coach: Rich Ellerson 1st year 10th year overall: 60-41 Returning Lettermen Off 12, Def 17, ST 2 Lettermen Lost: 46 Ten Best Army Players 1..DE Josh McNary, Jr.