UTAH STATE

I'm trying to remember the last time Air Force played an important game that meant something in the standings. Its been a awhile, which tells you how far the Falcons have come this year. Saturdays game against Utah State carries a lot of meaning. The Aggies are the defending Mountain Division Champions, and despite a so-so 3-2 start they have a team built to repeat and again play in the conference championship game. These are heady days for Air Force, at 4-1, winners of 3 in a row, coming off wins against Boise State and Navy. I continue to marvel how well the defense is playing. They allowed only 135 yards of total offense against Navy in the second half last week. This week in Utah State, the Falcons face a team much more balanced than the Midshipmen. In some ways, they are better, even though they are missing starting QB Chuckie Keeton. He's out for the season again, with an injury. It happened last year as well. Then Freshman Darrell Garretson came in and led the Aggies to the Mountain Division crown. He's a sophomore now, and has been just as effective. This game could turn into a defensive struggle. We know how good the Falcons are defensively. Utah State is 8th in the nation in rush defense, and they have an excellent secondary. The Aggies have already scored 4 non offense touchdowns, on a punt return, two interceptions and a fumble recovery. Its been a season where the ball has bounced in the Falcons favor, and I think it happens against Saturday night. It will be close. I like Air Force 24-21. Our live coverage begins at 6 Saturday night, with the kickoff at 815 on 740 KVOR.

Making Up For Lost Time

How fun has it been the last two weeks to be an Air Force Football Fan? Not that it wasn't fun before. But lets be honest, when you win, the sun shines brighter, your food tastes better, the dog pissing on the rug doesn't seem as big of a deal. The buzz in your ears is the noise coming from Falcon Stadium the last couple of weeks after wins over Boise St and Navy. Its fun to win, and whats more impressive is how the Falcons are doing it. Do you realize they beat Navy by scoring 4 touchdowns, ALL THROUGH THE AIR? 4 touchdown passes. That's called doing what you have to do. It wasn't that long ago when the Falcons, be damned, would run the ball because by God that's what we are known for. It wasn't so long ago when Air Force played a bend-but-don't-break-defense because, well maybe they won't score. Good-bye to all that. Now its an Air Force Team that's known for DEFENSE because they play with a motor and an urgency that's breathtaking. They ATTACK and break the will of the opposing team. The offense still runs the ball, but, you want to crowd the line, fine. We'll throw it down the field, then send our placekicker in for the extra point. The Falcons have an attitude. It belies the personality of Troy Calhoun who publicly is the same, win or lose. And there's nothing wrong with that, but only when you're winning. 4 wins 5 games into the season? 2 wins shy of bowl eligibility in early October? YES SIR! With a cherry on top!!! Now, nothing is promised the rest of the way and there's plenty of tough games ahead, starting Saturday in Logan against Utah State. Buts its a lot more fun to play with attitude, verve and moxy, than to just sit back and go through the motions. And, the results have rightly followed. The Falcons are alive. Just listen to the buzz.

Navy

I have had a tough time this week getting a read on the Air Force Navy Football game Saturday at Falcon Stadium. On the surface its easy to say the Falcons have a lot of momentum after beating Boise State, and Navy is hurting after dropping to 2-3 with a loss against lightly regarded Western Kentucky. But rivalry games are so different. These programs do not like each other period. Most of the games have been close but its been Navy that's come out on top 9 of the last 11 times. Sometimes we in the media look beyond the game plans and schemes and try to factor in emotion, rivalry, and other aspects. The game is ultimately decided on the field. Now, there's no question, there's an extra jump in everybody's step leading up to the game, and its more than game #5 to Air Force and #6 for the Midshipmen. But after the first couple of series its really block and tackling. Here's where I think the Falcons have an edge, and again, (no surprise) its on defense. With the Falcons new look on that side of the ball I think Navy will have a tough time getting their option attack going. The Falcon linebackers are much closer to the line of scrimmage, and I think they can limit what Navy does when they run the football. The other aspect I find interesting is will Air Force use a four man defensive front and how will that affect Navy? The key for the Midshipmen is Quarterback Keenan Reynolds. He is a stud. Reynolds set an NCAA record last year with 31 rushing touchdowns. He's had big games against Air Force. Reynolds had an awful game last week against Western Kentucky, and he apologized to his team this week. The Falcons have to hit him on every play and can't let him be a factor. If he is, then Air Force is in trouble. Reynolds is that good. The Navy defense has given up a lot of yards and points this year, but they have also played two Big Ten teams. Air Force has more weapons this year offensively and may have to use all of them Saturday. Bring your radios and listen to the game live at 130pm, with the pregame at 1130am Saturday Morning on 740 KVOR.

Redemption

A game Air Force Football fans have been waiting for since Tim Deruyter left Colorado Springs was played Saturday September 27th 2014. Deruyter was the Falcons defensive coordinator 7 years ago and his gambling, aggressive style forced turnovers and sacks and resulted in wins and bowl games. Since his departure several years ago the Falcons defense has been searching for an identity. They found it Saturday night. Air Force showed flashes of a better defense against sub par opponents the first 3 games this season. But the true test would be against Boise State. The Broncos are balanced, deep, experienced, and used to getting everybody's best game. Last night the Falcons defense played with a snarl, a motor, a passion, an anger, that Springs football fans have not seen in years. 7 Turnovers were forced by Air Force. 7. They only had 9 all of last year. 5 interceptions, 3 by Weston Steelhammer. Another inspired game by Jordan Pierce. A fierce pass rush led by Alex Hansen, and Nick Fitzgerald. 4-4th down stops. A blocked field goal. And, imposing your will on the Bronco offense. And it all led to a 28-14 win over the Broncos. The mastermind behind all this? Steve Russ, who was officially named defensive coordinator after Charlton Warren left for Nebraska. But this story actually started last year. After losing to Navy in 2013 Troy Calhoun replaced Warren with Russ. At the time Russ could not make the wholesale changes I'm sure he felt was needed. After Warren's departure Russ laid out a simple defensive game plan. He reduced the defensive playbook-less thinking on the field, and more reacting, more playing. He realized the defense can't sit back. It must attack. He challenged the secondary and put more man to man coverage in. He moved the cornerbacks and the outside linebackers closer to the line of scrimmage. He identified Weston Steelhammer as a playmaker and has given him freedom to attack from anywhere. He's getting inspired play from Jordan Pierce who has overcome some challenging days just several months ago to become the face of this defense. And it all came together against Boise State. Falcon Stadium has not buzzed like that in a long time. 1 game does not a season make. But 1 game can reverse fortunes and become a benchmark. It was only 1 game. But what a game.

Game Day Boise St

Quite the opportunity awaits Air Force Saturday at Falcon Stadium as they face Boise State. A win, and a shot at a bowl game takes on new life. A close loss and maybe the fan base sees progress coming off of last year. A big loss-that could be devastating. The Falcons LOOK better on both sides of the ball. But looks don't necessarily mean wins. Its like getting a race car and taking it for a spin down the interstate. Nice, but the true test is how does it perform at Pikes Peak International Raceway when they use to race down there. Saturdays game against the Broncos is a measuring stick for Troy Calhoun's team. Boise State is loaded everywhere. They will score points. The key for the Falcons will be forcing 1-2 turnovers and getting just enough stops with their defense. The pressure, I think, is on Kale Pearson and the offense. Remember the play I said I couldn't talk about during the summer? It was a quick screen to wide receiver Jalen Robinette. Air Force threw it 3 STRAIGHT TIMES to open the game against Wyoming. They need to have that kind of mentality against the Broncos. Now, they can't throw it 30 times a game and win. But can you throw it 18-20, and keep the vaunted Broncos Rush defense guessing? I would. It should free up Running Back Jacobi Owens and Devin Rushing. And it could create plays off play action for Robinette and Garret Brown. Many will watch the Air Force defense. Is it better against the pass? Well, I know the Falcons won't play 10 yards off the line of scrimmage against Grant Hedrick like last year. That should help. Getting pressure on Hedrick will be tough. I think the Falcons may have to play with 4 down lineman most, if not all the game, and in obvious passing situations rush 6, yes 6 guys. If they sit back Boise State will feast on the Falcons. Bring your radio and listen to the game beginning at 3 with our pregame show on 740 KVOR.

Afraid

Air Force Football Coach Troy Calhoun was at his press conference this week, talking about Boise State, when a reporter asked him if his team was afraid of the Broncos. Troy talked about the cadets that go to school at the academy having courage because of the commitment they have made to this country and the Air Force following graduation. I wasn't there so I don't know who the reporter was, or if it was even a local person. But the question pisses me off to no end...Afraid? Give me a break. The Football players, (and the cadets in general) are fearless, and have put their country before themselves in committing to the Air Force. We are in a time of war, and yet young men and woman are signing up to come to the Academy, knowing what the greater mission is and that their lives are at stake. Its an ignorant question from a reporter whose idea of Service before Self is buying cookies from the Girls Scouts in front of a grocery store. Calhoun is not the kind of coach who would share that with his team, but I wish he would. Boise State is a good team, and a program that has earned all the accolades that have come their way. But this reporters question suggests the Broncos are superior to the Falcons. Shouldn't that be decided on the football field? I don't think that question represents how the Broncos feel about Air Force as a football team. But its a reminder to me that some see the Falcons as a football program struggling to regain some luster. They are partially right. Coming into this year, the Falcons are just 15-23 from 2011-through 2013. But there was no "fear" when Air Force beat a ranked TCU team at Falcon Stadium. There was no "fear" when Air Force defeated Ohio State in the Liberty Bowl. There was no "fear" when Fisher Deberry went for 2 late in the game, only to come up short in a 1 point loss at Tennessee. There's no "fear" in scheduling Michigan State in 2015 and Michigan in 2017. But it has been awhile since the Falcons had a big win against a name opponent. No better time to start than this Saturday against Boise State. Afterwards that reporter can ask Broncos Head Coach Bryan Harsin if his team was scared of the Falcons.

What We Know after 3 Games

A mid September bye gives Air Force a chance to take a step back and for Troy Calhoun to look at his football team and plot for the rest of the season. Several Things stand out after their 2-1 start: 1) LB Jordan Pierce is the real deal. He was in Calhoun's doghouse for unspecified reasons, but since starting for the injured Joey Nichol, has been magnificent. He had 10 tackles against Georgia State and has 19 in 3 games along with an interception, 1 sack and 4 tackles for loss. Watching him play, he reminds me of Chris Gizzi. He must stay in the lineup even after Nichol comes back from injury. 2) Air Force is pretty good against the run, but their pass defense needs some work. I do think its better than last year. But the Falcons still must cover better and get some more pressure on the opposing teams quarterback. The linebackers must cover better, and Air Force may have to consider rushing 5 on passing downs consistently, and when you have a running quarterback that 5th rusher should be a linebacker who is a "spy", going wherever the qb goes. 3) I thought against Georgia State the Falcons finally showed the perfect blend of run plays versus pass plays. The Falcons threw it 15 times. That's enough to keep opposing defenses on their toes, and when they are not, look what happened. 2 touchdown passes from Kale Pearson to Garret Brown. Brown is a real weapon, catching the ball and getting handoffs in the backfield. He must touch the ball at least 10 times a game. He had 6 catches for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns...Jalen Robinette-get him the ball as well. He had 4 catches for 118 yards, and he stretched to haul one in to set up an Air Force score. He is a weapon, but only if you use him. A quick bubble screen to him is a 5-7 yard pass play, and if he breaks it, we move the chains. ......RB Jacobi Owens. He already has 431 yards rushing in only 3 games. Work Him-give him 20 carries a game. He turns 2 yard gains into 4 yard efforts....6 yard gains into 8 yard plays..The defense has to focus on him, which means when you want to throw play action, the Falcons have the advantage. 4) I know fans were bummed the Georgia State score was as close as it was, but the Panthers have a good passing attack. Moving forward I would love to see Air Force continue to find their play makers on offense, and try to improve their pass defense. After this weeks bye, its a gauntlet of tough teams...Boise State, Navy, and Utah State. How the rest of the season fares may well be determined over the next 3 weeks. But play to your strengths, and these Falcons could be better than people think.