So Many Plays.......

9-10-12



     Air Force had so many chances to win Saturday at Michigan. There's a coaching adage that's says you never know which one play will make a difference in a game, which is why every play is so important. There were several that stood out Saturday that, had they gone the other way, the Falcons are the talk of the nation today.  #1-Parker Herrington missing a chip shot field goal on the first drive of the game. The Air Force had opened the game with a solid drive to the Wolverines 19. But the normally reliable Herrington missed the field goal. In these types of games you can't play from behind. The Falcons did the whole game.
#2-On a 4th and goal on the Michigan 4 on the second drive of the game the Falcons elect to take a field goal rather than go for it. Troy Calhoun is always a risk taker, but maybe felt it was too early to go for it. Herrington dropped one in from 22 yards. #3 On a 4th and goal from the Michigan 3 in the 3rd quarter Air Force lined up for a field goal, but faked it, with Quarterback Tucker Tipton trying to run it in. He was stopped at the 1. David Baska is the normal holder and a great athlete. In hindsight I thought, if you are going to fake it, get your normal holder out there. Or, let your offensive go for it on 4th down. The Falcons did that a series earlier from the Wolverines 1 and Cody Getz scored. There was too much thinking on the fake field goal. #4-On the above mentioned drive Ty Macarthur was wide open down the middle and Connor Dietz got him the ball. But Macarthur took his eye off it for a second. He made the catch but in juggling it fell down. If he stays up and catches it clean its a touchdown. Instead, with the fake field goal you get no points on the drive.

    So, you lose 3 points on the opening drive, perhaps 4 if you go for it rather than settle for a field goal on the second drive, and you get nothing off the Macarthur bobble and catch and fake field goal. Losses like this hurt because the Falcons realize all of the above. It was another gutsy effort, full of heart and determination. But every plays counts. Its a tough lesson learned in Ann Arbor.