Falcons Open 2007 Season Hosting South Carolina State.
8/27/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 27, 2007
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Complete Media Game Notes vs. S.C. State in PDF Format
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South Carolina State (0-0) vs. Air Force (0-0)
Saturday, Sept. 1, 12 p.m. Mountain
Falcon Stadium (46,692) - USAFA, CO
Television
The Air Force-South Carolina State football game will be carried on the Mountain Sports Network (Mtn.). James Bates (play-by-play), Todd Christiansen (color) and Anne-Marie Anderson (sideline) will call the action. Air Force is 2-3 all-time in games played on the network.
Radio
KVOR AM 740 in Colorado Springs. 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 Year
This week is the season opener for both Air Force and South Carolina State. Air Force had a 4-8 record in 2006, finishing tied for sixth in the Mountain West Conference with a 3-5 conference mark. The Falcons return 10 starters from last year, four on offense and six on defense.
South Carolina State had a 7-4 mark in 2006, finishing tied for second the in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) with a 6-2 conference record. S.C. State plays in the Football Championship Subdivision (Formerly NCAA Division I-AA). The Bulldogs return 12 starters from last year, five on offense and six on defense.
Last Meeting
This is the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
Streaks
Air Force has a four-game losing streak.
South Carolina State has a three game-winning streak.
Coaches
Air Force is coached by Troy Calhoun (USAFA, 1989), who is in his first season.
S.C. State is coached by Oliver "Buddy" Pough (S.C. State, 1975), who is in his sixth season. He has led the Bulldogs to a 40-17 career record.
A New Era At Air Force
The 2007 season ushers in a new era of Air Force football with Troy Calhoun taking over for the legendary Fisher DeBerry as head coach. DeBerry retired in December after 23 years at the helm. Calhoun, a 1989 Academy graduate, takes over as the sixth coach in school history and first graduate to lead the program.
Calhoun returns to the Academy after serving as the Houston Texans' offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach last season. Texans head coach Gary Kubiak brought Calhoun along with him from the Denver Broncos where he served as the assistant to the head coach in 2005.
Calhoun had become a well-rounded NFL coach, working as a defensive assistant, special teams assistant and offensive assistant with the Denver Broncos prior to last season.
Prior to the NFL, Calhoun was an offensive coordinator for six seasons on the collegiate level. He began his coaching career at Air Force where he worked as a graduate assistant from 1989-90. He started at quarterback for the Air Force Academy in 1986 and was a four-year letterwinner. He was one of only two freshmen to letter for the 1985 team that finished fifth in the final polls with a 12-1 record.
Calhoun served his country from 1989-95 as an active duty officer in the Air Force. He was the Falcons' recruiting coordinator and the junior varsity offensive coordinator in 1993-94.
He moved to Ohio University in 1995 where he served as the quarterbacks coach for two seasons. Calhoun was promoted to offensive coordinator in 1997. He moved to Wake Forest in 2001 as offensive coordinator.
Ties To South Carolina
- Junior safety Boston McClain is the lone Falcon from South Carolina. McClain is a native of Columbia and attended Ridge View HS.
- Former Falcon head coach Fisher DeBerry is a native of Cheraw, S.C. and a 1960 graduate of Wofford College, located in Spartanburg, S.C.
Air Force vs. MEAC
Air Force is playing its first-ever game against a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opponent.
Air Force vs. The Football Championship Subdivision
South Carolina State is the 12th Football Championship Subdivision (Formerly NCAA Division I-AA) that Air Force has played. The Falcons are 11-0 in the previous meetings vs. Championship Subdivision foes.
Year Team Result2004 Eastern Washington W, 42-202003 Wofford W, 49-02001 Tennessee Tech W, 42-02000 Cal State Northridge W, 55-61999 Villanova W, 37-131997 Idaho W, 14-10 The Citadel W, 17-31993 The Citadel W, 35-0 Indiana State W, 35-01991 Weber State W, 48-311990 The Citadel W, 10-7
Air Force in Season Openers
Air Force is 30-19-2 overall in season openers. Last year, the Falcons lost a 31-30 thriller at #11/17 ranked Tennessee in front of an Air Force record crowd of 105,466 at Neyland Stadium. Air Force has won its last two home openers, including 10 in a row to unranked opponents.
First career starts
Air Force has eight players scheduled to make the first start of their careers this week. On offense, the players are: Keith Williams (LT), Chris Monson (RT), Scott Peeples (FB) and Kip McCarthy (TB). Defensively, Hunter Altman (OLB) and Chris Thomas (SS) are making their first starts. Ryan Harrison makes his debut as the place kicker and punter, in addition to longsnapper Scott Howley.
Football game on Parent's Weekend
Air Force will play a home football game on Parent's Weekend for at least the next seven years, as the Academy finalized non-conference games through 2013 for the Labor Day weekend. Air Force finalized a deal recently with Southern Utah in 2008 and Northern Colorado in 2009. In addition, the team plays Houston in 2010, Florida State in 2011, Northern Colorado in 2012 and Colgate in 2013.
Parent's Weekend at Air Force is a special time when parents of freshmen cadets get a chance to visit the Academy and see their children in action. Traditionally, the football team plays a home game that weekend. Over the past two years the tradition has been snapped due to scheduling conflicts.
Young coaching staff with familarity
The new Air Force coaching staff isn't really all that new. Ten of the staff's 14 members either played or previously coached at Air Force. Along with head coach Troy Calhoun, assistant head coach Brian Knorr (Air Force, 1986), defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter (Air Force, 1985), cornerback coach Capt. Charlton Warren (Air Force, 1999), running backs coach Jemal Singleton (Air Force, 1999), co-offensive coordinator/quarterback coach Blane Morgan (Air Force, 1999), wide receivers coach Mike Thiessen (Air Force, 2001), tight ends Ben Miller (Air Force, 2002), junior varsity head coach Lt. Col. Steve Senn (Air Force, 1990) and junior varsity assistant head coach Maj. Anthony Roberson (Air Force, 1989) all played and graduated from the Academy. Only offensive line coach Clay Hendrix (Furman, 1986), defensive line coach Ron Burton (North Carolina, 1987), outside linebacker coach Matt Weikert (Ohio, 2002) and offensive assistant Patrick Covington (Furman, 2006) have no previous experience at the Academy. In addition to familarity, no coach on the staff graduated from college prior to 1985. Tim DeRuyter, at age 43, is the oldest member of the staff.
Air Force Academy grads comprise 71.4 percent of the coaching staff (9 of 14). No other Div. I football program has over 50 percent of its staff coaching for their Alma Mater.
Coach - Position - Year graduated
Troy Calhoun - Head Coach - 1989
Brian Knorr - Assistant Head Coach/ILB's - 1986
Tim DeRuyter - Defensive Coordinator/Safeties - 1985
Blane Morgan - Co-Offensive Coordinator/QB's - 1999
Jemal Singleton - Running Backs - 1999
Lt. Col. Steve Senn - JV Head Coach - 1990
Maj. Anthony Roberson - JV Assistant Head Coach - 1989
Capt. Charlton Warren - Cornerback/Recruiting Coord. - 1999
Capt. Mike Theissen - Wide Receivers - 2001
Ben Miller - Tight Ends - 2002
Air Force picked seventh at MWC Media Day
Air Force was picked to finish seventh in the Mountain West Conference this season by vote of the conference coaches and media. It was announced at the annual conference media day in Las Vegas. Senior linebacker Drew Fowler was named to the preseason first-team all-conference squad.
TCU was selected to win the 2007 Mountain West Conference football title in a poll of MWC media members. The Horned Frogs posted a second-place finish in the MWC in 2006, compiling a 6-2 mark against league opponents en route to an 11-2 overall record and a Top 25 ranking in the final USA Today Coaches, Associated Press and Harris polls.
TCU, which enters the 2007 season with the nation's fourth-longest win streak at eight games, was the overwhelming favorite for the second-consecutive season, receiving 18 first-place votes and a total of 202 points.
Defending Mountain West Conference champion BYU was chosen to finish second with 178 points and three first-place votes. The Cougars posted their second unblemished record (8-0) in conference play in 2006, ending the season with an 11-2 mark overall and a Top 25 ranking in the final USA Today Coaches, Associated Press and Harris polls. BYU, which enters the season with the nation's second-longest win streak at 10 games, returns six starters from an offense that ranked among the top five nationally in scoring, passing and total yardage last season.
Utah was picked to finish third after posting an 8-5 slate (5-3 MWC) and winning its sixth consecutive bowl game last season. The Utes, who return nine starters on offense and five on defense, totaled 165 points and two first-place votes.
New Mexico was chosen fourth with 120 points, followed by Wyoming (5th - 110 points), Colorado State (6th - 107 points), Air Force (7th - 62 points), San Diego State (8th - 56 points) and UNLV (9th - 35 points).
What They Are Saying About Air Force in 2007
The following information is from 2006 preview magazines about Air Force.
College Football News
• Sr. ILB Drew Fowler - First-team all-conference; ranked fifth best player in MWC
• Sr. QB Shaun Carney - Second-team all-conference; ranked eighth best player in MWC
• Sr. OL Blaine Guenther - Second-team all-conference
• Sr. FS Bobby Giannini - Seacond-team all-confernce
CBS Sportsline
• Air Force picked to finish fifth
• Sr. ILB Drew Fowler - MWC All-Conference Team
Sporting News
• Air Force picked to finish eighth
• Sr. ILB Drew Fowler - MWC All-Conference Team
Phil Steele College Football
• Sr. QB Shaun Carney #58 ranked quarterback
• Sr. ILB Drew Fowler #52 ranked outside linebacker
Phil Steele's 2007 MWC Team
• Sr. ILB Drew Fowler - 1st team
• Sr. FS Bobby Giannini - 2nd team
• Sr. WRZ Chad Hall - 3rd team
• Sr. QB Shaun Carney - Honorable mention
Falcons vs. non-conference foes
Air Force is looking to reverse a trend of losing to non-conference opponents. In the last three years, the Falcons are just 4-7 in their non-conference tilts and just 2-5 in the last two years. The Falcons are 0-3 against nationally ranked oppoents, falling to No. 13 California in 2004 and No. 11 Tennessee and No. 9 Notre Dame in 2006.
Year Date Opp Score2004 Sept. 4 California L 14-56 Sept. 11 E. Washington W 42-20 Sept. 30 Navy L 21-24 Nov. 6 at Army W 31-222005 Sept. 3 Washington (N) W 20-17 Oct. 8 at Navy L 24-27 Nov. 5 Army L 24-272006 Sept. 9 at Tennessee L 30-31 Oct. 7 Navy L 17-24 Nov. 3 at Army W 43-7 Nov. 10 Notre Dame L 17-39 * - Bowl game
Blocked kicks
n The Falcons have blocked 99 kicks since 1990 to rank second nationally behind Virginia Tech.
- Air Force blocked seven kicks last season, including five extra points and two punts.
- Jake Paulson (PAT vs. UNLV) and Hunter Altman (Punt vs. UNLV) are current Falcons with a blocked kick.
Year-by-Year Blocks Since 1990
Year Total Punts FGs PATs
1990 6 3 1 2
1991 3 1 1 1
1992 8 6 1 1
1993 5 2 3 0
1994 5 4 1 0
1995 3 1 2 0
1996 4 1 3 0
1997 11* 7 3 1
1998 7 4 3 0
1999 8 6 1 1
2000 9 4 2 3
2001 7 2 3 2
2002 4 3 1 0
2003 7 3 3 1
2004 2 0 0 2
2005 3 2 0 1
2006 7 2 0 5
Totals 99 51 28 20
* - school record
Air Force ranks eighth
- Air Force has scored in 168 consecutive games dating back to 1992.
- The Falcons were last shutout by Mississippi, 13-0, in the 1992 Liberty Bowl.
- Air Force's streak is the second-longest active streak in the Mountain West Conference and the eighth longest in the country.
# School Streak Last Shutout
1. Michigan 274 Oct. 20, 1984 at Iowa (0-26)2. Washington State 261 Sept. 15, 1984 at Ohio State (0-44)3. Oregon 256 Sept. 28, 1985 at Nebraska (0-63)4. Florida 229 Oct. 29, 1988 vs. Auburn (0-16)5. Colorado 222 Nov. 12, 1988 at Nebraska (0-7)6. TCU (MWC) 176 Nov. 16, 1991 at Texas (0-32)7. Nevada 174 *--All games: joined Div I-A in 19928. Air Force (MWC) 168 #--Dec. 31, 1992 vs. Mississippi (0-13)(*--310 games dating back to I-AA days; #--Liberty Bowl)
Commander-in-Chief's Trophy
Air Force, Army and Navy compete each year for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, which is emblematic of service academy football surpremecy. The trophy goes annually to the winning academy with the best record in round-robin competition. The President of the United States presents the trophy to the seniors from the winning team each year at a ceremony at the White House.
The 2007 season marks the 36th year of trophy competition. Last year, Navy won the trophy for the fourth consecutive year after beating both Air Force and Army. The Falcons were 1-1 in CIC games. Air Force was beaten by Navy, 24-17, in Falcon Stadium and defeated Army, 43-7, at West Point. Air Force has a 46-24-0 all-time CIC record and has won 16 trophy titles. Air Force's overall record and number of trophy titles are best among the three academies.
Team Record Pct.Air Force 46-24-0 .657Navy 33-36-1 .479Army 25-44-1 .364
Air Force outright CIC title years:
`82, `83, `85, `87, `89, `90, `91, `92, `94, `95, `97, `98, `99, `00, `01, `02.
Rookies on the roster
Several newcomers have come in and immedately made their presence felt, as 11 freshmen have made the opening week roster while five have craked the two-deep depth chart.
# Name Pos. Hometown
8 Reggie Rembert* CB Flower Mound, TX18 Will McAngus QB Justin, TX36 Andre Morris Jr.* OLB Newnan, GA38 Stephan Atrice CB Fairburn, GA41 William Keuchler OLB Westerville, OH42 Savier Stephens* TB Jacksonville, FL53 Ken Lamendola* ILB Westlake, OH66 Ben Leung OG Fort Worth, TX70 Matt Markling* OT Cleveland, OH78 Rick Ricketts DE San Jose, CA84 Steve Shaffer TE Austin, TX* On the two-deep depth chart
Fowler on Lombardi Watch List
Senior linebacker Drew Fowler is on the "watch list" for the 38th Annual Rotary Lombardi Award, presented by Wachovia Bank. Fowler is one of 46 athletes on the preliminary list for the award, which recognizes the college football lineman of the year. For a complete list of other candiates, please go to www.rotarylombardiaward.com.
Fowler led the conference and ranked 11th nationally in total tackles with a 10.2 average becoming the first Falcon since Chris Gizzi in 1997 to lead the league in tackles. The Clayton, N.C., product recorded 123 tackles, which is the most by a Falcon since Gizzi posted 179 in 1997.
Fowler led the team in tackles in 10 of 12 games in 2006 and notched a career-high 18 tackles in the loss to Navy. His 18 stops are the most by a Falcon since Gizzi had 20 vs. Fresno State in 1997 and earned him the conference's player of the week for his efforts against Navy.
Fowler earned first-team all-conference honors for his efforts, becoming the first Falcon to earn first-team honors since Marchello Graddy in 2003. He was also named the Colorado defensive player of the year by the Colorado chapter of the National Football Foundation.
Hall moves to WR-Z after all-conference RB campain in 2006
Chad Hall had a breakout season in 2006, becoming the first halfback to lead the team in rushing since Jake Campbell in 1994. Hall ranked ranked fourth in the conference in rushing with a 65.3 per-game average and topped the 100-yard mark twice. He rushed for a career-best 122 yards at Wyoming and had 102 against Colorado State, marking the second straight year he rushed for 100 or more yards vs. the Rams.
The 5-foot-8, 180-pound Hall topped the 20-carry mark three times last season. He had 20 carries vs. Wyoming, 25 against Colorado State and 20 for a team-high 67 yards vs. Notre Dame. Hall hit the 1,000-yard mark for his career during the season, becoming the 34th player in school history to rush for over 1,000 yards. He ranks 31st in school history with 1,128 career yards.
Hall, who moved to the z-wide receiver position during spring drills, was named second-team all-conference becoming just the third Air Force halfback in school history to earn all-conference honors and the first since Greg Johnson was a first-team all-Western Athletic Conference selection in 1989.
Guenther on Rimington list
Senior center Blaine Guenther is on the Rimington Trophy watch list for 2007. Guenther is one of 46 players on the list, which recognizes the top collegiate center each year. Twenty-three players on the list are seniors, 18 are juniors while five are sophomores. The winner of the award is selected by determining the consensus All-America center pick from four existing All-America teams: American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp Foundation, Sporting News and Football Writers Association of America.
Guenther is a two-year letterman. He started all 12 games at tackle last year before moving to center in the spring.
Carney on Davey O'Brien watch list for third-straight year
Air Force senior quarterback Shaun Carney has been selected for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award "watch list." Carney is one of 35 players on the watch list and this season marks the third straight year the North Olmstead, Ohio, product has made the list.
The Watch List is based on All-America teams and Honorable Mentions published in at least six different preseason college football magazines. A candidate must be listed as an All-America quarterback or as a first of second team All-American within his conference in at least one publication, or as honorable mention in at least three publications. The O'Brien requires selection committee members to consider the character and leadership qualities of each candidate, in addition to athletic prowess when voting.
"Along with athletic ability, The O'Brien winner must exhibit the same character and moral fiber that Davey O'Brien displayed throughout his life," Davey O'Brien Foundation executive director Danielle Moorman said. "We challenge Watch List candidates to live up to this fundamental aspect of our award while leading their teams into competition."
The winner will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN Dec. 6, 2007. The recipient will be honored Feb. 18, 2008, at the annual Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.
Carney is entering his fourth season as the starter for Air Force. He ranks third in career total offense at the Academy with 5,824 total yards. He also ranks eighth in rushing with 1,924 yards, third in passing with 3,900 yards and second in touchdown passes with 30.
Carney moving up the charts
Quarterback Shaun Carney continued his climb up the Air Force record charts in 2006. He hit 82 of 137 passes for 1,192 yards with 12 touchdowns and just three interceptions. His 59.9 completion percentage is the third-best mark in school history for a single season. Carney already owns the top mark of 64.2 set in 2005. He hit 61.1 as a freshman which is the second-best mark in AF history.
Carney ranked third in the conference in passing efficiency with a 157.5 mark. His 12 touchdown passes rank fifth overall in school history. For his career, Carney has hit 268 of 434 passes for 3,900 yards with 30 touchdowns. His 3,900 yards rank third all-time in school history. His 30 touchdown passes are second overall. He ranks third in school history in career total offense with 5,824 yards. Carney is eighth in AF history in career rushing yards with 1,924. He needs just 76 yards to become only the seventh player in school history to hit the 2,000-yard mark.
