Air Force football 2002 schedule announced
2/18/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Feb. 18, 2002
Seven home games, including visits from Notre Dame, Northwestern, Navy and Mountain West Conference foes Colorado State and Brigham Young highlight Air Force's 2002 football schedule, released today by the Mountain West Conference.
The Falcons will be on national television at least twice in 2002. The Notre Dame game, Saturday, Oct. 19, and the Colorado State game, Thursday, Oct. 31, will both be on ESPN/ESPN2.
For the second consecutive year, the Falcons play a 12-game schedule and will take on one of the giant names in college football. Last year, Oklahoma came to Falcon Stadium. This year, Notre Dame comes to the Academy, Oct. 19. The last two Notre Dame games have been thrilling with both going into overtime. The Fighting Irish are making their first trip to Falcon Stadium since 1995.
"We think we have the best home schedule ever," Air Force Director of Athletics Col. Randy Spetman said. "Not only do our fans get to see seven home games, they'll get to see seven quality home games. With all the pageantry of Air Force football, we really think we'll have an entertaining fall."
The Falcons open the season Aug. 31 against Big 10 foe Northwestern. The teams are playing for the first time since 1995 and are even at two apiece in the series. The remaining non-conference schedule includes a trip to Berkeley, Calif., to take on California Sept. 21. The Bears and Falcons are renewing a series that last saw the teams play in 1977.
Air Force's quest for a 16th Commander-in-Chief's Trophy begins with Navy in Falcon Stadium Oct. 5 and at Army Nov. 9. This season will mark the 31st of trophy competition between the three service academies. Air Force has posted a 41-19 all-time CIC record and brought home the trophy a record five consecutive seasons. The Falcons have won 10 consecutive games in the series and are 30 of 36 under head coach Fisher DeBerry. The Falcons have won the CIC Trophy 15 of the last 20 years and DeBerry has led the school to 13 of the titles.
Air Force and New Mexico square off in the first MWC game of the season, Sept. 7, at Falcon Stadium. The first full slate of MWC games is Oct. 12.
The 2002 Air Force football schedule follows:
Day Date Opponent Site Series Notes Sat. Aug 31 Northwestern Falcon Stadium Tied at 2-2 Sat. Sept. 7 New Mexico* Falcon Stadium AFA leads 11-8, UNM has won three straight Sat. Sept. 21 at California Berkeley, Calif. Cal leads 4-1, Teams have not met since 1977 Sat. Sept. 28 at Utah* Salt Lake City, Utah AFA leads 12-6, AFA has won two straight Sat. Oct. 5 Navy Falcon Stadium AFA leads 24-10, AFA has won five straight Sat. Oct. 12 BYU* Falcon Stadium BYU leads 18-4, AFA has won three of last five Sat. Oct. 19 Notre Dame% Falcon Stadium Notre Dame leads 20-5, Teams split last two games Sat. Oct. 26 at Wyoming* Laramie, Wyo. AFA leads 20-17-3, AFA has won four of last five Thur. Oct. 31 Colorado State*% Falcon Stadium AFA leads 23-16-1, Teams split last four Sat. Nov. 9 at Army West Point, N.Y. AFA leads 23-12-1, AFA has won 12 of last 13 Sat. Nov. 16 at UNLV* Las Vegas, Nev. AFA leads 4-3, UNLV has won two straight Sat. Nov. 23 San Diego State* Falcon Stadium AFA leads 15-5, AFA has won four straightAll kick-off times will be announced at a later date
* denotes MWC game
% denotes game will be televised nationally on ESPN/ESPN 2
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