2019 VMI Keydets football team
The 2019 VMI Keydets football team represented the Virginia Military Institute in the 2019 NCAA Division I FCS football season. It was VMI's 129th football season. The Keydets were led by fifth-year head coach Scott Wachenheim. They played their home games at 10,000–seat Alumni Memorial Field at Foster Stadium. They were a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon). They finished the season 5–7, 4–4 in SoCon play to finish in a three-way tie for fourth place. Their 5 wins were the most achieved in a single season since finishing 6–6 in 2003.
2019 VMI Keydets football | |
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Conference | Southern Conference |
2019 record | 5–7 (4–4 SoCon) |
Head coach |
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Offensive coordinator | Brian Sheppard (2nd season) |
Defensive coordinator | Tom Clark (5th season) |
Base defense | 3–4 |
Home stadium | Alumni Memorial Field (Capacity: 10,000) |
2019 Southern Conference football standings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 16 Wofford $^ | 7 | – | 1 | 8 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 21 Furman ^ | 6 | – | 2 | 8 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chattanooga | 5 | – | 3 | 6 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Citadel | 4 | – | 4 | 6 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Samford | 4 | – | 4 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
VMI | 4 | – | 4 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mercer | 3 | – | 5 | 4 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Western Carolina | 2 | – | 6 | 3 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
East Tennessee State | 1 | – | 7 | 3 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Previous season
The Keydets finished the 2018 season 1–10, 0–8 in SoCon play to finish in last place.
Preseason
Preseason media and coaches polls
The SoCon released their preseason media poll and coaches poll on July 22, 2019. The Keydets were picked to finish in 9th place in both polls.[1][2]
Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
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1 | Wofford | 253 (21) |
2 | Furman | 229 (6) |
3 | East Tennessee State | 187 (2) |
4 | Mercer | 146 |
5 | Chattanooga | 134 |
6 | Samford | 125 |
7 | The Citadel | 111 |
8 | Western Carolina | 88 |
9 | VMI | 32 |
Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
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1 | Wofford | 63 (7) |
2 | Furman | 55 (1) |
3 | East Tennessee State | 44 (1) |
4 | Chattanooga | 40 |
5 | Mercer | 34 |
6 | Samford | 33 |
7 | The Citadel | 22 |
8 | Western Carolina | 21 |
9 | VMI | 12 |
Preseason All-SoCon teams
The Keydets placed four players on the preseason all–SoCon teams.[2]
Offense 1st team Javeon Lara – WR 2nd team Reece Udinski – QB |
Defense 1st team A.J. Smith – DB |
Specialists 2nd team Rohan Martin – RS |
Schedule
Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
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August 31 | 6:30 p.m. | at Marshall* | Stadium | L 17–56 | 23,875 | |
September 7 | 1:30 p.m. | Mars Hill* | ESPN3 | W 63–21 | 3,484 | |
September 14 | 7:30 p.m. | at East Tennessee State | ESPN+ | W 31–24 OT | 9,150 | |
September 21 | 1:30 p.m. | Robert Morris* |
| ESPN+ | L 21–31 | 3,900 |
September 28 | 1:30 p.m. | Wofford |
| ESPN+ | L 36–51 | 3,300 |
October 5 | 2:00 p.m. | at The Citadel | ESPN+ | W 34–21 | 12,126 | |
October 12 | 1:30 p.m. | Samford |
| ESPN+ | W 48–41 OT | 5,300 |
October 19 | 3:00 p.m. | at Mercer | ESPN+ | L 27–34 | 5,714 | |
November 2 | 1:30 p.m. | Western Carolina |
| ESPN+ | L 35–43 | 4,568 |
November 9 | 1:00 p.m. | at No. 9 Furman | ESPN+ | L 21–60 | 7,229 | |
November 16 | 12:00 p.m. | at Army* | CBSSN | L 6–47 | 25,747 | |
November 23 | 1:00 p.m. | Chattanooga |
| ESPN3 | W 31–24 | 3,576 |
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- Source:[3]
Projected depth chart
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Game summaries
at Marshall
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Keydets | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 17 |
Thundering Herd | 14 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 56 |
at Joan C. Edwards Stadium, Huntington, WV
- Date: August 31, 2019
- Game time: 6:30 PM EDT
- Game weather: Temperature: 86 °F (30 °C) • Wind: NNE 6 mph • Weather: Partly Cloudy
- Game attendance: 23,875
- Referee: Kevin Randall
- TV announcers (Stadium): Chris Hassell (play-by-play) & A. J. Hawk (analyst)
- ESPN – Green helps lead Marshall to 56–17 victory over VMI[4] /// Box Score, VMI at Marshall[5] /// Pregame Notes[6] /// Postgame Notes[7]
Game information | ||
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Mars Hill
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Mountain Lions | 0 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
Keydets | 21 | 7 | 22 | 13 | 63 |
at Alumni Memorial Field, Lexington, VA
- Date: September 7, 2019
- Game time: 1:30 PM EDT
- Game attendance: 3,483
- Referee: Bruce Austin
- TV announcers (ESPN3): Pete Yannity (play-by-play) & Jared Singleton (analyst)
- ESPN – Udinski throws 4 TD passes, VMI routs Mars Hill, 63–21[8] /// Box Score, Mars Hill at VMI[9] /// Pregame Notes[10] /// Postgame Notes[11]
Game information | ||
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at East Tennessee State
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total | |
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Keydets | 0 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 31 |
Buccaneers | 0 | 7 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 24 |
at William B. Greene Jr. Stadium, Johnson City, TN
- Date: September 14, 2019
- Game time: 7:30 PM EDT
- Game weather: Temperature: 87 °F (31 °C) • Wind: SSW 4 mph • Weather: Cloudy, humid
- Game attendance: 9,150
- Referee: Larry Adcock
- TV announcers (ESPN+): David Jackson (play-by-play) & Mark Hutsell (analyst)
- ESPN – VMI at East Tennessee State[12] /// Box Score, VMI at East Tennessee State[13] /// Pregame Notes[14] /// Postgame Notes[15]
Game information | ||
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Robert Morris
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Colonials | 14 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 31 |
Keydets | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 21 |
at Alumni Memorial Field, Lexington, VA
- Date: September 21, 2019
- Game time: 1:30 PM EDT
- Game attendance: 3,900
- Referee: Scott Broadway
- TV announcers (ESPN+): Wade Branner (play-by-play) & Cal Murray (analyst)
- ESPN – Robert Morris earns its first win, holds off VMI 31–21[16] /// Box Score, Robert Morris at VMI[17] /// Pregame Notes[18] /// Postgame Notes[19]
Game information | ||
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Wofford
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Terriers | 21 | 14 | 6 | 10 | 51 |
Keydets | 10 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 36 |
at Alumni Memorial Field, Lexington, VA
- Date: September 28, 2019
- Game time: 1:30 PM EDT
- Game attendance: 3,300
- Referee: Thomas Graham
- TV announcers (ESPN+): Wade Branner (Play-by-play) & Chip Tarkenton (color)
- ESPN – Newman, Morgan carry Wofford past VMI in SoCon battle, 51–36[20] /// Box Score, Wofford at VMI[21] /// Pregame Notes[22] /// Postgame Notes[23]
Game information | ||
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at The Citadel
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Keydets | 7 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 34 |
Bulldogs | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
at Johnson Hagood Stadium, Charleston, SC
- Date: October 5, 2019
- Game time: 2:00 PM EDT
- Game weather: Temperature: Low 80's • Wind: Calm ENE • Weather: Overcast, Showers
- Game attendance: 12,126
- Referee: Jeff Page
- TV announcers (ESPN+): Pete Yannity (play-by-play) & Jared Singleton (analyst)
- ESPN – VMI snaps 12-game losing streak vs. The Citadel, wins 34–21[24] /// Box Score, VMI at The Citadel (75th Military Classic of the South)[25] /// Pregame Notes[26] /// Postgame Notes[27]
Game information | ||
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Samford
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total | |
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Bulldogs | 14 | 10 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 41 |
Keydets | 14 | 14 | 0 | 13 | 7 | 48 |
at Alumni Memorial Field, Lexington, VA
- Date: October 12, 2019
- Game time: 1:30 PM EDT
- Game attendance: 5,300
- Referee: Bruce Austin
- TV announcers (ESPN+): Pete Yannity (play-by-play) & Jared Singleton (analyst)
- ESPN – Record-setting Ramsey scores 6 TD's; VMI downs Samford in OT[28] /// Box Score, Samford at VMI[29] /// Pregame Notes[30] /// Postgame Notes[31]
Game information | ||
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at Mercer
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Keydets | 3 | 3 | 0 | 21 | 27 |
Bears | 3 | 10 | 14 | 7 | 34 |
at Five Star Stadium, Macon, GA
- Date: October 19, 2019
- Game time: 3:00 PM EDT
- Game weather: Temperature: 60 °F (16 °C) • Wind: N 11 mph • Weather: Rainy
- Game attendance: 5,714
- Referee: Bob Johnson
- TV announcers (ESPN+): Frank Malloy (play-by-play), Jason Patterson (analyst) & Kristin Banks (sideline)
- ESPN – Devezin runs for 193 yards, leads Mercer over VMI 34–27[32] /// Box Score, VMI at Mercer[33] /// Pregame Notes[34] /// Postgame Notes[35]
Game information | ||
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Western Carolina
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Catamounts | 14 | 6 | 7 | 16 | 43 |
Keydets | 13 | 6 | 3 | 13 | 35 |
at Alumni Memorial Field, Lexington, VA
- Date: November 2, 2019
- Game time: 1:30 PM EDT
- Game attendance: 4,568
- Referee: Scott Broadway
- TV announcers (ESPN+): Wade Branner (play-by-play) & Chip Tarkenton (analyst)
- ESPN – Adams, Spencer lead Western Carolina victory[36] /// Box Score, Western Carolina at VMI[37] /// Pregame Notes[38] /// Postgame Notes[39]
Game information | ||
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at Furman
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Keydets | 7 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
No. 9 Paladins | 15 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 60 |
at Paladin Stadium, Greenville, SC
- Date: November 9, 2019
- Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
- Game weather: Temperature: 48 °F (9 °C) • Wind: W 2 mph • Weather: Sunny
- Game attendance: 7,229
- Referee: Bruce Austin
- TV announcers (ESPN+): Bob Mihalic (play-by-play) & Sam Wyche (analyst)
- ESPN – Wynn scores 5 times to lead Furman past VMI 60–21[40] /// Box Score, VMI at No. 9 Furman[41] /// Pregame Notes[42] /// Postgame Notes[43]
Game information | ||
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at Army
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Keydets | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Black Knights | 7 | 7 | 19 | 14 | 47 |
at Michie Stadium, West Point, NY
- Date: November 16, 2019
- Game time: 12:00 PM EST
- Game attendance: 25,747
- Referee: Riley Johnson
- TV announcers (CBSSN): Ben Holden (play-by-play), Ross Tucker (analyst) & Tina Cervasio (sideline)
- ESPN – Army closes home slate with 47–6 win over VMI[44] /// Box Score, VMI at Army[45] /// Pregame Notes[46] /// Postgame Notes[47]
Game information | ||
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Chattanooga
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Mocs | 10 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
Keydets | 3 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 31 |
at Alumni Memorial Field, Lexington, VA
- Date: November 23, 2019
- Game time: 1:00 PM EST
- Game attendance: 3,576
- Referee: Larry Adcock
- TV announcers (ESPN3): Pete Yannity (play-by-play) & Jared Singleton (analyst)
- ESPN – Big plays help VMI top Chattanooga 31–24[48] /// Box Score, Chattanooga at VMI[49] /// Pregame Notes[50] /// Postgame Notes[51]
Game information | ||
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References
- "SoCon Media Tab Wofford Preseason Favorite". July 22, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
- "Football Coaches Select Preseason Teams, Poll". July 22, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
- "VMI Keydets Football 2019 Schedule". www.VMIKeydets.com. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
- "VMI at Marshall – Game Summary – August 31, 2019". ESPN. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- "Scoring Summary (Final) VMI at Marshall (Aug 31, 2019 at Huntington, W.Va.)" (PDF). VMI Athletic Department. August 31, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- "VMI at Marshall – Game Notes" (PDF). VMI Athletic Department. August 28, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- "Keydets Drop Season Opener to Marshall". VMI Athletic Department. August 31, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- "Mars Hill at VMI – Game Summary – September 7, 2019". ESPN. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- "Scoring Summary (Final) Mars Hill at VMI (Sep 7, 2019 at Lexington, Va.)" (PDF). VMI Athletic Department. September 7, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- "Mars Hill at VMI – Game Notes" (PDF). VMI Athletic Department. September 4, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- "Keydets Dominate Mars Hill in Home Opener". VMI Athletic Department. September 7, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- "VMI at East Tennessee State – Game Summary – September 14, 2019". ESPN. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- "Scoring Summary (Final) VMI at East Tennessee State (Sep 14, 2019 at Johnson City, Tenn.)" (PDF). VMI Athletic Department. September 15, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- "VMI at East Tennessee State – Game Notes" (PDF). VMI Athletic Department. September 11, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- "Keydets Earn Signature SoCon Victory at ETSU in OT". VMI Athletic Department. September 15, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- "Robert Morris at VMI – Game Summary – September 21, 2019". ESPN. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- "Scoring Summary (Final) Robert Morris at VMI (Sep 21, 2019 at Lexington, Va.)" (PDF). VMI Athletic Department. September 21, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- "Robert Morris at VMI – Game Notes" (PDF). VMI Athletic Department. September 19, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- "Keydets Topped by Robert Morris, 31–21". VMI Athletic Department. September 21, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- "Wofford at VMI – Game Summary – September 28, 2019". ESPN. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
- "Scoring Summary (Final) Wofford at VMI (Sep 28, 2019 at Lexington, Va.)" (PDF). VMI Athletic Department. September 28, 2019. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
- "Wofford at VMI – Game Notes" (PDF). VMI Athletic Department. September 25, 2019. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
- "Keydets Fall to Wofford in Lightning-Delayed Game". VMI Athletic Department. September 28, 2019. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
- "VMI at The Citadel – Game Summary – October 5, 2019". ESPN. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
- "Scoring Summary (Final) VMI at The Citadel (Oct 5, 2019 at Charleston, S.C.)" (PDF). VMI Athletic Department. October 5, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
- "VMI at The Citadel – Game Notes" (PDF). VMI Athletic Department. October 3, 2019. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
- "Keydets Top The Citadel to Reclaim Silver Shako". VMI Athletic Department. October 5, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
- "Samford at VMI – Game Summary – October 12, 2019". ESPN. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
- "Scoring Summary (Final) Samford at VMI (Oct 12, 2019 at Lexington, Va.)" (PDF). VMI Athletic Department. October 12, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
- "Samford at VMI – Game Notes" (PDF). VMI Athletic Department. October 9, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
- "Keydets Top Samford in OT, Earn Fourth Win of Year". VMI Athletic Department. October 12, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
- "VMI at Mercer – Game Summary – October 19, 2019". ESPN. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
- "Scoring Summary (Final) VMI at Mercer (Oct 19, 2019 at Macon, Ga.)" (PDF). VMI Athletic Department. October 19, 2019. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
- "VMI at Mercer – Game Notes" (PDF). VMI Athletic Department. October 17, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
- "Late VMI Rally Falls Short in Loss at Mercer". VMI Athletic Department. October 19, 2019. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
- "Western Carolina at VMI – Game Summary – November 2, 2019". ESPN. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
- "Scoring Summary (Final) Western Carolina at VMI (Nov 2, 2019 at Lexington, Va.)" (PDF). VMI Athletic Department. November 2, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
- "Western Carolina at VMI – Game Notes" (PDF). VMI Athletic Department. October 30, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
- "Keydets Fall on Homecoming to Western Carolina". VMI Athletic Department. November 2, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
- "VMI at No. 9 Furman – Game Summary – November 9, 2019". ESPN. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
- "Scoring Summary (Final) VMI at No. 9 Furman (Nov 9, 2019 at Greenville, S.C.)" (PDF). VMI Athletic Department. November 9, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
- "VMI at No. 9 Furman – Game Notes" (PDF). VMI Athletic Department. November 7, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
- "No. 9 Furman Escapes VMI with Strong Second Half". VMI Athletic Department. November 9, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
- "VMI at Army – Game Summary – November 16, 2019". ESPN. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
- "Scoring Summary (Final) VMI at Army (Nov 16, 2019 at West Point, N.Y.)" (PDF). VMI Athletic Department. November 16, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
- "VMI at Army – Game Notes" (PDF). VMI Athletic Department. November 15, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
- "Keydets Fall Short at Army West Point". VMI Athletic Department. November 16, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
- "Chattanooga at VMI – Game Summary – November 23, 2019". ESPN. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
- "Scoring Summary (Final) Chattanooga at VMI (Nov 23, 2019 at Lexington, Va.)" (PDF). VMI Athletic Department. November 23, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
- "Chattanooga at VMI – Game Notes" (PDF). VMI Athletic Department. November 21, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- "Keydets Claim 31–24 Season Finale over Chattanooga". VMI Athletic Department. November 23, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2019.