The Black Knights play for a school of 4000 undergrads who must all take advanced math, engineering and language courses and who have to keep up their grade point averages and assume military duties as well as train with the team. They face Conference USA linemen from schools like Connecticut, Louisville [corrected!], USF and Tulane who have 50-100 lbs and several inches over the Army line. Saturday's quarterback, Zac Dahman, is a slender guy, well under 6' tall. This weekend, his line protected him - not one sack - and he was able to nail his passes.

Kudos to coach Bobby Ross, his coaching staff and the team. I have several team members in my classes this term. The highest praise I've heard for Coach Ross is "he's a player's coach". Sure, he has a tremendous record before coming out of retirement to turn the Army program around. He led Georgia Tech to a national title and directed the San Diego Chargers (earning their only Super Bowl appearance in 1994) and the Detroit Lions in the National Football League. But none of that would have mattered if he hadn't been able to connect with and motivate the Army players.

Leadership matters.