MANHATTAN, Kan. — There is a bit more which means when Army performs sure colleges in soccer.
Kansas State is one in every of them.
It may not seem to be it at first look. One of many nation’s flagship navy colleges has solely performed the land-grant school twice in its historical past, the primary matchup at West Level in 1966 and the second coming 21 years later at Kansas State.
But the Wildcats all the time have been intently tied to the Army. Their campus is a brief drive from Fort Riley, which traces its roots to the early 1850s, when it was constructed to guard settlers alongside the Oregon and Santa Fe trails. Over time, the bottom has served as the house to the famed Buffalo Troopers, and it stays the house of the famend 1st Infantry Division.
It’s common for troopers to take courses at Kansas State. And simply as frequent for its alumni to serve within the navy.
So when Army coach Jeff Monken was requested to ponder the Black Knights’ troublesome highway check in opposition to the Wildcats on Saturday night time, the primary silver lining that got here to thoughts was this: “Possibly we’ll have somewhat little bit of a hometown crowd in attendance, among the many enormous crowd that I do know will probably be cheering for them.”
Most likely wishful considering.
Nonetheless, Monken stated, “It is superior to be touring to a spot the place we all know there’s going to be American troopers shut by, and in attendance, and there is a satisfaction that comes with the Army staff coming to city. Meaning so much to us.”
It means so much to Kansas State, too. The college holds a “Fort Riley Day” every season, and naturally, officers selected the matchup with the Black Knights this 12 months. So the women and men of the Massive Crimson One — the nickname for the first Infantry — will probably be there Saturday night time with automobiles and demonstrations, and pregame ceremonies embrace a flyover and skydiving staff.
The a hundred and thirtieth Area Artillery Brigade, supplied by the Kansas Army Nationwide Guard and headquartered in Manhattan, additionally will probably be readily available. Their booming 75mm Pack howitzers will accompany the marching band’s halftime efficiency of the “1812 Overture.”
Pageantry apart, each colleges have so much to show on the soccer subject.
The Black Knights are coming off probably the greatest seasons of their storied historical past, when a 12-2 file included an ideal run by way of the American Athletic Convention and a victory within the Independence Bowl. However with a number of key gamers having departed, Army stumbled by way of final week’s opener, dropping to FCS-level Tarleton State in double time beyond regulation.
The Wildcats, who went 9-4 final season, opened this marketing campaign with a detailed loss to Iowa State in Dublin, Eire. Then they got here residence for a get-right sport in opposition to FCS-level North Dakota final weekend and wanted a last-minute landing to keep away from an upset.
“There aren’t any excuses, and we have talked about that with the blokes,” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman stated. “It is not a expertise subject. Now we have good expertise. It is an execution and somewhat little bit of a self-discipline subject, and people issues are going to get corrected.”
They’d higher get mounted in a rush. One of many greatest challenges in going through Army is coping with its triple-option assault, which few groups run in school soccer as of late. Two of crucial issues in stopping it: execution and self-discipline.
Klieman is aware of that in addition to anybody. He has confronted Monken earlier than, albeit in a a lot completely different state of affairs way back. He was defensive coordinator at North Dakota State in 2012, when the Bison beat Monken’s Georgia Southern staff within the FCS semifinals.
“Army will probably be a giant job for us,” Klieman stated. “They’ve a extremely good staff and so they’re very well coached. I’ve recognized Coach Monken an terrible very long time and have tons of respect.”
Each groups have a whole lot of respect for one another. A few of it has to do with soccer. A lot of it has to do with the navy.
“I guarantee you, all of our guys — our gamers — are excited in regards to the alternative to serve alongside all these women and men,” Monken stated, “and to grow to be one within the ranks, and fill management positions to information and lead troopers. So it means so much to them to know they characterize these women and men that’ll be there.”
Story Continues
© Copyright 2025 Related Press. All rights reserved. This materials might not be revealed, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
