Noah Short excels in first game as slotback

Noah Short gathered the pitch, received a sealing block from Kanye Udoh on a linebacker and glided into the end zone.

Short pumped up his hands in celebration, firing up the Michie Stadium crowd. Not only did Short score the first rushing touchdown of his career. But, the junior also found the end zone on 4th-and-goal from the 3.

Short’s debut at slotback was a success in Army’s 42-7 win over Lehigh. Short topped the Black Knights in rushing with 83 yards on just eight carries. A chunk of Short’s yardage came on a 47-yard pitch from quarterback Bryson Daily on his touchdown drive.

“He’s an explosive guy,” Daily said. “You saw that today with that long run. He can be a true receiver, very good, running routes, when the ball is in the air, and this was his first time at slot. It was like he’s been doing it for years.”

Short is one of Army’s fastest players and more versatile. Short’s Army career started as a linebacker his freshman season. He was switched to slot receiver when Army moved to a shotgun offense. Short shifted to slotback with the return of more under-center plays for Black Knights.

“Credit to coach (Cody) Worley for putting me in that position in the offseason and Bryson (Daily) and Dewayne (Coleman) working on our pitch phase and just getting the correct depth,” Short said after his 47-yard run.

Short now has scored a touchdown rushing and receiving (two last season) and blocked a punt that was recovered for TD against Navy his freshman year. Few Army players have all three on their career resume.

“It feels great,” Short said. “With freshman year and how everything went, special teams, it’s like, part of me is itching to get out there, but at the same time, got to make sure I have energy for offense and stuff now. It just feels great to be able to contribute to the team.”