Army Hopes to Rush Past Alabama

When Alabama meets Army today in the Sun Bowl, the Cadets hope the rush is on.

Alabama (8-3) is favored over Army (9-2) by 14 points in the first meeting between the teams. Kickoff for the nationally televised game is scheduled for 9:13 a.m. PST.

Army has thrown only 61 passes this season, the fewest of any Divsion I school. And Coach Jim Young isn’t planning on changing, even though Alabama’s rushing defense is ranked fifth in the nation.

Directing Army’s wishbone offense will be Bryan McWilliams, who began the season as a third-stringer and finished as the team’s starting quarterback and second-leading rusher.

McWilliams has 1,070 all-purpose yards, rushing 140 times for 815 yards and 8 touchdowns. Mike Mayweather has 1,051 yards in 191 carries and 9 touchdowns.

The Crimson Tide defense has held opponents to fewer than 96 yards rushing this season.