Reeling Army mourns defensive back killed in crash
Army head coach Jeff Monken and his Black Knights knew the best way to honor Brandon Jackson was to return to the football field and practice with a purpose.
So that’s what the team did Monday, a day after Jackson, a 20-year-old sophomore defensive back from Queens, N.Y., was killed in a single-car crash.
“Right from the get-go and just being out there was therapeutic for our team,” Monken said Tuesday. “I think they were just glad to be out there together, and to be able to feel like they were doing something together to honor Brandon.”
The fatal accident occurred at around 1:50 a.m. Sunday about 20 miles south of the West Point campus in Westchester County (N.Y.), according to police and the U.S. Military Academy. The crash, which remains under investigation, happened several hours after Army had defeated Rice in the Black Knights’ home opener at Michie Stadium.
“He deeply cared for people and was beloved by teammates,” Monken said. “It’s just so sad for his family. Our guys are reeling right now.”
Monken said he had not received word of funeral plans for Jackson.
Jackson was an impact player for the Black Knights. He had played in every game since arriving on campus in 2015 and finished with 68 career tackles and three interceptions, two of them against Wake Forest last fall.
“He was a great cadet. He was a good student, a good football player and he represented this program in a way that I want all our guys to represent this program,” Monken said. “He’s a guy that we can be proud of.”
Once Monken was informed of Jackson’s death, he said the academy made sure Jackson’s mother was notified immediately to avoid the chance that social media might become an unwanted factor. The players were then told.
“Word travels fast,” Monken said. “It was amazing how quickly — before our guys even left the room — it was public knowledge. I was glad we were able to be here together and be able to comfort each other.”
Army is off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 1996, when the Black Knights won their first nine games.
“We’re already together. I don’t think it’s going to pull us apart,” Monken said. “We’ll forge on. We’re a tight group. We don’t need a cause now to play hard.”
Losses and gain at Utah: Joe Williams, a senior running back who gained 477 yards last season, says he will retire from football but complete his studies for a sociology degree, according to a Salt Lake Tribune report. Williams, a Utes starter at the beginning of the season, cited injuries and flagging desire for the sport as reasons for his decision.
Utah (2-0) plays at San Jose State (1-1) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham also announced that a foot injury suffered Saturday against BYU has ended the season of senior defensive end Kylie Fitts, and that senior receiver Cory Butler-Byrd will return from suspension.
Butler-Byrd was charged with damaging a police vehicle and building last month. Potential charges for WSU safety: The Pullman Police Department is recommending that Washington State safety Shalom Luani be charged with second-degree assault for a fight outside a pizza restaurant in August.
The Whitman County prosecuting attorney’s office will make the decision on whether Luani is ultimately charged with the felony.
Cougars spokesman Bill Stevens said Luani, who had two interceptions against Boise State on Saturday, will play this weekend against Idaho. Briefly: A magistrate issued an arrest warrant for North Carolina linebacker Allen Artis, who is accused of sexual battery and assault on a female student in February. The warrant charges the 21-year-old junior from Marietta, Ga., with two misdemeanors and says he had sex with the woman against her will when he “should have reasonably known that the other person was mentally incapacitated and physically helpless.” ... Florida State defensive back Derwin James will miss at least five weeks after having surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. The No. 2 Seminoles (2-0) play at No. 10 Louisville (2-0) on Saturday.