9 turnovers in the last two weeks. No big plays. The Air Force offense is in a big time rut, and time is running out to steer out of it. Saturdays 28-9 loss to San Diego State was another reminder the Falcon offense is suffering. Here are some chilling stats from Saturday:
4 Turnovers
1 missed extra point
1 missed field goal
2 missed 4th down conversions (which are just about the same as a turnover)
Air Force looked good early, scoring on its first drive. But then the mistakes began, and continued, and San Diego State was very gracious in accepting them.
The Falcon defense wasn't bad, and got two turnovers of their own. But this team is hurting right now in a number of different areas. As I said Saturday the Falcons have seen the enemy, and its them.
There are two games left. The first, this Friday night in the last home game (senior Night) vs Hawaii. The Warriors have had a long year under first year head coach Norm Chow. This may be the best chance for a Falcon win and a 6th victory which means bowl eligibility. The last game of the season is at Fresno State and won't be easy. So the Falcons have to win Friday if they hope to go to a 6th consecutive bowl. But before anything else happens, they have to look hard at the offense and all the self destructive errors its made. If the Falcons aren't careful, they could be home this December.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Critical Game
When was the last time Air Force played a meaningful conference football game in November? According to Head Coach Troy Calhoun it has not happened-until now. Saturday the Falcons are at San Diego State. Both teams have 1 conference loss, and the loser is out of the Mountain West title race. Perhaps its a bit surprising the Falcons find themselves here in November a half game out of first place because of their up and down season. But a win, and an ultimate Conference Championship would ease the pain of losing to both Army and Navy for the first time since 2005.
The standings show San Diego State and Fresno State at 5-1, while Air Force and Boise State are 4-1. For the Falcons its very simple-win out against the Aztecs, Hawaii and Fresno State and at the worst they are Co-Champions with Boise St or win the title outright. The Broncos still have Hawaii, Colorado State and Nevada on their schedule. Air Force and Boise State don't play this year, and the Mountain West does not break first place ties.
But for the Falcons San Diego State is a very large hurdle. The Aztecs won last week in Boise and have been rolling. Their defense is giving up less than 130 yards a game on the ground, and has been excellent since the first of October. Their offense has been mostly powered by running backs Walter Kazee and Adam Muema, and an opportunistic passing game with backup Adam Dingwall. Their starter Rayna Katz was lost for the season with an ankle injury against Nevada. I don't think San Diego State knows how good they can be. They have really come on and played lights out, especially with on-the-road wins at Nevada and last week in Boise. Their head coach Rocky Long has faced the Falcons for a number of years and at times has slowed the Air Force offense. I believe for an Air Force win, this game has to be all about the Falcons. Look, last Saturdays loss against Army was the worst I have seen the Falcons play in a long long time. They were dominated in every area. So in Saturdays game in San Diego Air Force has to play up to its capabilities. This offense is electric and must play that way. Cody Getz has to again look like the best running back in America. The offensive line must play like they did against Nevada. The defensive can't be pushed around like they were at Army. The linebackers have to fill gaps and make plays behind the line of scrimmage. The secondary has to cover guys tight, and perhaps play a lot of man to man, so the front 7 can slow down the Aztecs rushing attack. and Parker Herrington has to be the Parker Herrington of 2011. Its all about the Falcons Saturday. Win this weekend and you'll forget your bowl eligible, because the Falcons
will play for a conference title Thanksgiving weekend. Air Force has to get back to being Air Force.
The standings show San Diego State and Fresno State at 5-1, while Air Force and Boise State are 4-1. For the Falcons its very simple-win out against the Aztecs, Hawaii and Fresno State and at the worst they are Co-Champions with Boise St or win the title outright. The Broncos still have Hawaii, Colorado State and Nevada on their schedule. Air Force and Boise State don't play this year, and the Mountain West does not break first place ties.
But for the Falcons San Diego State is a very large hurdle. The Aztecs won last week in Boise and have been rolling. Their defense is giving up less than 130 yards a game on the ground, and has been excellent since the first of October. Their offense has been mostly powered by running backs Walter Kazee and Adam Muema, and an opportunistic passing game with backup Adam Dingwall. Their starter Rayna Katz was lost for the season with an ankle injury against Nevada. I don't think San Diego State knows how good they can be. They have really come on and played lights out, especially with on-the-road wins at Nevada and last week in Boise. Their head coach Rocky Long has faced the Falcons for a number of years and at times has slowed the Air Force offense. I believe for an Air Force win, this game has to be all about the Falcons. Look, last Saturdays loss against Army was the worst I have seen the Falcons play in a long long time. They were dominated in every area. So in Saturdays game in San Diego Air Force has to play up to its capabilities. This offense is electric and must play that way. Cody Getz has to again look like the best running back in America. The offensive line must play like they did against Nevada. The defensive can't be pushed around like they were at Army. The linebackers have to fill gaps and make plays behind the line of scrimmage. The secondary has to cover guys tight, and perhaps play a lot of man to man, so the front 7 can slow down the Aztecs rushing attack. and Parker Herrington has to be the Parker Herrington of 2011. Its all about the Falcons Saturday. Win this weekend and you'll forget your bowl eligible, because the Falcons
will play for a conference title Thanksgiving weekend. Air Force has to get back to being Air Force.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Domination
Domination.......That's the only way to describe what Army did to Air Force Saturday in West Point. Their 41-21 win was not that close. The Black Knights played their best game of the year, mauling the Falcons in every department, including coaching. That will happen once in a while, but what was so perplexing is why this game? Air Force had so much to play for, with bowl eligibility sealed with a victory. Instead Army came out with urgency and took the Falcons to the woodshed. Its a reminder that when service academies meet it doesn't matter what the records are. If Army plays that way against Navy in early December, the Black Knights will have the Commander in Chiefs trophy for the first time in forever.
It was a long plane ride home for the team. And the loss begs the question? Can Air Force recover from it? Its the first time since 2005 they lost to both Army and Navy in the same year. And there is so much to play for, because the Falcons are still in the thick of the Mountain West conference race, thanks to San Diego States win Boise St. Saturday night. The Falcons play at San Diego this weekend. More on that game later this week.
It was a long plane ride home for the team. And the loss begs the question? Can Air Force recover from it? Its the first time since 2005 they lost to both Army and Navy in the same year. And there is so much to play for, because the Falcons are still in the thick of the Mountain West conference race, thanks to San Diego States win Boise St. Saturday night. The Falcons play at San Diego this weekend. More on that game later this week.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Army
My favorite Air Force road trip comes every two years when the Falcons play Army at West Point. The campus is gorgeous, the stadium beautiful in a throwback kind of way, and the scenery is spectacular. Air Force likes it too because the Falcons have won 7 straight in Upstate New York. But those games have not been easy and Saturdays contest sets up as another struggle.
Last year Army came to the Springs and led 14-0 at halftime WITHOUT starting quarterback Trent Steelman. He's healthy this year and is excellent at both running, and operating the Black Knights option attack. Also in the backfield is Raymond Maples, a punishing back who runs hard between the tackles. And that's what Army does is rush the football. They lead the nation in that category. Their hope Saturday against the Falcons is to keep the ball away from Connor Dietz, Cody Getz and company. That's their best chance to win. Hold the football and go on long offensive drives thus shortening the game. The Falcon defensive has played better the last several weeks. They need to force Army into some 3rd and long situations. They won't stop the Black Knights, but if they slow them enough (like they did Nevada last week) that should be good enough. The Air Force offense steamrolled Nevada last Friday Night. They meet a very very young Army team who has stopped NO ONE this year. If the Falcons start slow, don't worry, they'll get moving by the 2nd quarter, So expect a game with a lot of points and some big plays.
Injury update: Troy Calhoun told KVOR Thursday morning he expects running back Cody Getz to play. He's been out with an ankle injury. And cornerback Stephon Batts should play as well. He went out of the Nevada game with an undisclosed injury.
Watch the game and turn down the TV volume to get your hometown coverage, beginning Saturday morning at 10 on Colorado's 740 KVOR.
Last year Army came to the Springs and led 14-0 at halftime WITHOUT starting quarterback Trent Steelman. He's healthy this year and is excellent at both running, and operating the Black Knights option attack. Also in the backfield is Raymond Maples, a punishing back who runs hard between the tackles. And that's what Army does is rush the football. They lead the nation in that category. Their hope Saturday against the Falcons is to keep the ball away from Connor Dietz, Cody Getz and company. That's their best chance to win. Hold the football and go on long offensive drives thus shortening the game. The Falcon defensive has played better the last several weeks. They need to force Army into some 3rd and long situations. They won't stop the Black Knights, but if they slow them enough (like they did Nevada last week) that should be good enough. The Air Force offense steamrolled Nevada last Friday Night. They meet a very very young Army team who has stopped NO ONE this year. If the Falcons start slow, don't worry, they'll get moving by the 2nd quarter, So expect a game with a lot of points and some big plays.
Injury update: Troy Calhoun told KVOR Thursday morning he expects running back Cody Getz to play. He's been out with an ankle injury. And cornerback Stephon Batts should play as well. He went out of the Nevada game with an undisclosed injury.
Watch the game and turn down the TV volume to get your hometown coverage, beginning Saturday morning at 10 on Colorado's 740 KVOR.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Domination
In a word, that's what Air Force did to Nevada in College Football the other night. Domination. The Falcons 48-31 win over the Wolfpack was a lesson of offense and defense complimenting each other on the Air Force side. The Falcons marched up and down all night long. They did not have to punt, and only stopped themselves with a couple of turnovers. All the credit has to go to the offensive line, which was playing without two starters. The Air Force run game (without the injured Cory Getz) galloped for 461 yards. Connor Dietz ran for a touchdown and threw for 2 more. It was a blowout. The Falcon defense did just enough to slow Nevada, who had the nations leading rusher Stefphon Jefferson. He was held to 93 yards rushing and a touchdown. It was probably the most complete game Air Force has played in the last several years. And now the Falcons are in position to become bowl eligible, if they beat Army Saturday at West Point. More on that game later this week.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Friday Night Chills
Despite the expected cold temperatures tonight at Falcon Stadium, fans turning out for the Air Force Nevada football game will be able to stay warm because the scoreboard will shine hot and bright because these teams will put up a ton of points. The Wolfpack is the most balanced team in the nation, rushing and throwing for an average of 260 yards each a game, which is incredible. Their quarterback Cody Farjado is completing 70% of his passes. And oh yes, they have the nations leading rusher in Stefphon Jefferson. The Falcons bring their option offense, which nobody has stopped this year, although an injury to Cody Getz makes him doubtful for tonight. The onus tonight for both squads will be on the defense. Nevada
has not seen an option, and the Falcons have struggled on that side of the ball for most of the season. and because of more injuries Air Force may have several guys playing different positions. Can The Falcons win this game: yes, but they have a small margin of error. First, no turnovers. The Wolfpack are good enough offensively without any help. Two: can't settle for field goals in close, they need touchdowns. Three: the Falcon defense has to keep everything in front of it. Don't let Jefferson break free like Kasey Carrier did last week for New Mexico, which means better tackling. And Air Force needs perhaps as many as 3 turnovers from their defense to have a shot at winning. And it could come down to a last minute drive to win the game.
It should be an excellent game on a cold night. Tickets are available at goairforcefalcons.com. Bring your radios and tune us in on Colorado's 740 KVOR.
has not seen an option, and the Falcons have struggled on that side of the ball for most of the season. and because of more injuries Air Force may have several guys playing different positions. Can The Falcons win this game: yes, but they have a small margin of error. First, no turnovers. The Wolfpack are good enough offensively without any help. Two: can't settle for field goals in close, they need touchdowns. Three: the Falcon defense has to keep everything in front of it. Don't let Jefferson break free like Kasey Carrier did last week for New Mexico, which means better tackling. And Air Force needs perhaps as many as 3 turnovers from their defense to have a shot at winning. And it could come down to a last minute drive to win the game.
It should be an excellent game on a cold night. Tickets are available at goairforcefalcons.com. Bring your radios and tune us in on Colorado's 740 KVOR.
Monday, October 22, 2012
338
Football consists of all kinds of numbers and statistics, but at the end of the day the only numbers that really matter are on the scoreboard. And Saturday it read Air Force 28 New Mexico 23. But one number does deserve attention: 338. Thats the number of yards ripped off by Lobo Running back Kasey Carrier. On the first play from scrimmage he went for 68 yards. And then he got warmed up. But somehow, the Falcons defense slowed New Mexico enough, and got two huge plays from Alex Means to win the game. Means, the Mountain West defensive player of the week, tipped a pass, grabbed it and went 65 yards with an interception for a touchdown. Then on a 4th and 4 late in the game, Means and Alex Hansen stopped a Lamar Thomas run to finish off the Lobos. Another gutsy win by the Falcons, and their first winning streak of the season. 5 games remain for Air Force to get two wins and become bowl eligible. But it won't be easy. The Falcons have a ton of injuries, and the guys playing are hurting. Means is less than 100% but is gutting out. The Falcons have two defensive lineman out and linebacker Josh Kusan may not be back this season. On offense Cody Getz re-injured his ankle on the first play of the game and Broam Hart\ has a cast on his wrist because of TWO different injuries. And the Falcons lost Center Austin Hayes to an injury. He was replacing Michael Husar Jr who is out for the year following knee surgery. Friday night the nations top running back comes to the Springs-Nevada's Stefphon Jefferson. He is a load, as is the Wolpack overall. They lost at home in overtime to San Diego State Saturday. . More on Nevada later this week.
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