Bowl Time

Fisher Deberry often said there's no such thing as a bad bowl. He's right, especially if you are a football coach. The Falcons are headed to a bowl. Which one is still up in the air. The Independence Bowl would love to have Air Force back. The Military Bowl had an agreement with Navy, but the midshipmen are not eligible. The Falcons appear to be an attractive alternative. For head coaches a bowl gives you about 15 extra practices to work with guys coming back next year. You also get extra exposure when it comes to recruiting and this year that's more critical than ever since Army and Navy are not bowl eligible. And if you work the dollars right you can add to the bottom line based on the bowl payout. Are some bowls more glamorous than others? No question. But for a head coach, or a senior, getting one more game is critical. I remember my last football game in HIGH SCHOOL, and I would have given anything (event today) to suit up one more time.

You can make a good argument 35 bowls is too many, and the number taints the bowl system. But that's the way things are set up. And if you are one of the 50 teams not going to a bowl, guess what? There's no such thing as a bad bowl.

All In

Saturday-last football game of the regular season. Air Force needs to beat CSU to become bowl eligible. At 7-5 the Falcons probably would get a bowl invitation. Should Air Force lose they could petition the NCAA to go to a bowl with a 6-6 record. However last year Arizona State tried the same thing and was turned down. Its been a funny season. Players were openely talking of running the table to start the year. Now, here they sit, needing a victory Saturday over a Colorado State University squad that would like nothing better than to keep the Falcons home for the holidays. Its been the year of the Turnover on Offense, and of Injuries on defense. One you can't help. The other you should be able to control.

Running back Asher Clark needs 144 yards to pass former QB Dee Dowis and become the alltime rushing leader at the Air Force Academy. Ashers performance over the years has been steady as she goes. Very solid. Its interesting because he has only had 10 100 yard rushing games in his career. Yet he''s on the verge of catching Dowis, who was simply electric every time he touched the ball. Clark has been solid and dependable, with the occasional burst like we saw Saturday, going 67 yards for a score against UNLV. If Air Force wins saturday Clark can count the upcoming bowl rushing yards toward his total. Asher, keep in mind (should the Falcons win) would have played in 4 bowl games to 1 for Dowis, and because of the change to a 12 game schedule, Clark had several more games in the regular season that Dowis. However, you still tip your cap to Clark who has been a model of consistency for the Falcons.

Playoff

Its pretty simple. Air Force has to win its last 2 Mountain West Conference games to get to 7 wins and bowl eligibility. The Falcons did it to themselves, after losing Saturday 25-17 to Wyoming. Look at how many chances Air Force had to win this game:

1) Could not score on 4th and 1 at the goal line
2) Fumbled , not once but twice deep inside Wyoming territory
3) Shrunk the playbook when Connor Dietz came in for an injured Tim Jefferson
4) Did not get the ball to playmakers Jonathen Warzeka and Mikell Hunter

Turnovers have killed the Falcons this year. These next two games are no gimmies even though both UNLV and CSU are struggling. Air Force is too, and I can imagine both the Rebels and Rams could see their games with the Falcons as a chance to make their seasons a bit more meaningful.

Air Force has backed itself into a position. They better get the boat turned around fast, otherwise this season ends on a cold night Thanksgiving weekend in Fort Collins.

3 Left

   Now that the Falcons are back on track, the focus is win 2 of 3 to become bowl eligible. Might not be that easy. Wyoming comes to Colorado Springs Saturday, and the Cowboys are much improved. They too are fighting for bowl eligibility. Both Wyoming and the Falcons have to win 7 games this year for bowl eligibility because they each played and won two games against Bowl Championship Division teams. ( And I hate the fact Air Force evens plays one of those schools-Whats the benefit?) The Cowboys Quarterback Brett Smith is a freshman and has really played well. This is a team that went to San Diego and knocked off the Aztecs. And they gave TCU everything they could handle before falling in Laramie last weekend. They could give the Falcons trouble with their short passing game. Air Force has a number of injured players back on defense and you could see the difference in the 2nd half Saturday against Army. They did a much better job of getting into the gaps on the defensive line and Army had nowhere to run after that. The Falcons can win all 3 of their remaining games and go to a bowl. However, they could just as easily lose all 3.

New Mexico

On paper it looks like the Falcons have a good chance to snap their three game losing streak-On Paper. But believe me, if the Falcons eye the Lobos as a chance to get back on track, New Mexico looks at a wounded, injured Air Force team with the same eagerness, hoping to kick start their awful season. On offense the Falcons should move the ball, but turnovers again will play a key role. That's been one of the stories of this year. There's been too many and its killed Air Force and put their defense in position to defend too many short fields...The defense may see the return of Ben Kopacka up front and Chris Miller at one of the corner spots. The Falcons don't need anything fancy Saturday. Simple football-Block and Tackle, and hold onto the football. Simple recipe, in a season that's been anything but simple.

Close But No Cigar

Air Force gave Boise State a scare Saturday before losing 37-26....I thought during the week the Falcons would try and keep the ball away from the Broncos offense and that's what they did, almost to perfection. Yet for the life of me I cannot understand why, after winning the coin toss the Falcons gave the ball to the Broncos. That never will make sense to me. The weather was great, there was no wind to worry about. Why, if your game plan is to keep it away from Boise State, give it to Boise State for the first drive of the game, which resulted in a touchdown? The Falcons did not lose the game on that but there was a lot of head scratching over that decision.....Again, as it has in other games, it came down to getting the Broncos offense off the field and the Air Force defense was unable to do that....The Falcons did play better in a lot of areas, and did force two turnovers. However it all adds up to being in last place in the conference at 0-3, and having to win 4 of their last 5 to become bowl eligible. Troy Calhoun was as angry as I have ever seen him after a game, because their gameplan worked, but not enough to win the game.....Now the good news...the schedule does get easier from here on out, however-keep in mind, teams are also looking at Air Force and thinking to themselves THEIR schedule is easier with the Falcons on it because Air Force is 3-4. And the scariest game to play is one against a team that has yet to win. You never want to be the team that loses to a winless squad, and that's what New Mexico is this weekend....The Falcons are hoping to have a couple of injured players back for Saturdays game. However they have lost sophomore receiver Ty MacArthur to a broken collarbone for the rest of the regular season.

3-3

13-0 sounded great in August for the Air Force Football team. The reality of October is much different, 3-3, with injuries everywhere, and a team that's reeling. Thursday nights loss to San Diego State, 41-27, reminded us how good, and bad the Falcons can be. First, let me be clear, I laud the effort of the club and coaching staff. Troy Calhoun will fake a punt or field goal from anywhere on the field to give his team a chance to win. You can count on one hand the number of coaches around the country that have the guts Calhoun has to do that. Part of that decision making is the result of an offense that is part brilliant, and its own worst enemy with 13 turnovers in 6 games. The defense has its own challenges, giving up too many big plays and not getting enough stops, all with young guys everywhere in the lineup forced to play because of injuries. These are not excuses. But the bottom line is everybody has to play better. Air Force has to play through the issues and rise above. The season stands on edge. A winning season and a bowl is still attainable, but only if the Falcons make fewer mistakes and execute better. If not, the season will end quietly in late November in Fort Collins.

Wed 10-12-11

Get off the Field........that's what the Air Force Defense has to do. The Falcons have not been able as of late to get teams to punt. In the last 2 games (Navy and Notre Dame) those teams have punted just 3 times total. On 3rd downs those same teams are 22-36 converting to 1st downs. Not Good at all. I know Air Force is banged up, and turnovers by the offense have created short fields for the Falcons to defend, but they gotta get stops on 3rd down. Otherwise Thursday night could be another long night for the defense..

The offense has it problems as well, namely turnovers. The Falcons have turned it over 10 times in 5 games. And how many of those turnovers have come at the end of big plays by Air Force? Alot. The Falcons have a plus minus reading of -4, which is a number created when you take the number of turnovers your offense has and compare it to the number of turnovers your defense has created. In 2009 it was +22. Hold onto the football.

If Air Force can clean up those two things they have a good shot at beating San Diego State Thursday night. Our coverge begins at 4 and the kickoff is set for 6. Bring your radios out to the game

Thur 10-6 Keys to the Game

Here's what Air Force has to do to Beat Notre Dame-They must have some success rushing the football. I said SOME. The Falcons best chance will be with Tim Jefferson keeping the ball or pitching it. I think it may be tough to get any kind of yards inside. The reason I said some, is because Air Force is as good throwing the ball this year as I have seen them in quite some time. They must do that Saturday. They have to give Mikel Hunter, Zack Kauth, Jonathen Warzka and Ty Mccarthur a chance to make plays. And they have to throw on off downs, like 1-10 or 2nd and 1..


On Defense......Can they slow Cierre Wood. This cat is a stud. he ran for 191 yards versus Purdue, and as banged up as the Falcons are defensively they will need big games from a lot of people. Watch Cornerback Anthony Wright and see if he follows Wide Receiver Michael Floyd all over the field. Floyd is averaging 9 catches a game. Air Force has to force turnovers. And they must blitz Tommy Rees at quarterback. If he has a chance to sit and look The Falcons won't win

Talk to you Saturday from South Bend at 130 on Colorado's 740 KVOR.

10-3 Wow

   I guess there's several ways to look at the Falcons win over Navy Saturday-You could say Air Force had to hold on because Navy was on a roll in the 4th quarter, running 36 plays and holding the ball for better than 12 minutes. You could say the Falcons dominated the game for 3 quarters and the Midshipmen were lucky to still be in it. There are those who would contest (Navy Fans) the unsportsmanlike call on Kriss Proctor after his overtime touchdown. Other (including me) counter by saying Navy could have blocked the Falcons extra point following their touchdown, or the Mids could have stopped Air Force from scoring, or Navy could have made an easy field goal in the first half they missed and the game would not have gone into overtime. But whatever you say, it was a helluva game. Air Force showed heart and spirit after Navy had tied things up. They could have folded the tent, but did not. What a game. I loved how Air Force attacked on offense. The Falcons didn't get caught in running the football and the option all the time. They called some different plays, they threw the ball, which I thought was the difference in the game. The Air Force skill guys were better than the Navy skill guys and you have to get them the ball. Jefferson, McArthur, Hunter, Warzeka, Clark, Coleman and Kauth. They need to touch it a lot every game. And the more the Falcons throw, the better their running game will be. ...Game Balls to Alex Means, Brady Amack and Harry Keys on defense....Means blocks the extra point try of Navy in overtime. He also had 12 tackles and an interception and was named Mountain West Conference Special Teams Player of the Week. Amack was named Defensive Player of the Week with a career high 23 tackles. And Keys was sensation up front with a career high 12 tackles. On offense Tim Jefferson and Asher Clark each had 2 touchdowns and Jefferson threw for a score. Tim was the Offensive Player of the Week. In games like this your stars have to play like stars and they did.

Mon 9-26 Hurtin

That describes Air Force . They are a banged up bunch. Defensive Lineman Zach Payne may be lost for the season with a knee injury. Cornerback Chris Miller has a leg injury and could be out of action a month. Tight End Joshua Freeman hurt his shoulder on a touchdown catch against Tennessee State and is questionable for the Navy Game. Brian Lindsey has another injury and may miss the game this weekend. Ken Lamendola has a hamstring injury and is also questionable. I talked to Ken after the game and congratulated him for making it all the way back.  The last game he played in was October of 2009. Lamendola has been beset with various leg and knee injuries. The smile on his face was priceless. He made two tackles against Tennessee State.

Thoughts-In the Tennessee State win I liked the fact Air Force looked early and often for Mikell Hunter and Jonathen Warzeka. They have to touch the ball a lot.......Mike Dewitt has looked better than Wes Cobb at Fullback....Joshua Freeman has turned into a pretty good weapon at tight end...Anthony Lacoste has the potential to be a big time player at Air Force. He fumbled at the 1 because he had the football in his left, or inside arm and it was knocked out by State's John Jones. But later in the game he was in the open field and he made sure he switched the ball to his outside arm......Tim Jefferson under threw a few players, but still looked better passing the football....If I am Troy Calhoun, I give tailback Jonathen Lee a carry or two Saturday against Navy. He has some quicks, and will be the fastest guy on the field Saturday if they give me a shot. That 49 yard touchdown scamper was impressive....Jamil Coooks can be a star for the Falcons. Just needs playing time, and with Patrick Hennessey out,  he will get it....Alex means looks like he gets better every game.....Dontae Strickland was very very good on special teams for the Falcons, with 3 tackles.

Thur 9-22

Seems like two months since Air Force last played. I hate byes, and I hate byes early in the season. Troy Calhoun told me this week he is not a big fan of byes either but he thought this one will help.....Things I will be watching for Saturday-How crisp does the Air Force offense look? How will the defense play without Ryan Gardner and Patrick Hennessey? Will the Falcons be more emotionally invested? I thought they looked flat against TCU especially early....Don't expect to see anything fancy this week from the Falcons, especially with Navy coming up next week. They will run their basic stuff and normal formations and save the exotic
sets for the Midshipmen. I do not expect Tennessee State to give Air Force much of a game. While the Tigers have been good against the run, they will have trouble against the option. And Tennessee States secondary took a beating last week against Murray State. And while Air Force doesn't throw the ball like Murray State, I think that same secondary will have its challenges with all their run responsibilities.

Tues 9-13-11

Word out of the Academy is the Falcons lose two starters following the loss to TCU. Ryan Gardner is out with a knee injury, and LB Patrick Hennessey is lost with a broken bone in his thumb. Both could be gone 8-10 weeks. This is a huge blow to this football team. I thought the Falcons rush defense was really hurt last year when Garnder missed several games with injury. Cody Miller and Nick Dejulio will see more time on the defensive line. Hennessey has been a stalwart at LB but has had injury problems throughout his career. Sounds like Jamil Cooks will slide over to replace him, which gets both Cooks and Alex Means on the field at the same time......I am not a big fan of Air Force playing Football Championship Subdivision opponents. I understand why its done but I disagree with it. I don't think it does anything to help you get ready for a bigger faster stronger D-1 team the following week. And so here we go again., with Air Force slated to play Tennessee State September 24th, followed by Navy Oct 1st. If you beat Navy then the Tennessee State game means nothing. But if you lose to the Midshipmen and somehow Tennessee State pulls the upset, it would leave the Falcons answering a lot of questions......It is a long football season, and there's no reason to panic after 2 games and 1 loss. But the season could have started under better circumstances.

Wow

I didn't expect TCU to beat Air Force like they did Saturday 35-19.....Going in I thought this was the biggest game in the last 15 years at the Academy.  I think the players felt that way as well but looking back on it, you never really saw a lot of emotion from them.......I thought Troy Calhoun's call in the first quarter to go for it on 4th and 3 from the Horned Frogs 49 was a good one. You had a chance to set a tone, give your team a bit more confidence and strike early. Instead it was TCU who parlayed that into momentum and eventually a 7-0 lead.... If there was one thing that bothered me about the whole game it was the fact that Jonathen Warzeka and Mikell Hunter combined to touch the ball only 6 times. That's bad, and that's on the coaches. Both guys are talented, quick and shifty. You HAVE TO get them the ball in the open field somehow and someway. They come the closest to matching TCU's speed. 6 Times? They are two of your best skill players. GET THEM THE BALL.

Injuries.....The loss of Ryan Gardner really hurts. He is excellent against the run. The good news is I think you can get past Tennessee State without him, which gives you 3 weeks to get him ready for Navy....

Now The Big Boyi

9-5-11


Troy Calhoun will never say it, but Saturdays game against TCU is the biggest game of his head coaching career, and maybe the biggest game in the last 15 years for this program. Look, to be the man you have to beat the man, and the man is TCU. Air Force believes it can compete for the title. You can't do it unless you beat TCU. Its that simple. Calhoun, like all good coaches doesn't want one game to be seen as bigger than any other. However I think his players look at this game as a make-or break-the season contest. They have openly talked for the first time about winning the MWC Title and running the table. The fascinating part about all this is TCU. They lost to Baylor 50-48 in one of the best College games in the last 5 years. And now they get ready for Air Force, who head coach Gary Patterson respects so much he has his teams work against the option offense in early August, no matter when the teams play. The pressure is on TCU Saturday. They could start 0-2. They have a defense that has questions after getting ripped for 50 points by Baylor. Their offense is good, but young, especially at QB with Casey Pachall, and they are on the road again this week. Don't get me wrong. They are a strong team with a top 5 head coach. But they have questions for the first time in a long time. Air Force is in the best position it can be in to knock off the Horned Frogs. The Man is coming to Falcon Stadium Saturday. The Falcons hope they are the man Saturday afternoon at 445.

Game Day

9-2-11

   Things to look for Saturday as Air Force hosts South Dakota.......The Coyotes quarterback Dante Warren has a big time arm, and he has 2 experienced receivers to throw to, Will Powell and Dustin Nowotny. And with a big offensive line protecting Warren, the Falcons gotta figure out how to put pressure on him.........South Dakota's defense could be in for a long day defending Air Force. You will see some different things from the Falcons, but not a lot. I am sure they would love to keep next weeks opponent, TCU, guessing.....I am looking forward to watching fullback Wes Cobb. Troy Calhoun calls him a warrior, and I imagine he could get a lot of carries tomorrow....Also, who will kick for the Falcons, Eric Soderberg or Patrick Herrngton? Heck, you may see one handle kickoffs and the other field goals. Troy Calhoun says he is not opposed to that.

Falcon Football Saturday Coverage on KVOR begins at 10. We kick things off at noon. Bring your radios, or watch the TV and turn down the volume and listen to KVOR for your hometown coverage.

And on Monday a brand new Feature...Air Force Monday Morning Quarterback at 620 on Colorado's 740 KVOR.

GAME WEEK

The first depth chart is out for the Air Force Football Team. It does clear some things up when it comes to starters but keep in mind, Troy Calhoun likes to lay a lot of guys so while starting is important, the real deal is who is on the field late in the game with things on the line.

Cornerback-Josh Hall, who got good minutes last year, is the starter across from Anthony Wright. Hll beat out Chris Miller and Steffon Batts for the job. Miller will back up Hall,  and Batts is listed as the backup to Wright, although you have to believe the corners can play either side of the field.

Outside Linebacker- Alex Means is listed as the starter against South Dakota. But his backup Jamil Cooks will get a ton of playing time. Also,  interesting to see Ken Lamendola, who went out with a serious ankle injury early in August, is listed as #2 to Jordan Waiwaiole at inside linebacker. Lamendola, at even 75% is a very good player. Here's hoping he is injury free the rest of his senior year.

Friday Morning at 620 on KVOR join us for The Air Force Scouting Report as we look ahead to Saturdays opponent South Dakota. It sponsored by Accelerated Wealth and Midas.

Monday Mornings at 620 its Air Force Monday Morning Quarterback as we look back on Saturdays game, sponsored by Hanson Hot Springs Spas

And of course we have a new location and day for the Troy Calhoun Show. Our first show is Tuesday August 30th at the Back East Bar and Grill, just north of the Shops at Briargate. we're live form there beginning at 630 on Colorado's 740 KVOR.

8-23-11

   The College Football season is a bit more than a week away. In talking to Troy Calhoun last Saturday the Air Force Coach said things will change a bit this week in practice. The team will start working against South Dakota stuff, which means the scout team offense and defense will begin to run South Dakota plays to give the 1st stringers an idea whats going on. Plus, you will see a lot more of the 1st team getting reps this week. The coaches gave the younger guys a long look the first 3 weeks.

Position battles....still up for grabs is starting cornerback, and  replacing the graduated Reggie Rembert..... outside linebacker, and placekicker. 1 man's opinion-Steffon Batts could start against South Dakota at cornerback.....Eric Soderberg will be the starting placekicker, and Jamil Cooks will open the season at outside linebacker although I think Alex Means will play a lot.

We should have news later in the week on our first Coaches Show with Troy Calhoun. Keep it on Colorado's 740 KVOR for the latest.

Competition

8-18

Things are starting to heat up as Pre season camp continues for the Air Force Falcons. There are several tight position battles. At placekicker Senior Eric Soderberg is battling Junior Parker Herrington. Its been close the whole way. Soderberg had an off year a season ago. They both have strong legs and are even in the competition 2 weeks before the first game.......At cornerback somebody gets the unenviable task of replacing Reggie Rembert who is working as an assistant this year. Steffon Batts and Chris Miller have been going toe to toe. Batts may have a slight edge at the moment.....And Jamil Cooks has had a strong camp at outside linebacker and is receiving a lot of reps with the number 1 defense, over Alex Means. Both figure to get plenty of playing time.

Wed 8-10

Having watched several practices a few things have jumped out. Fullbacks Mike Dewitt and Wes Cobb make a nice 1-2 punch at that position. Dewitt is a bit bigger, but Cobb has the largest calves I have ever seen on a person. He could push a freight train with those legs...... The first week of practice has seen a lot of younger guys get reps, which is a good idea. Troy Calhoun knows what the vets can do, and the younger guys need the work and can get good instruction from it. That will begin to change at the end of this week. I think you'll see more reps from the 1st and 2nd string..... There are a number of freshman sticking their head in there and making things happen. And Troy is not afraid  to play them. I think the defensive line will be a little better than people expect because Ron Burton is, in my opinion, one of the top 10 position coaches in the NATION. He spent some time in the NFL and really communicates well with his guys. 2 guys to watch for on defense, Steffen Attrice, LB, and Steffon Batts in the secondary. Big guys that can play.

2011 Here We Go

Thursday August 4th-I have been watching Air Force Football Practices for a long time and have talked to a lot of players. The Falcons opened practice Monday August 1st. I could sense a feeling of confidence from the players I haven't seen in a long time. Don't get me wrong-the guys are confident every year. But this year they are not underdogs. They are picked to finish 3rd in the conference. In the 1st USA Today College Football Coaches poll the Falcons are ranked 35th. This team, to a man, feels they have, not only a great shot at the conference championship, but an opportunity to get the rest of the country to notice them. They are loaded on both sides of the ball, although they need to find a fullback and a corner to replace Reggie Rembert. But the air of confidence from this team Monday was all over the practice field.

Here's hoping Ken Lamendola recovers quickly from what appears to be a foot injury. He was hurt Wednesday, not more than 10 yards from where I was standing. It was a non contact injury. A hush came over the team when they realized who was down. He's been trying to come back from a severe knee injury. Lamendola missed all of last year. If there's a guy who can come back its Lamendola.

We've got all your Air Force Coverage in 2011 on Colorado's 740 KVOR.