In a stunning turn of events, Army’s star quarterback Bryson Daily will be sidelined for this Saturday’s pivotal matchup against Air Force. The senior standout, who has been at the helm of the Black Knights’ resurgent 7-0 campaign, is dealing with an undisclosed injury or illness that prevented him from practicing this week.
Daily’s Dominance
Bryson Daily has been nothing short of spectacular this season, leading the nation with 19 rushing touchdowns and pacing all FBS quarterbacks with 909 rushing yards. The 6-foot, 221-pound dual-threat dynamo has already etched his name in the Army record books, setting new single-season marks for total touchdowns (26) and rushing scores (19) — and he’s done it in just seven games.
Daily is a unique talent. His ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs makes him a nightmare for opposing defenses. Losing him for any amount of time is a huge blow to this Army team.
– A source close to the Army program
Next Man Up
With Daily out of commission, the Black Knights will turn to junior backup Dewayne Coleman. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Coleman, who has seen limited action in his career thus far, will be making his first collegiate start against a stout Air Force defense.
While Coleman may lack Daily’s experience and electrifying playmaking ability, he’s a capable runner in his own right. The Georgia native has shown flashes of potential in his limited opportunities, averaging a respectable 4.2 yards per carry on 27 attempts this season.
Playoff Implications
The timing of Daily’s absence couldn’t be worse for an Army squad with College Football Playoff aspirations. The Black Knights, who are off to their best start since 1996, have emerged as the frontrunner to secure the Group of 5’s coveted playoff berth.
A loss to Air Force would deal a crushing blow to those hopes. It would also open the door for other AAC contenders like SMU and Memphis to seize control of the conference race.
This Air Force game is huge. It’s a rivalry game, it’s a conference game, and it has major implications for the Group of 5 race. Losing Bryson makes an already difficult challenge that much tougher.
– According to an Army insider
The Road Ahead
The Black Knights’ path doesn’t get any easier after Air Force. Road trips to North Texas and Yankee Stadium (to face Notre Dame) loom on the November slate.
The timetable for Daily’s return remains uncertain. Army officials don’t believe the injury is season-ending, but any extended absence would be a massive hurdle to overcome.
For now, Army’s championship dreams rest on the untested arm and legs of Dewayne Coleman. The junior signal-caller could go from obscurity to immortality with a strong showing against the Falcons. Regardless of the outcome, the college football world will be watching with bated breath.
