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.

Michigan

Do the Falcons have the Wolverines right where they want them? Michigan is a 20 point favorite to win Saturday in their College Football match up in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines were humiliated last week by Alabama. For Air Force, I've always thought playing a FCS team opening day does not get you ready for
big name opponent the following week but it is what it is. Some thoughts:

Air Force is due for a big win-They were close against Oklahoma, Minnesota and, a few years ago, Tennessee. But the Falcons in recent times have not pulled off the shocker they were occasionally known for.

Some thoughts on Saturdays game

1) Air Force needs to keep a tremendous pace with their offense. Get back to the line of scrimmage and run another play. I thought they were excellent at that against Idaho State.

2) The Falcons need to strike early. Air Force can't play from behind, and it could take Michigan a quarter or a half to settle in against the option.

3) The Falcon defense has to slow Denard Robinson. Last week Alabama kept him the pocket and made him throw the ball. He's not that good of a passer. Let's see what the Falcons can do against him.

4) Add to that, Air Force may use their linebackers to "spy" Robinson and follow him all over the field.

5) Michigan will want to pound the football with its running game. If Air force can get key stops, they have a shot.

Watch the game Saturday, but turn down the volume and get your hometown coverage on Colorado's 740 KVOR. Pregame at 1130, kickoff at 130.

Now the Season Starts

9-3-12


Air Force was expected to win Saturday, and did, beating Idaho State by 28. But now a truer measure of this years team awaits in Ann Arbor Saturday as the Falcons play at Michigan. Can the Falcons win? Sure.
Do they have to play a near perfect game?  No question. More on that later this week. Some of the highlights from Saturday:

RB Cody Getz:  218 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns-He had great blocking all day long. The yards might be tougher this weekend.

QB Connor Dietz: Love his leadership. Was 8-11 passing for 142 yards. We may see more of him running this Saturday.

RB Jon Lee: 69 yards rushing on 7 carries. Averaged 7.7 yards every time he touched the ball. He is a star in the making.

WR Ty Macarthur: had 26 yards rushing and another 78 on receptions before gong out with whats believed to be a concussion. Can be a big weapon this year. Questionable for the Michigan game.

The defense: I thought they did a great job all day. I have heard some fan complain about giving up 3 touchdowns, but Idaho State adjusted in the second half and threw quicker passes so the Falcons rush could not get to QB Kevin Yost. And they were content to take 5-8 yard pass plays. Not easy to defend.

Steffon Batts the cornerback was our defensive player of the game with 11 tackles and an interception. Talked to him after the game. He is confident and fearless.

Thought Defensive Lineman Nick Dejulio had a sold game with 6 tackles and a pass breakup.

Good win, as was expected of the Falcons. Later this week, my thoughts on how you can shut down Dennard Robinson and the Michigan offense, and the blueprint Alabama gave Air Force to do it with.

Final thought; Tough loss of Center Michael Husar Jr to a severe knee injury. He is out for the year. He might be the best lineman the Falcons have had in the last several years.

Finally......The Air Force Football season has finally arrived. This has the makings of a fascinating season but not for the reasons you may think. After the Falcons, with a senior laden lineup, went 7-6 last year, some things needed to be changed. Air Force coughed the ball up 26 times, and their defense was 109th in the nation against the run. Defensive Coordinator Matt Wallerstedt left and was replaced by Charleton Warren who was a defensive assistant. Warren's approach is similar to former defensive coordinator and now Fresno State head Coach Tim Deruyter-Attack, Attack, Attack. There was too much rushing 3 and dropping 8 last year. The players were asked to read and react. This year the defensive playbook is thin, and there's no more sitting back. I expect a big improvement in all defensive statistics...On offense I like the look of Quarterback Connor Dietz. He is bigger, and appears to have really improved his passing. He has averaged 5.3 yards a rush in his career. The key to the season is who develops around him. One guy to watch for is Sophomore running back Jon Lee. He is a stud and had a good fall camp. Lee needs to get the ball. A lot. See you Saturday at Falcon Stadium. Bring your radios and listen to us on Colorado's 740 KVOR.

Why?

I walked into the station Friday Morning July 20th and couldn't not believe what I was seeing. A live shot on TV from the town I grew up in, detailing the movie theatre shooting by alleged murder suspect James Holmes. My heart dropped into my stomach and I felt sick. As the details slowly came out throughout the day I just sat and stared at my computer. Why did this happen? What was the idiot thinking? I thought about the families, trying to learn if their loved ones were alive or dead. I thought about my days growing up, going to the nearby Aurora Mall. I thought about seeing a move two weeks ago and not worrying at all about someone walking in and opening fire. I thought about my youngest son who went to a midnight screening of "Batman The Dark Knight Rises" here in town. Memories of Columbine came back. No one can answer Why, because rational minds can't comprehend irrational minds, and there is something inherently irrational, or unbalanced, or crazy, or whatever the word is, about the mind of a mass murderer or any criminal for that matter. My mind screams in anger towards the man accused of killing 12 and wounding 58. My heart cries for the dead and the wounded. And what I'm left with, is Why?

Silence is Broken

Because Doug Bruce is out of jail. He received early release for good behavior (oh joy). The ex con says he plans to sue the jail over deplorable conditions. Hey Doug-its jail you idiot. He ranted and raved about a variety of things including having his life threatened twice. And he plans to appeal his conviction, which I think is a good idea because it will keep him occupied.......The low unemployment report for May could not have come at a worse time for Barack Obama. It will be a key campaign battle issue for the President and Mitt Romney. Many polls are now showing the two are virtually tied in the race for the White House......Had a great time at the Van Halen-Kool and The Gang Concert. An unusual pairing yes, but great music all night long, although David Lee Roths better days are perhaps behind him. Its a heck of a year for concerts in Colorado. Red Rocks has more acts booked than ever before, which is certainly a good sign for the economy.

Long Time No See

Random Thoughts.....A politician recently asked the head of the Secret Service what he thought the agents caught in the Colombia Prostitution scandal were trying to accomplish. Really? Really? I think the answer is sex, but don't quote me since I wasn't there.....I don't like stupid and I don't do stupid.........I'm already tired of the Blaha-Lamborn race because every ad I hear from both is just bashing the other. Here's an idea, why not tell me why I should vote for you instead. In a Blaha spot Lamborn is ridiculed for staying at a nice hotel. C'mon, really? Really? I like politicians less and less after hearing ads like that.......Watched the Air Force Academy Graduation online at KVOR.com, and say what you want about President Obama. He shook hands with every graduate and had a personal thing to say to each and everyone one. Thought that was very classy....I've always believed where there's smoke, there's fire, which is why I tend to believe the men coming forward accusing John Travolta of sexual advances toward them. That rumor about Travolta has been going around in Hollywood for years....Saw something the other day on Facebook-complaints about bicyclists in the area. I've always said, "Move at my speed or get out of my way." As crazy as people drive here in the springs if I were riding a bike I would stay on the side of the road and not be in the middle of traffic. Just sayin'.