Air Force Hosts Wyoming in Conference Opener
9/15/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 15, 2003
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Air Force vs. Wyoming
Saturday, Sept. 20, 12:07 p.m. (Mountain)
Falcon Stadium (52,480), Colorado Springs, CO
THE RECORDS: Air Force is 3-0 overall. Wyoming is 1-2 overall.
TELEVISION: SportsWest. Dave McCann (play-by-play) and Blane Fowler (color) will call the action. This week's game will be Air Force's first on television this season. The game will be broadcast locally in Colorado Springs on KXTU-TV, which is channel seven on Adelphia Cable.
RADIO: Locally on KVOR AM 740 in Colorado Springs and Sportsradio 950, the Fan in Denver. Jim Arthur (play-by-play) and Irv Brown (analyst) call the action. They are joined by KVOR's Jay Ritchie and Greg Lazor (KKMG) for the pre and post-game shows.
LAST WEEK: Air Force defeated North Texas, 34-21, in Falcon Stadium. Kansas defeated Wyoming, 42-35, in Laramie, Wyo.
NEXT WEEK: Air Force continues Mountain West Conference play by traveling to BYU on Saturday, Sept. 27, for a 1 p.m. kickoff. The game will be televised by ESPN Regional to kickoff their MWC season package. Wyoming returns to non-conference play by traveling to Boise State for a 6 p.m. kickoff.
STREAKS: Air Force has won three consecutive games. Wyoming has lost two straight games.
LAST YEAR: Wyoming defeated Air Force, 34-26, in Laramie, Wyo.
THE COACHES: Air Force is coached by Fisher DeBerry (Wofford, 1960), who is in his 20th season. The winningest coach in school history, DeBerry has posted a 152-83-1 record. For more information on Fisher DeBerry, please turn to page 12. Wyoming is coached by Joe Glenn (South Dakota, 1971), who is in his first season. He has a 159-61-1 career record in 19 years. Glenn is 1-2 at Wyoming.
THE SERIES: This is the 42nd meeting between the two schools. Air Force leads the series 20-18-3. The Falcons are 13-8-1 at home, 6-10-2 in Laramie and 1-0 in neutral site games. The team's first played on Nov. 2, 1957 in Laramie. The game ended in a 7-7 tie. For more information on the series, please turn to page two of this release.
Game notes
DEDICATION GAME: This week's game is the Air Force player's dedication game. Each player has selected a special person to honor with his efforts and performance in this week's game. This year is the second year the team has done this. Last year, the dedication game was against New Mexico. Every player will send a letter to the person they have selected to honor and tell them how much they appreciate their support and encouragement and to let them know they will be in their thoughts throughout the game. Three Falcons have shared who they will be dedicating this week's game to. They are listed below:
Joe Schieffer -- Mrs. Vicky Brenner, high school English instructor: She was so instrumental in helping me mature as a person. Mrs. Brenner gave me direction and helped me to perform to my potential as a student and athlete. I would not be on the field without her influence in my life.
Jeff Overstreet -- Joann Harris, grandmother: She is one of the most important people in the world to me, because she has persevered through many adversities. Her years in West Virginia were not easy, because public places were still segregated, but yet she still raised her children right. She raised her children to be respectful and not to judge people.
Dan Shaffer -- Roger Shaffer, father: "When I was about four years old I started watching football with my dad. Pretty sooon I couldn't get enough. He taught me how to throw and he would always find time to play with me. When I was nine he helped convince my mother to let me play football and the rest is history. Along the way, he taught me what it takes to be successful: hard work, persistence and most importantly being a good person. He has always been there to encourage me and is my biggest fan.
AIR FORCE - WYOMING SERIES A CLASSIC: The Air Force/Wyoming series is one of the best and closest series the Falcons play. This week marks the 42nd overall meeting and 23rd as conference foes. Air Force holds a 20-18-3 overall lead and is 11-11 in conference games. Air Force is 13-8-1 at home, 6-10-2 in Laramie and 1-0 in neutral site games. The teams first played Nov. 2, 1957, to a 7-7 tie in Laramie. No team has had a sustained winning streak, as three games is the longest streak by each team. Wyoming has the most recent three-game streak, posting it from 1986-88.
LAST YEAR VS. WYOMING: Air Force was beaten, 34-26, by Wyoming in Laramie as the Cowboys snapped a 17-game conference losing streak. Wyoming quarterback Casey Bramlet was the difference in the game. He hit 32 of 42 passes for 387 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for a touchdown. He put the Cowboys in the lead for good, 7-3, in the first quarter when he hit Scottie Vines with a 40-yard touchdown pass. He later hit Malcom Floyd with a 58-yard scoring strike to lead the Cowboys to a 17-6 halftime lead. Anthony Butler got the Falcons within reach with a four-yard TD run in the third quarter, but Bramlet answered with a nine yard run to make it 24-14 heading into the fourth quarter. The Cowboys took their biggest lead when Derek Armah capped an 80-yard drive with a four-yard TD run to make it 31-14. AFA answered right back when Chance Harridge hit Anthony Park with an 80-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 31-21. Trailing 34-21 late in the fourth, AFA's last chance came when Paul Mayo blocked a punt that appeared to be recovered by AFA for a touchdown, but Wyoming came away with it for a safety. Joey Ashcroft added a field goal on the next drive to make up the final margin. Wyoming sealed the game by recovering an on-side kick attempt. Harridge finished the day with a game-high 91 yards rushing. He also hit nine of 19 passes for a career-high 169 yards and a TD. Leotis Palmer chipped in with 45 yards rushing. Anthony Schlegel and Joel Buelow each had eight tackles to lead the defense.
AIR FORCE POST-GAME NOTES: Air Force matched a season high with three sacks ... Chance Harridge and Anthony Park's 80-yard scoring toss is the fifth longest in school history and longest since 2000 ... J.P. Waller had a career-high four catches for 51 yards ... His four catches were the most by a Falcon last season ... Fullback Adam Cole and safety Sean Rodgers each started for the first time in their careers.
THE LAST TIME IN FALCON STADIUM: Air Force defeated Wyoming, 24-13, in a typical battle between the schools. The Falcons got on the board first when James Burns scored on a one-yard run to make it 7-0 in the first. Following a Casey Bramlet to Brock Ralph 57-yard touchdown pass to tie the score, Air Force took the lead back when Keith Boyea connected with Brian LaBasco on a 43-yard scoring strike to make it 14-7. Wyoming closed the half with a Jarvis Wallum 30-yard field goal to cut the lead to 14-10. The team's exchanged field goals in the third quarter before Tom Heier sealed the win for the Falcons with his first-career touchdown -- a two-yard run in the fourth quarter. Boyea was the difference for Air Force. The senior posted career highs in rushing and passing with 196 and 168 yards, respectively. His 364 total yards are the fourth most in school history and the most since 1988. Defensively, Joel Buelow had eight tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, two pass breakups and an interception. Wyoming was led by Bramlet, who hit 21 of 47 passes for 327 yards. The teams combined for 1,040 total yards with Air Force getting 524 and Wyoming 516.
WYOMING CONNECTIONS: Sophomore backup quarterback Adam Fitch is a native of Wyoming. Fitch is from Gillette and attended Campbell County High School. He was a three-year letterwinner in football and track and two-year letterman in basketball. He played in nine state championship games in high school, winning five.
CONFERENCE OPENERS: Air Force is 15-8 overall in conference openers since 1980. The Falcons are 9-4 at home and 6-4 on the road. Air Force has won seven of its last eight conference openers with the only loss coming in 1999 at home against Wyoming, 10-7. Air Force head coach Fisher DeBerry is 13-6 in conference openers. The coach is 8-4 at home and 5-2 on the road.
AIR FORCE LAST WEEK: The Falcons and quarterback Chance Harridge put the air in Air Force as the team defeated North Texas, 34-21. Harridge hit 10 of 15 passes for a season-high 156 yards and a career-high three touchdown passes to lead the offense. The defense was tremendous, holding North Texas to seven points until the Mean Green scored two late touchdowns to make up the final margin. Harridge opened the scoring for Air Force with a 20-yard scoring strike to J.P. Waller to make it 6-0. North Texas answered with a Kevin Moore three-yard TD run to take a 7-6 lead. Harridge struck again with an 18-yard TD pass to Darnell Stephens to make it 13-7. Matt Ward added a 15-yard run to make it 20-7. Harridge and the offense executed the hurry-hurry offense perfectly and extended the lead to 28-7 at halftime. Air Force took over possession at its own 47 and went 53 yards in five plays. The drive was capped by the second Harridge-to-Waller TD connection. The second half was all AFA until late. Joey Ashcroft took care of the scoring with a pair of field goals to put AFA in front 34-7 with 8:23 remaining. North Texas added two late touchdowns to make up the final margin. The offense finished the day with 427 total yards, including 271 rushing and 156 passing. The team also converted eight of 15 third downs and held the ball for 34:49. Ward led the team in rushing with 61 yards, while Stephens added 54 and Anthony Butler 32. Waller was the leading receiver with three catches for 49 yards. Air Force's defense was solid, holding North Texas to just 13 first downs and 25:11 in possession time. The Falcons recorded nine tackles behind the line of scrimmage, including five quarterback sacks. Dennis Poland led the team with 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception. Monty Coleman added seven total tackles. He also had four tackles for loss, including a pair of quarterback sacks. Ryan Carter added seven tackles and two sacks.
Game Notes
Team Notes: Air Force has scored first in all three games this season ... Air Force completed two or more passes to four different receivers for the first time since the UNLV game in 2001 ... AFA threw its first interception of the season in the second quarter ... AFA intercepted two passes and now have eight this season ... The Falcons intercepted 12 passes all of last season ... Air Force won its ninth consecutive game in August and September ... The Falcons are now 25-5 in the last 30 games in August and September ... The Falcons improved to 26-6 in their last 32 non-conference games dating back to 1997.
Individual Notes: Darnell Stephens and Cameron Hodge made the first starts of their career today ... Prior to the game, John Rudzinski had started 14 straight games ... He missed today's game with an ankle injury ... Chance Harridge had more passing yards in the first quarter (77) than in any other full game this season ... Harridge's 156 yards passing today mark the sixth time in his career he has passed for 100 or more yards ... His 156 yards today are the second most of his career ... His career high of 169 yards came last season against Wyoming ... Harridge's three TD passes are the most of his career and the most since Mike Thiessen threw four against BYU in 2000 ... His three TD tosses tie as the fourth most in school history (tied with 11 other players) ... Harridge's three TD passes in the first half tie as the most in the option era. Mike Thiessen threw for three TDs in the first half against BYU in 2000 ... Harridge's TD pass to J.P. Waller in the first quarter was his first TD toss of the season ... Harridge's 20 rushing yards moved him into 14th place on the career rushing list ... He moved past Shelby Ball who had 1,551 rushing yards from 1976-79 ... Harridge now has 1,567 career rushing yards ... Matt Ward's TD run in the second quarter was his first of the season and the third of his career ... J.P. Waller's two TD catches are a career high ... His TD reception in the first quarter was his first of the season and second of his career ... He now has three career TD receptions ... Steve Massie's rush in the third quarter was his first of the season ... He missed the first two games with a stress reaction in his left leg suffered during practice in August ... Darnell Stephens' TD reception in the second quarter is the first of his career ... Entering the game, he had caught just two passes in his career (one for seven yards as a sophomore and one for 37 yards last week at Northwestern) ... Jason Brown's catch in the third quarter is the first of his career.
Season Notes
AIR FORCE QUICK FACTS: Quick facts about Air Force this season follow: Air Force is the only undefeated team in the MWC (3-0) ... The Falcons are one of only three teams in the MWC (Colorado State, UNLV) to defeat a team from a BCS conference on the road (W 22-21 at Northwestern) ... Air Force has eight interceptions this season for 211 return yards ... Last year the team had 12 interceptions for 95 yards all season ... AFA ranks second in the conference in scoring defense, allowing just 14.0 points per game ... AFA is first in the conference and third nationally in net punting with a 45.1 average ... The Falcons lead the conference and rank sixth nationally in passing efficiency with a 170.4 rating ... AFA's offense has converted 16 of 19 third down conversions or three yards of less ... For the season, AFA has converted 53 percent overall which leads the conference ... Air Force is 31st this week in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll ... The Falcons received 53 points in the poll.
AIR FORCE AND THE BCS: Air Force's victory over Northwestern Sept. 6 marks the team's third consecutive regular season win and its third in the last four games overall against teams from BCS conferences. Air Force's only loss came at the hands of Virginia Tech, 20-13, in the 2002 San Francisco Bowl. The wins have come against Northwestern at home in 2002, at California in 2002 and at Northwestern this season. Last season's wins marked the first time since 1998 that Air Force has beaten two teams from BCS conferences in a single season. In 1998, the team beat Wake Forest from the ACC, 42-0, and Washington of the Pac-10, 45-25.
ROAD WARRIORS: Air Force has been tough on the road recently. Including this season's 1-0 road mark, the Falcons are 35-20 in the last 55 road games, including bowls, since 1994. Air Force has had just one losing road record in the last nine years.
FAST STARTS THE NORM: Air Force has a history of getting off to a fast start with Fisher DeBerry at the helm. In addition to a 17-3 mark in season openers, the Falcons are 59-24 (.710) in August and September under DeBerry. Air Force has won nine straight and 25 of its last 30 games during the last eight seasons in August and September. That's an 83.3 winning percentage. The Falcons were 4-0 last season during the early months.
RETURNING STARTER AT QUARTERBACK A GOOD SIGN: Senior quarterback Chance Harridge is one of 16 returning starters. That's a good sign for the Falcons. Since Fisher DeBerry took over as head coach in 1984, the Falcons are 65-24-1 when the starting quarterback returns. Air Force has averaged 8.8 wins per season and has a .718 winning percentage. The team has had just one losing season and three 10-plus win seasons. The last time AFA returned its starting QB was in 2000 when Mike Thiessen helped lead the Falcons to a 9-3 record.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S TROPHY: Air Force won its 16th Commander-in-Chief's Trophy last season, which is the No. 1 goal of the Air Force football program. The 2003 season marks the 33rd year of Commander-in-Chief's Trophy competition between Air Force, Army and Navy. Each year, the President of the United States hosts the winning team at the White House to present them the CIC Trophy. Air Force has dominated the competition with its 16 titles. Army has won it six times and Navy five. Air Force has a 43-19-0 all-time CIC record and has won 12 consecutive games in the series. This year's senior class at Air Force is 6-0 in CIC games and will attempt to become the fifth class overall and fourth consecutive (1992, 2000, 2001, 2002) in school history never to fall to Army or Navy. Fisher DeBerry has led the Falcons to 14 of the 16 titles and has a 32-6 CIC record. The Falcons have been in possession of the Trophy for all but one year (Army, 1996) since 1989.
FALCONS IN NON-CONFERENCE GAMES: Air Force is 26-6 in its last 32 non-conference games dating back to 1997. AFA is 16-3 at home and 10-3 on the road and in neutral site games. Three of the losses have come at the hands of nationally-ranked teams. Air Force fell to eighth-ranked Notre Dame, 34-31, in overtime in 2000 and in 2001 to third-ranked Oklahoma, 44-3, in Falcon Stadium. Last season, the team fell at home, 21-14, to seventh-ranked Notre Dame. AFA head coach Fisher DeBerry is 64-28 during his career in non-conference games.
SCORING FANCY: Air Force averaged 33.8 points per game last season to win the Mountain West Conference scoring title for the second time in three years. The Falcons also took the top spot in 2000 with a 34.9 mark. Last season's average ranked 15th nationally and sixth in school history. The team scored 52 (twice), 49 (twice), 48, 38, 34 and 30 points. AFA got off to a fast start this season with a 49-point effort vs. Wofford. The team followed up with 22 points at Northwestern and 34 vs. North Texas. AFA ranks second in the conference in scoring with a 35.0 average. Offensive coordinator Chuck Petersen has led the Falcons to 25 30-plus scoring efforts in 40 games as offensive coordinator.
AIR FORCE TIED WITH TEXAS FOR 14TH NATIONALLY IN WINS SINCE 1997: Air Force ranks second in the Mountain West Conference and is tied with Texas for 14th nationally since 1997 in total wins. The Falcons have a 54-23 record (.701). During the last six years, Air Force has posted seasons with nine (2000), 10 (1997) and 12 (1998) wins. Air Force posted the first back-to-back 10-win seasons in program history in 1997-98 with 10 and 12 wins, respectively.
DEFENSE PICKS UP WHERE IT LEFT OFF: The new Air Force defensive system (3-3-5) has paid off big for the Falcons. The 2003 season is the team's second in the system. The Falcons opened the year with a 49-0 domination of Wofford to pick up where they left off in 2002. Air Force allowed just 175 total yards against Wofford. The Terriers managed just nine first downs and drove into Falcon territory just three times, including once in the second half. Air Force's shutout is the team's third on opening day in the last eight years. The team continued its big-time play at Northwestern. AFA recorded four interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, and held Northwestern to just 46 yards on 22 plays in the fourth quarter. The Falcons held North Texas to just seven points until two late touchdowns made up the final margin. The biggest effort against North Texas was the defense picking up the offense after turnovers. The Mean Green had three possessions following AFA turnovers and were held to -5 yards on 10 plays. The defense forced three turnovers of its own. Through three games this season, AFA has allowed just 14.0 points per game which ranks second in the conference and 20th nationally. AFA is third in the league in pass defense, allowing just 178.7 yards per game. The team in fourth in rushing defense with a 117.0 average. AFA is third in total defense with a 295.7 average. The defense has already recorded eight interceptions for 211 return yards. Last year, AFA had just 12 interceptions for 95 yards overall. AFA's eight interceptions has the team on pace to break the all-time interception record at the Academy. The team is on pace for 32 interceptions this year which would break the record of 28 set in 1985. Last year's unit was much improved over 2001. The most important category was scoring defense. AFA allowed 32.2 points per game in 2001. Last year, opponents scored just 23.3 per contest which ranked third in the MWC and 41st nationally. Air Force gave up an average of 452.7 yards per game in 2001. Last season, that figure was 354.3 which ranked third in the conference and 47th nationally.
AIR FORCE SEEKS SECOND STRAIGHT NATIONAL RUSHING TITLE: Air Force finally won its first national rushing title in 2002. One of the most dominant rushing teams in college football since Fisher DeBerry took over in 1984, the Falcons have consistently been in the nation's top 10, but never won the title until last year. AFA has won 19 conference rushing titles and ranked among the nation's top 10 19 times and top five 15 times. The top spot nationally seems to be a comfortable position for Air Force. The team ranks second this week with a 307.0 per-game average. Dating back to their national title run of last year, Air Force has led the nation 13 of the last 18 weeks. The five weeks that AFA has not led, the team has ranked second four times and third once.
BLOCKED KICKS: Air Force is one of the premier kick-blocking teams in college football. The Falcons recorded their first block of the season last week vs. North Texas when Adrian Wright blocked a punt for his first-career block. Air Force has blocked 80 kicks since 1990 which ranks second nationally to Virginia Tech, who has blocked 85. During the 1990s, Virginia Tech led the nation with 62 while Air Force was second with 59. AFA has blocked at least three kicks in 13 consecutive years.
FULLBACK RUSHING GAME: Air Force is tough to beat when the fullback rushing game is working. The Falcons opened the 2003 season with the fullback game in high gear, despite missing one of its leaders. Last year's starter, Steve Massie, missed the opener with a stress reaction in his lower leg, but his teammates certainly made up for the loss. Dan Shaffer and Adam Cole, along with freshman Jacobe Kendrick combined for 170 yards and scored five touchdowns. Shaffer rushed for 64 yards and three TDs while Cole chipped in with 44 yards and a touchdown. Kendrick added 62 yards and a TD on 14 carries in his first-career game. Air Force is 35-8 since 1990 when the position rushes for 100 or more yards.
Individual Notes
ALLEN ALREADY FOURTH: Junior defensive back Nate Allen has been solid this season. He is currently tied for second in the MWC and 12th nationally with two interceptions. Allen has returned his two interceptions for 117 yards (79 vs. Northwestern and 38 vs. North Texas) which are the most by a Falcon in a season since Frank Staine-Pyne had 182 yards in 1997. Allen's interception return yards this season are the fourth most in school history. Allen was named Mountain West Conference defensive player of the week for his efforts in Air Force's 22-21 win over Northwestern. Allen gave the Falcons new life when he intercepted the first pass of his career and returned it 79 yards for a touchdown to pull AFA within eight points, 21-13, late in the third quarter. Allen also had a pass breakup and three unassisted tackles in the game. Allen's 79-yard return is the longest by a Falcon since teammate Larry Duncan set the school record with a 95-yard return against Army in 2001.
MARTIN LEADS THE MWC IN PUNTING: Senior Andrew Martin had a successful debut as the team's starting punter against Wofford. Martin punted twice for a 53.5 average with a long punt of 56 yards. He also had a punt downed inside the 20. Martin is averaging 46.1 yards per punt on the season which leads the conference. Martin doesn't have enough punts to qualify for the national statistics. Martin has been instrumental in helping the Falcons to lead the conference and rank third nationally in net punting with a 45.1 average. As good as Martin's punting is, its his persistence that may be his best asset. Martin was cut during his freshman year. He walked back onto the team as a sophomore for spring practice and was the team's junior varsity punter in 2002. During last spring's drills, the Lucas, Ohio, native impressed the coaches with his improved leg strength and earned the starting job this fall.
THERE IS NOTHING LIKE EXPERIENCE: Air Force head coach Fisher DeBerry often says there is no substitute for playing experience. The Falcons have a roster full of experienced players in 2003. The team has six players with 10 or more consecutive starts. Leading the way is senior offensive lineman Brett Huyser, who has starting 20 consecutive and 21 overall. Tight end Adam Strecker, quarterback Chance Harridge and offensive linemen Brett Waller and Jesse Underbakke have each started 16 straight. Safety Larry Duncan follows with 13 consecutive starts.
WRIGHT NAMED SPECIAL TEAMS LEADER: Senior Adrian Wright has been named special teams leader this season by the coaching staff. This season marks the first time the staff has given out the honor. Wright was chosen because he plays on every special teams unit and has shown great leadership. Wright is responsible for motivating the units during practices and games. In addition, Wright works with the team to select the music and video used to introduce the units.
MASSIE WINS MR. INTENSITY AWARD: Senior fullback Steve Massie was awarded the football team's Jack Braley Mr. Intensity Award, given annually to the player on the team that worked the hardest and had the most dedication in the weight room during the off season. Massie ranked first on the team in bench press with a maximum lift of 405 pounds. Massie squated 515 pounds and cleaned 319 until a wrist injury forced him to slow down.
THREE FALCONS SELECTED FOR POST-SEASON BOWL GAMES: Air Force senior quarterback Chance Harridge and senior tight Adam Strecker have been selected to play in the Las Vegas All-American Classic, formerly known as the Paradise Bowl. The game takes place at Sam Boyd Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2004, and will be televised by Fox Sports. The classic pits the West team made up of players from the Big 12, Mountain West, Pacific 10, Sun Belt and Western Athletic Conferences against the East with players from the Big 10, Big East, Conference USA, Mid-American and Southeastern conferences. Harridge and Strecker's selection makes three all-star game appearances for the Falcons, as teammate Brett Huyser was selected for the East-West Shrine Classic.
ALL IN THE FAMILY: Air Force has three brother combinations on the team this season. Junior fullback Dan Shaffer is joined by his younger brother, David, a sophomore nose guard. Senior fullback Steve Massie is joined by his younger brother, John, a freshman on the junior varsity. Junior place kicker Michael Greenaway has a younger brother, Brendan, who is a freshman on the JV.
HARRIDGE ON NATIONAL RADIO SHOW: Senior quarterback Chance Harridge has been selected to participate in a weekly national radio show on Fox Sports Radio this season. Harridge will tape his interview each Wednesday during the football season for the show which airs every Saturday on the Fox radio network. The show airs locally on KKZN 760 in Denver, KIIX 1410 in Fort Collins and KGHF 1350 in Colorado Springs.
