Air Force hosts New Mexico in home opener
9/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 25, 2006
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Air Force (1-1, 1-0 MWC) vs New Mexico (2-2)
Saturday, Sept. 30, Noon Mtn., Falcon Stadium (46,692), USAFA, CO
Television
The mtn. James Bates (play-by-play), Todd Christensen (color) and Tim Neverett (sidelines).
This will be Air Force's first appearance on the conference's new television network. The mtn. is available on Adelphia/Comcast digital basic cable on channel 167.
Radio
KVOR AM 740 in Colorado Springs and KLZ (560 AM) in Denver. KVOR's Jim Arthur (play-by-play) and News First 5/30's Lee Douglas (color) call the action. They are joined for the pre- and post-game shows by Jay Ritchie.
Last Week
Air Force defeated Wyoming, 31-24, in Laramie, Wyo.
New Mexico defeated UTEP, 26-13, in Albuquerque, N.M.
Next Week
Air Force hosts service academy rival Navy.
New Mexico hosts MWC rival Wyoming.
Last Meeting
Air Force defeated New Mexico, 42-24, in Albuquerque, N.M.
Streaks
Air Force has a one-game winning streak.
New Mexico has one-game winning streak.
Rankings
Neither team is ranked in the top 25.
Coaches
Air Force is coached by Fisher DeBerry (Wofford, 1960), who is in his 23rd season. DeBerry has guided the Falcons to a 166-102-1 career record.
New Mexico is coached by Rocky Long (New Mexico, 1974), who is in his ninth year. Long has led the Lobos to a 48-52 record.
Key fact
The week is the dedication game for the Falcons. Each player selects a person that has had a great influence in their life to dedicate the game to. Every player writes that person a letter to let them know how much they have been a factor in their life.
Did you know
Air Force is one of the last four teams in the nation to play a home game. The Falcons, along with Tulane and Louisiana Lafayette play their home openers this week. The only team to play its home opener later than this week is Florida Atlantic, who opens Oct. 12. This year's season opener is the second-latest in school history. The 1959 team opened at home Oct. 10 against Idaho.
The series
Air Force and New Mexico meet for the 24th time overall and 18th time as conference foes.
The Falcons lead the overall series 14-9 and have an 10-7 edge in conference meetings. Air Force is 7-3 at home and 7-6 at New Mexico. Air Force has won two straight and three of the last four meetings, including last year's 42-24 win in Albuquerque. Prior to Air Force's string, the Lobos had won three straight. The teams first played Nov. 23, 1957, in Colorado Springs. Air Force won the game, 31-0.
Last year
Air Force saved its best for last, defeating New Mexico, 42-24, in the season finale in Albuquerque, N.M., to finish the year at 4-7 overall and 3-5 in the Mountain West Conference.
The Falcons were in control throughout the game and took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter on a career-long 49-yard field goal from Scott Eberle. The Falcons extended the lead to 10-0 early in the second quarter behind a 46-yard touchdown pass from Shaun Carney to Greg Kirkwood. New Mexico got on the board in the second quarter when Marcus Smith scored on a 15-yard run to cut the lead to 10-7. The Lobos tied the game at 10 following a 40-yard field goal from Kenny Byrd with 2:31 left in the half. The Falcons answered back, taking the lead for good with a Jacobe Kendrick two-yard run with 18 seconds left in the half. Following a New Mexico penalty, the Falcons went for a two-point conversion which Kendrick added on for an 18-10 halftime lead.
Eberle opened the scoring in the second half with his second field goal to extend the lead to 21-10. Following a DonTrell Moore 11-yard TD run for New Mexico to cut the lead to 21-16, Kendrick scored his second touchdown of the game with a 10-yard run to extend the lead to 28-16 with 9:54 left to play. Carney sealed the game with a one-yard run with 3:52 remaining to cap a 10-play, 39-yard drive that took 5:19 off the clock and gave Air Force a 35-16 lead. Each team added a late touchdown to make up the final margin. Air Force's was scored by fullback Ryan Williams, who scored on a 10-yard run with 46 seconds left.
Air Force rolled up 464 total yards and showed great balance with 278 yards rushing and 186 passing. Carney led the way with 94 yards rushing while hitting 11 of 14 passes for 186 yards. Kendrick chipped in with 89 yards rushing while Williams had 41. Jason Brown finished with five catches for 94 yards. The defense was led by senior Denny Poland, who had a career-best 12 tackles. Drew Fowler added nine tackles and Bobby Giannini chipped in with eight.
New Mexico was led by Moore, who rushed for 143 yards on 28 carries. Bryan Clampitt hit 11 of 17 passes for 129 yards before leaving the game due to injury in the third quarter. Travis Brown chipped in with six catches for 62 yards. The defense was led by Mike Mohoric, who had 20 tackles.
For a statistical recap of last year's game, please turn to page four.
Post-Game Notes: Last year vs. UNM
Team
Air Force snapped a three-game losing streak at New Mexico. Air Force's last win at UNM came in 1995, 27-24.
Air Force fullbacks combined for 130 yards to mark the fourth time in 2005 they went over the 100-yard mark. AFA finished 3-1 in those games.
Individual
Senior PK Scott Eberle kicked a career-long 49-yard field goal to open the Air Force scoring.
FS Julian Madrid recorded the first sack of his career.
QB Shaun Carney recorded a career long run of 61 yards in the third quarter.
Last time in Falcon Stadium
Air Force defeated New Mexico, 28-23, in a game that featured a wild second half.
The Falcons used a very efficient offense and stingy defense to defeat the Lobos in Falcon Stadium for the second consecutive time. Halfback Darnell Stephens opened the scoring for Air Force on the opening drive of the game when he went 58 yards to give AFA a 7-0 lead. Quarterback Shaun Carney added a three-yard run in the first quarter and halfback Anthony Butler scooted in from 28 yards to give the Falcons a commanding 21-0 halftime lead. The defense was solid and freshman Bobby Giannini made the play of his career to this point in the second quarter. Giannini leaped to meet running back DonTrell Moore in midair at the goal line on fourth-and-one to save the first half shutout.
The second half was completely different, as New Mexico's defense flexed its muscle. Air Force went three-and-out five consecutive possessions in the third quarter and had some special teams breakdowns that allowed UNM back in the game. The Lobos scored 16 third-quarter points following two short punts and a blocked punt that was recovered in the end zone. The Falcons answered midway through the fourth quarter when Carney completed two long passes on a drive to set up an Adam Cole one-yard touchdown run. The score gave AFA a 28-16 lead and control of the game again. That is until the team punted next. The Lobos blocked their second punt of the game and returned it 46 yards for a TD to cut the lead to 28-23 with 4:26 left. Air Force was able to run out the clock on its next drive for the win. Stephens led the way with a career-best 94 yards rushing for Air Force. Butler added a season-high 79 yards. Carney hit four of nine passes for 95 yards and added 21 yards rushing. The defense was led by Denny Poland, who had a career-high 11 tackles. The defense also held New Mexico to just 259 total yards, including 140 rushing.
Comparing Air Force and New Mexico
Several statistical categories will clash this week when the Falcons and Lobos play. A closer look follows:
Air Force leads the MWC and is second nationally in rushing offense with a 304.0 average.
New Mexico is fourth in the MWC and 26th nationally in rushing defense allowing 86.0 per game.
Air Force is third in the MWC and 35th nationally in total offense with a 387.5 average.
New Mexico is eighth in the MWC and 87th nationally in total defense with a 350.5 average.
Air Force leads the MWC and is fifth nationally in passing efficiency with a 170.8 average.
New Mexico is seventh in the MWC and 76th nationally in pass efficiency defense with a 131.2 norm.
Air Force is second in the MWC in sacks allowed with two for nine yards.
New Mexico is second in the league in sacks with 11 for 66 yards.
Air Force and New Mexico are tied for first in the conference in red zone offense at 100 percent. Air Force is nine-of-nine while New Mexico is 11-of-11.
Air Force leads the MWC in time of possession with a 35:28 average. New Mexico is ninth in the conference in time of possession with a 28:48 mark.
New Mexico ties
Junior TE Travis Dekker is a native of Albuquerque, N.M. Dekker is a graduate of La Cueva High School where he lettered three years in football and two years in tack. He was a first-team all-state selection in football and was the state's student-athlete of the year. In addition to being the football team captain, he was an academic all-state selection. Prior to this season, Dekker had played in just one varsity game, the 2004 contest vs. New Mexico. He was called up from the junior varsity for the game due to injuries. Dekker missed the entire 2005 season due to injury.
Wyoming recap
Air Force defeated Wyoming, 31-24, in Laramie in a game that was not as close as the final score.
The Falcons forced Wyoming into a three-and-out on its first possession and the offense answered with an 11-play, 49-yard drive that halfback Chad Hall capped with a 27-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead. Wyoming tied the game with a Jacob Doss 10-yard pass to Tyler Holden early in the second quarter. The Falcons answered back with a vintage triple option drive, going 80 yards in 18 plays and taking 10:15 off the clock to take a 14-7 lead on a Shaun Carney one-yard run. Following a muffed sky kick, Carney struck quick with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Beau Suder to give the Falcons a 21-7 halftime lead.
Wyoming gained some much-needed momentum in the third quarter when John Wendling returned a fumble 54 yards for a touchdown to cut the lead to 21-14 midway through the third quarter. The Air Force offense again had an answer, going 80 yards in 11 plays for a 28-14 lead on a Carney four-yard run. Wyoming scored on another Doss touchdown pass, this one 31 yards to Michael Ford to cut it to 28-21 early in the fourth quarter. Zach Sasser answered with a 27-yard field as the Falcons took 8:27 off the clock with a 17-play, 70-yard drive for a 31-21 lead with 5:11 left. Wyoming added a late Aric Goodman field goal to make up the final margin.
The Falcons dominated the statistical battle, collecting 367 total yards, including 327 yards rushing, while holding Wyoming to 246 total yards. The Falcons ran 35 more plays than Wyoming and held a 40:25 to 19:35 edge in time of possession. Carney and Hall each had career rushing days to become the first Falcon tandem since 2002 to each rush for over 100 yards. Carney had 131 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries while Hall added 122 yards and a score on 20 carries. Carney also hit three of seven passes for 40 yards and a touchdown. The defense was led by Drew Fowler, who had nine tackles. Joey Keller added five tackles, including two for losses. Jake Paulson chipped in with three tackles, two for losses, and a fumble recovery.
Wyoming was led by Doss, who completed 13 of 21 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Devin Moore had 52 yards on six carries while Ward Dobbs and Wendling led the defense with 18 and 14 tackles, respectivley.
Post-Game Notes
Team
Air Force played just its second game of the season. The Falcons are the only Division I-A team in the nation to play just twice in the season's first four weeks.
Air Force scored a touchdown on its opening drive of the game for the second consecutive game this season. The Falcons scored on their opening drive of the game just twice all of last season.
Air Force's second-quarter scoring drive of 18 plays, 80 yards and 10:06 TOP marks season longs in every category.
Air Force rushed for 327 yards, its most since rushing for 373 against Colorado State in 2004.
Air Force improved to 7-1 all-time in Mountain West Conference openers. The team has won seven straight since losing at home to Wyoming in 1999. AF is 3-0 on the road in MWC openers. Air Force improves to 19-8 all-time in conference openers and has now won 11 of its last 12.
Air Force won the 300th game in school history. The Falcons are 300-253-13 all-time in their 51st year of football.
The Falcons recorded their fifth win is six attempts following an opening season loss under Fisher DeBerry. Air Force has now won 12 straight games in week two of the season dating back to a 1994 loss to BYU.
The Falcons improved to 16-12-1 all-time under Fisher DeBerry following an open week.
Air Force had two players rush for over 100 yards (Shaun Carney 131, Chad Hall 122) for the first time since the San Diego State game in 2002 (Steve Massie 123, Chance Harridge 117).
Individual
Senior DL Kevin Quinn and sophomore DE Jake Paulson made their first-career starts.
Senior PK/P Zach Sasser recorded the first punt of his career in the first quarter. The punt traveled 59 yards which is the longest by a Falcon this season.
Junior QB Shaun Carney's touchdown run in the second quarter marks his fourth straight game with a touchdown run dating back to last season. Carney's touchdown pass in the second quarter marks his first scoring toss of the year. Carney rushed for two touchdowns against Wyoming to mark his fourth-career multiple-touchdown game. Carney rushed for a career-best 131 yards to mark the second time of his career he's topped the 100-yard mark. Carney's 25 carries is also a career high.
Senior HB Beau Suder scored the first touchdown of his career in the second quarter on a 20-yard reception from Shaun Carney.
Sophomore FAL Aaron Kirchoff has two recoveries on the kickoff team this season. He recovered an onside kick in the season opener at Tennessee and a muffed sky kick vs. Wyoming.
Junior HB Chad Hall recorded career highs in carries and yards with 20 attempts for 122 yards. The 100-yard effort is the second of his career. His previous high in each category came last year against Colorado State with 11 carries for 107 yards.
T & T
Turnovers and takeaways! Air Force concentrated on these two areas in the preseason and it has shown up in the team's first two games. The Falcons are second in the conference and eighth nationally with a 1.50 per-game turnover margin. The team is +3 on the season after forcing four turnovers and committing just one. The Falcons were -7 last year in turnover margin.
Air Force leads the nation in third down conversions
Air Force has been off the charts through two games this season in third down conversions. The Falcons lead the nation with a 67.7 percentage, converting 21 of 31 third downs. Air Force was nine of 13 in the season opener at Tennessee and 12 of 18 at Wyoming. The Falcons are the only team in the MWC with a percentage of 50 or better, as Utah ranks second with a 47.1 mark.
Vintage option football through two games
Air Force's triple option has been rolling this season. The Falcons lead the conference and rank second nationally in rushing with a 304.0 per-game average. The team has averaged 5.0 yards per carry. Air Force also leads the conference in time of possession with a 35:28 average. The team held a 40:25 to 19:35 advantage against Wyoming and ran 35 more plays than the Cowboys. Air Force had scoring drives of 11, 18, 11 and 17 plays and held the ball of over 10 minutes in three of four quarters. Wyoming was held to just six offensive plays in the third quarter. On the year, the Falcons have run 34 more plays than the opponent. Quarterback Shaun Carney has passed just 16 times in two games, but has completed 10 of the passes which is a 62.5 completion percentage. He has a 170.8 quarterback efficiency rating with one touchdown pass and no interceptions. All 10 of Carney's completions this season have gone for a first down or touchdown.
Air Force ranks ninth
Air Force has scored in 158 consecutive games dating back to 1992. The Falcons were last shutout by Mississippi, 13-0, in the 1992 Liberty Bowl. That shutout is the only one in the 23-year career of Fisher DeBerry. Air Force's streak is the second-longest active streak in the Mountain West Conference and the ninth longest in the country
Defense tough against the run
Air Force has been tough against the run this season. The Falcons rank third in the conference and 19th nationally in rushing defense, allowing 78.0 yards per game. Air Force held Tennessee to just 79 yards in the season opener. The team followed that with a 77-yard effort at Wyoming. The Falcons have not allowed a 100-yard rusher this season and the opponent is averaging just 2.9 yards per carry and has only one rushing touchdown. The defense has also not allowed a run of over 20 yards.
Hall leads the MWC in rushing
Junior halfback Chad Hall is off to a hot start this season. The Atlanta, Ga., native leads the Mountain West Conference and ranks 22nd nationally in rushing with a 101.5-yard average. Hall rushed for a career-best 122 yards on a career-high 20 carries with a touchdown at Wyoming. His 122-yard effort is the most by an Air Force halfback since Leotis Palmer rushed for 125 yards against New Mexico in 2002. Hall had six carries that converted third downs for Air Force. In the season opener at Tennessee, Hall rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.
On the year, Hall has rushed for 203 yards and averaged 6.5 yards per carry. He has not been thrown for a loss on any of his 31 carries and he has not turned the ball over. Hall is the first Falcon since Beau Morgan in 1996 to lead the league in rushing and the first halfback at Air Force to ever do it.
Air Force has three of the top four rushers; UNM has the other one
The Falcons have three of the top four rushers in the Mountain West Conference this season. In addition to Chad Hall (see above) leading the conference with a 101.5 average, quarterback Shaun Carney ranks third and fullback Ryan Williams fourth. Carney is averaging 91.5 yards per game while Williams has a 72.5 norm. Air Force leads the MWC as a team in rushing with a 304.0 average.
This week's game features the conference's top four rushers, as New Mexico's Rodney Ferguson is the conference's No. 2 rusher with a 93.2 per-game average.
Carney, Sasser earn MWC player of the week honors
Air Force quarterback Shaun Carney and place kicker/punter Zach Sasser earned player of the week honors for their performances at Wyoming. Carney earned the offensive player of the week honor after rushing for a career-best 131 yards on a career-high 25 carries. He scored two touchdowns while averaging 5.2 yards per carry. He also hit three of seven passes for 40 yards and a touchdown. Carney is a two-time winner of the award, also winning it in 2004 against UNLV.
Sasser earned the special teams honor for the second straight game he's played. Sasser kicked a 27-yard field goal to give the Falcons a two-possession lead late in the fourth quarter. He also punted three times for a 39.3 average, including a career-long 59-yard boot on his first-career punt. Sasser also executed a perfect sky kick, forcing a muff by Wyoming which led to an Air Force touchdown and a 21-7 lead.
Air Force fullbacks
When the fullback gets rolling, the Falcons are tough to beat. Despite losing at Tennessee in the season opener, Air Force is 42-11 since 1990 when the fullback position rushes for 100 or more yards. Junior Ryan Williams led the attack at Tennessee with a career-best 98 yards rushing. Scott Peeples added four yards to give the fullbacks 102 for the game. Last year, AF fullbacks rushed for 100 or more yards four times, winning three of the games.
Air Force conference / national rushing numbers
Air Force has been one of the most dominant rushing teams in college football since Fisher DeBerry took over in 1984. The team has ranked among the nation's top 10 a remarkable 22 times and the top five 17 times. In 2002, the Falcons won the school's first national rushing title with a 307.8 per-game average.
Air Force has won 22 conference rushing titles, including 20 under DeBerry. The Falcons won the Mountain West Conference title in 2005 and ranked eighth nationally with a 246.5 average. Air Force leads the MWC this season and ranks second nationally with an average of 304.0.
Year Stats Conf. National
1984 326.5 1st 2nd1985 293.2 1st 6th1986 232.6 1st 15th1987 386.3 1st 2nd1988 377.5 1st 2nd1989 356.0 1st 3rd1990 267.5 1st 7th1991 338.1 1st 2nd1992 242.4 2nd 7th1993 284.9 1st 4th1994 304.8 1st 2nd1995 332.4 1st 2nd1996 328.9 1st 2nd1997 332.7 2nd 9th1998 266.8 1st 3rd1999 285.5 1st 2nd2000 294.9 1st 2nd2001 273.2 1st 3rd2002 307.8 1st 1st2003 280.6 1st 4th2004 277.4 1st 4th2005 246.5 1st 8th2006 304.0 1st 2nd
Perez on Lott Trophy list
Air Force defensive lineman Gilberto Perez has been added to the Watch List for the 2006 Lott Trophy. Named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football's Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Now in its third year, The Lott Trophy is the first college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player.
Perez led the Falcons in tackles for losses last year with 9.5 before being injured late in the season. He was an honorable mention all-conference selection.
Sponsored by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, the award is given to a player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
David Pollack of Georgia and DeMeco Ryans of Alabama were the winners of the first two Lott Trophies. Both Georgia and Alabama received $25,000 for their general scholarship funds. In two years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated $170,000 to various charities, in addition to the two universities.
Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and Master Coaches, a distinguished group of former head college coaches.
The winner will be announced at a gala black-tie banquet at The Pacific Club Dec. 10.
Carney on O'Brien watch list
Air Force junior quarterback Shaun Carney is one of 34 quarterbacks on the Davey O'Brien "Watch List" for the 2006 season, according to an announcement from the O'Brien Foundation. The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback.
This year's list is made up of 19 seniors, 12 juniors and three sophomores. The O'Brien Award is the oldest and most prestigious award in the country for college quarterbacks and is named in honor of the late Davey O'Brien. O'Brien led the TCU Horned Frogs to the 1938 national championship and was the first player to win the Heisman, Walter Camp and Maxwell Awards in one season.
Carney is the school record holder for completion percentage, breaking his own school record of 61.1 percent set as a freshman with a 64.2 mark last year. He has passed for 2,708 career yards and 18 touchdowns which ranks seventh overall in Academy history. Carney, who was on the O'Brien Award watch list last year, ranks 28th in school history with 1,306 career rushing yards.
Air Force among the best
Air Force ranks second in the Mountain West Conference and 27th nationally the last 10 years in total wins. The Falcons have a 68-42 record (.618). During the last 10 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.
Commander-in-Chief's Tophy
The No. 1 goal of the Air Force football program is to win the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy competition between the three service academies. The 2006 season marks the 35th year of competition between Air Force, Army and Navy. Air Force has a 45-23-0 all-time CIC record and has won 16 trophy titles. Fisher DeBerry has led the Falcons to 14 of the 16 titles and has a 34-10 CIC record.
Air Force finished the 2005 Commander-in-Chief's Trophy series 0-2 for the fifth time overall and just the second time under Fisher DeBerry. The Falcons were beaten, 27-24, at Navy Oct. 8 and by Army, 27-24, on Nov. 5 in Falcon Stadium. Navy went on to defeat Army to win the CIC Trophy for the third consecutive year.
Hennings going into Hall of Fame
Former Air Force great Chad Hennings received one of the highest honors a college football player can earn this year, as he was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame Division I-A class. Hennings is one of 13 players and two coaches to be selected to the Hall of Fame from a ballot of 77 candidates and a pool of hundreds of eligible nominees, according to Ron Johnson, chairman of the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame.
Hennings, a 1988 graduate of the Academy, is considered one of college football's great defensive linemen of his era. A unanimous first-team All-America selection in 1987, Hennings received the Outland Trophy as the nation's top interior lineman. A two-time first-team all-conference selection, he is a member of the Western Athletic Conference all-time team and was named WAC defensive player of the decade for the 1980s. Hennings led the nation with 24 sacks in 1987 and played in numerous post-season all-star games including the Japan Bowl and East-West Shrine Game. He is a two-time first-team academic All-American and earned academic All-WAC honors three times. Hennings also received the Stan Bates Award as the conference's top scholar-athlete in 1987.
Although he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1988 NFL Draft, Hennings fulfilled a four-year military commitment, serving during the first Gulf War. In 1992, he rejoined the Cowboys and embarked on a nine-year NFL career that brought him three Super Bowl titles.
Hennings, who is a successful business owner, is very active in his community, serving as a member of the Board of Directors for Happy Hills Farm, a home for abused and neglected children. He and his wife, Tammy, currently reside in Flower Mound, Texas, with their children, Chase and Brenna.
The 2006 College Football Hall of Fame Division I-A Class will be inducted at the 49th Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 5, 2006, at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. They will be officially enshrined at the Hall in South Bend, Ind., during ceremonies in the summer of 2007.
DeBerry approaching 100 conference wins
Air Force head coach Fisher DeBerry is nearing his 100th conference win. The coach is 98-68-1 during his career in conference play. His 98 wins trails only close friend and former BYU coach LaVell Edwards in MWC/WAC history. DeBerry had guided the Academy to three conference championships and has been named coach of the year in the conference three times.
