11/11/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Air Force Post-Game Notes/Quotes
at Notre Dame (Nov. 10, 2007)
Team Notes
- Air Force recorded its eighth victory of the season, the most since the 2002 team finished the season 8-5.
- Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun recorded his eighth win of the season. His eight wins match the second most in school history for a first-year coach. Fisher DeBerry also won eight games in 1984. Ben Martin set the Academy standard with nine in 1958.
- The Falcons improved to 5-22 all-time vs. Notre Dame, including a 4-10 mark in Notre Dame Stadium.
- Air Force posted its fourth win in the last 25 years (1983-2007) in Notre Dame Stadium, which ties as the third-most in the nation during that span. Air Force matches USC with the four wins and trails only Michigan State with seven wins and Boston College with five.
- Air Force closed the regular season with a 3-1mark against non-conference opponents. The three wins is the most at the Academy since the 2003 team posted a 3-1 mark. The Falcons also beat South Carolina State and Army. Air Force improved to 7-8 since 2004 vs. non-conference opponents.
- Air Force improved to 4-1 "down the stretch" this season. The four wins are the most over the final six games of the regular season since the 2000 team was 4-2. Air Force entered the season with a 12-24 mark over the last six seasons in the final six games of the year.
- Air Force is using game captains this year. The captains for the Notre Dame game were seniors Chad Hall (WR-Z), Carson Bird (CB), Shaun Carney (QB) and junior Jared Marvin (NG). The team is also using honorary captains for each game. The honorary captains were Tim Fyda, a 1979 graduate and two-year letterman in football, and Terry Make, a 1987 graduate and four-year letterman. Maki holds the school record for tackles in a game, making 30 vs. Notre Dame in 1985.
- Air Force extended its consecutive games scoring streak to 179 games. The last time Air Force was shutout was Dec. 31, 1992, vs. Mississippi (13-0) in the Liberty Bowl. The 179-game streak is the longest in school history and ranks as the eighth-longest active streak in the nation.
- Air Force scored its third non-offensive touchdown this season when John Rabold returned a fumble 19 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. Air Force's other non-offensive scores this season were a Drew Fowler 26-yard interception return vs. Colorado State and an 85-yard fumble return by Bobby Giannini vs. Wyoming.
- Air Force took its first drive of the third quarter 67 yards for a touchdown (Carney 7 pass to Quintana) to mark the seventh time this season the team has scored on its opening drive of the second half. The team has four touchdowns and three field goals on its seven scores.
- Air Force's six quarterback sacks today tie as the most by the team this season. Air Force also had six in the season opener vs. South Carolina State.
- The Falcons held Notre Dame to just 58 yards rushing to mark the second straight game and fifth time this season the team has held a team under 100 yards. The 58 total is the second-lowest total allowed, trailing only the 17 yards AF allowed Army last week.
- Senior WR-Z Chad Hall recorded 272 all-purpose yards vs. Notre Dame to push him over 2,000 for the season. Hall now has 2,233 this season. He is already the single-season record holder at Air Force, breaking the previous mark of 1,735 by Cormac Carney in 1978. Hall moved into third place on the Air Force career all-purpose yardage list with 3,648. He moved past quarterback Beau Morgan (1994-96), who had 3,379.
- Chad Hall recorded two receptions to give him 43 on the season, which is the 10th most in a single-season at Air Force and the most since Jason Brown caught 49 in 2005.
- Chad Hall recorded a career-long 52-yard kickoff return in the third quarter. His previous long KOR was 30 yards earlier this season vs. TCU.
- Chad Hall rushed for 142 yards vs. Notre Dame to record his eighth-career 100-yard rushing performance. The 100-yard effort is his second straight and fifth in the last six weeks. Hall now has 1,264 this season which ranks sixth in Air Force history for a single season. Hall moved past quarterback Rob Perez, who had 1,157 in 1991, quarterback Keith Boyea, who had 1,216 in 2001 and quarterback Chance Harridge, who had 1,229 in 2002.
- Junior PK/P Ryan Harrison kicked two field goals vs. Notre Dame to give him 16 this season which ties as the fourth most in a single-season in Air Force history and is the most since Joey Ashcroft kicked 16 in 2002. Harrison's 16 field goals ties match Ashcroft and Jim Sturch, who had 16 in 1978.
- Senior CB Carson Bird and sophomore SS Chris Thomas each recorded their first quarterback sacks of the season. The sacks are the first by members of the Air Force secondary this season and came on back-to-back Notre Dame drives.
- Senior OLB John Rabold recorded multiple tackles for loss vs. Notre Dame. He has recorded at least one stop behind the line of scrimmage in nine straight games and 10 of 11 this season. Rabold also scored the first touchdown of his career, returning a fumble 19 yards in the first quarter. Rabold's touchdown is the third non-offensive touchdown this season by Air Force.
- Junior WR-X Spencer Armstrong scored the first rushing touchdown of his career, an eight-yard run in the second quarter to give Air Force a 17-10 lead.
- Sophomore WR-X Sean Quintana recorded the first touchdown catch of his career. Quintana's touchdown gave the Falcons a 24-10 lead early in the third quarter.
COACH Troy Calhoun
COACH Troy Calhoun: Well, overall, I thought it was a great team effort. That's really the way we played here over these last six or seven years. That's the way Air Force Academy, you have to play. Our play, it was quite evident today. We'll never -- let's say never, we might maybe in four or five years down the years recruiting-wise but right now you can see size-wise and you can see how much speed-wise, there are not a lot of teams that are going to match up with us, at least one-on-one. So what we've got to do is rely upon heavily the character, the fortitude of what has so well built in the young people at the Air Force Academy, that's the young men that are there. I thought we did that.
You know, I thought we went for it on fourth down, 10-3, they took the short field and went 50 yards to score a TD. You look back really the only time our defense relinquished touchdown drives were on condensed fields, one where we went 4-1 where we probably didn't -- so to answer that drive, right at the end of the first half, and to come out and knock it right out of their hands the second half, those were key.
Q. What did you expect (of the quarterback) coming in?
COACH Troy Calhoun: You know, I had a chance to watch him when he was in high school, and I just thought he was an extraordinary talented poised, bright quarterback, and ladies and gentlemen, just frankly, it's hard for a freshman, I mean, it is. For a freshman quarterback, he's never red shirted. What you see today is probably not what you're going to see in the future. He has the ability and that's part of some of the growing pains that happens whenever you have the turnover that they had personnel-wise.
Q. How well was your running game working?
COACH Troy Calhoun: You know, really well. I thought under the circumstances, that we had the two turnovers, which for us, both ended up being vital plays. It would be interesting to see, I mean, you look, ever since the first October, we've had one guy that maybe has -- inaudible -- from anybody. And there's some lanes that are happening up front where he's got some creases to run in.
Q. Curious about the pass rush, you put a lot of pressure on.
COACH Troy Calhoun: One thing we do, we were very aggressive. We're going to attack; we're going to blitz. That's what we tried to establish from day one in spring ball.
It was effective today. I also thought they did an outstanding job of pass protection. And the reason I say that is there were circumstances throughout the game where they knew they had to throw, and I thought they still did a pretty good job of holding us down. You know, that really helped.
Only thing I'll say, what we've got to do a little bit in college football is at some point we've got to get away from -- you know go out and kick off, and what's announced is this officiating crew is from Mountain West or this replay guy is from -- I think what we've got to do at some point -- and I'm going off a little but here. We've got to get to a point where you go play a game that there's no residue at all. There are no messages.
It's like last week, we played a game at home, and you know, we've just got to get out of that. And I don't want to take anything away from the football team, that's why we're here, but at some point -- inaudible -- goes to play at Michigan, Mountain West conference. I just think it would really help and enhance maybe the overall, just a little important integrity-wise.
Q. (Inaudible).
COACH Troy Calhoun: Now, you know, early, they had a good game early. I think with that structure that we utilize, I'm sure they had, you know, somewhere along the line they had some experience coaching-wise. It was a -- that was a key play. You look here, ever since October 13th, the first series of defense -- you can go right on down the line.
The next Michigan play, we played at home, and to have that happen today, we call those boomerangs where something happens one direction and not the other.
Q. This is your first year after being in the NFL, kind of a bigger picture question, but is there a difference?
COACH Troy Calhoun: Well, it's a -- at our place, it's easier. Every one of our kids is going to make 18 extra hours. They are taking classes that I can't even explain the name and I had a heck of a time getting through them, too. So, you know, there's some balances here and there that has to be taken into consideration.
You know, and yet at the same time, our guys, playing football, some of you heard me say this a few times, we don't have a single guy that plays for board and room and books and tuition. Each one of our guys plays football because they love the competition. At our place, it is entirely different. Our place is probably a little bit unique.
Q. Watching the players -- inaudible?
COACH Troy Calhoun: Well, any time you have an opportunity to come in, it's a special trip, and I wish there was a way I could -- Notre Dame is a phenomenal institution and I wish there was a way that down the road, you could schedule campus to campus. We don't have to go play in professional football venues. I love the NFL. It's just that if there's a way where we could keep that treasured among the two schools.
Also, our guys have played pretty good, and really have played fairly well here over the last -- really over the last month and a half. That was something and I thought these kids did a phenomenal job of developing with one another and growing a little bit closer and that's been fun to watch, the growth and development of our guys.
And the other part, we've won here before. You know, I've got a bunch of assistants, and, you know, this is a game where we've had some good times. We've had a few that weren't. We don't have guys who are coaches who have gone crazy and doing cartwheels on some of the players.
Q. Can you give us your thought process -- when that backfired?
COACH Troy Calhoun: You know, I think part of it is when you try and develop a mentality amongst your guys, you take enormous pride, in those situations, if you punt it, sure. You go back and kick yourself in the back side and I felt like really there was a very good chance we could get the yardage; and our defense, even if you don't, you have to be ready to respond. In that case, we did not, but there's a little bit of it that's by and large, that's an optimum play -- the execution, yeah.
Q. Talking about Chad Hall the last couple of weeks, your thoughts on his performance and also the plan going in?
COACH Troy Calhoun: Well, I thought coming in here, my hunches were this could be a low-scoring game. They always turn out this way anticipation-wise. He's our one -- that comes as no surprise. I feel like the later you get into the year, you know it's his senior year and there are not a whole lot left. He's wearing a little heavier harness and we are going to ride him a little. That's something that we are aware of.
COACH Troy Calhoun: Well, overall, I thought it was a great team effort. That's really the way we played here over these last six or seven years. That's the way Air Force Academy, you have to play. Our play, it was quite evident today. We'll never -- let's say never, we might maybe in four or five years down the years recruiting-wise but right now you can see size-wise and you can see how much speed-wise, there are not a lot of teams that are going to match up with us, at least one-on-one. So what we've got to do is rely upon heavily the character, the fortitude of what has so well built in the young people at the Air Force Academy, that's the young men that are there. I thought we did that.
You know, I thought we went for it on fourth down, 10-3, they took the short field and went 50 yards to score a TD. You look back really the only time our defense relinquished touchdown drives were on condensed fields, one where we went 4-1 where we probably didn't -- so to answer that drive, right at the end of the first half, and to come out and knock it right out of their hands the second half, those were key.
Q. What did you expect (of the quarterback) coming in?
COACH Troy Calhoun: You know, I had a chance to watch him when he was in high school, and I just thought he was an extraordinary talented poised, bright quarterback, and ladies and gentlemen, just frankly, it's hard for a freshman, I mean, it is. For a freshman quarterback, he's never red shirted. What you see today is probably not what you're going to see in the future. He has the ability and that's part of some of the growing pains that happens whenever you have the turnover that they had personnel-wise.
Q. How well was your running game working?
COACH Troy Calhoun: You know, really well. I thought under the circumstances, that we had the two turnovers, which for us, both ended up being vital plays. It would be interesting to see, I mean, you look, ever since the first October, we've had one guy that maybe has -- inaudible -- from anybody. And there's some lanes that are happening up front where he's got some creases to run in.
Q. Curious about the pass rush, you put a lot of pressure on.
COACH Troy Calhoun: One thing we do, we were very aggressive. We're going to attack; we're going to blitz. That's what we tried to establish from day one in spring ball.
It was effective today. I also thought they did an outstanding job of pass protection. And the reason I say that is there were circumstances throughout the game where they knew they had to throw, and I thought they still did a pretty good job of holding us down. You know, that really helped.
Only thing I'll say, what we've got to do a little bit in college football is at some point we've got to get away from -- you know go out and kick off, and what's announced is this officiating crew is from Mountain West or this replay guy is from -- I think what we've got to do at some point -- and I'm going off a little but here. We've got to get to a point where you go play a game that there's no residue at all. There are no messages.
It's like last week, we played a game at home, and you know, we've just got to get out of that. And I don't want to take anything away from the football team, that's why we're here, but at some point -- inaudible -- goes to play at Michigan, Mountain West conference. I just think it would really help and enhance maybe the overall, just a little important integrity-wise.
Q. (Inaudible).
COACH Troy Calhoun: Now, you know, early, they had a good game early. I think with that structure that we utilize, I'm sure they had, you know, somewhere along the line they had some experience coaching-wise. It was a -- that was a key play. You look here, ever since October 13th, the first series of defense -- you can go right on down the line.
The next Michigan play, we played at home, and to have that happen today, we call those boomerangs where something happens one direction and not the other.
Q. This is your first year after being in the NFL, kind of a bigger picture question, but is there a difference?
COACH Troy Calhoun: Well, it's a -- at our place, it's easier. Every one of our kids is going to make 18 extra hours. They are taking classes that I can't even explain the name and I had a heck of a time getting through them, too. So, you know, there's some balances here and there that has to be taken into consideration.
You know, and yet at the same time, our guys, playing football, some of you heard me say this a few times, we don't have a single guy that plays for board and room and books and tuition. Each one of our guys plays football because they love the competition. At our place, it is entirely different. Our place is probably a little bit unique.
Q. Watching the players -- inaudible?
COACH Troy Calhoun: Well, any time you have an opportunity to come in, it's a special trip, and I wish there was a way I could -- Notre Dame is a phenomenal institution and I wish there was a way that down the road, you could schedule campus to campus. We don't have to go play in professional football venues. I love the NFL. It's just that if there's a way where we could keep that treasured among the two schools.
Also, our guys have played pretty good, and really have played fairly well here over the last -- really over the last month and a half. That was something and I thought these kids did a phenomenal job of developing with one another and growing a little bit closer and that's been fun to watch, the growth and development of our guys.
And the other part, we've won here before. You know, I've got a bunch of assistants, and, you know, this is a game where we've had some good times. We've had a few that weren't. We don't have guys who are coaches who have gone crazy and doing cartwheels on some of the players.
Q. Can you give us your thought process -- when that backfired?
COACH Troy Calhoun: You know, I think part of it is when you try and develop a mentality amongst your guys, you take enormous pride, in those situations, if you punt it, sure. You go back and kick yourself in the back side and I felt like really there was a very good chance we could get the yardage; and our defense, even if you don't, you have to be ready to respond. In that case, we did not, but there's a little bit of it that's by and large, that's an optimum play -- the execution, yeah.
Q. Talking about Chad Hall the last couple of weeks, your thoughts on his performance and also the plan going in?
COACH Troy Calhoun: Well, I thought coming in here, my hunches were this could be a low-scoring game. They always turn out this way anticipation-wise. He's our one -- that comes as no surprise. I feel like the later you get into the year, you know it's his senior year and there are not a whole lot left. He's wearing a little heavier harness and we are going to ride him a little. That's something that we are aware of.
