Rick Johnston recaps the football team's trip to Fort Benning for their annual Black/Gold Game. The feature also includes interviews focusing on this unique experience.
Yankee Stadium Series: Army vs. Rutgers, Nov. 12, 2011 (AP Photos)
About Powis: Returning for his third year as the starter at center ... team has led the nation in rushing in each of his first two seasons ... powerful run blocker ... adapted to college game quickly, earning starting spot five games into career ... one of two returning starters on front line ...named to preseason watch list for 2012 Rimington Trophy, annually awarded to the nation's top center.
2012: Started all nine games he played in ... second year as a starter ... team led the nation in rushing with a school record 369.8 yards per game ... missed the season opener at San Diego State while recovering from a hand injury suffered during preseason practice ... returned to the starting lineup versus Northern Illinois ... helped Army rack up 486 rushing yards against the Huskies ... part of the offensive line that paved the way for 429 yards rushing at Wake Forest ... missed the Stony Brook and Boston College games due to injury ... started the final seven games of the season.
2011: Played in 10 games, starting the last eight outings ... key part of front line that blocked for nation's top rushing offense (346.5 yds/game) ... team gained Academy record 4,158 yards.
High School: Three-time letterwinner in both football and wrestling at James River High School ... played offensive and defensive tackle ... earned first-team all-district honors on offense after final season ... second-team all-district selection on offense and defense after junior campaign ... two-time member of all-district academic squad ... two-time team MVP ... two-time district champion at heavyweight on wrestling mat ... won Central Region crown as a senior ... state runner-up that season ... placed fifth at state championship as a junior ... led wrestling team to three district titles and regional championship during junior season.
Personal: Given name is Ryan D. Powis ... parents' names are Paul and Cynthia Powis ... father retired from U.S. Army special forces with rank of major ... mother retired from U.S. Army Nurse Corps with rank of captain ... uncle, David Plaza, is 1976 West Point graduate ... retired with rank of lieutenant colonel ... major is undeclared.
