Air Force hosts #16/18 BYU in MWC showdown
11/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 10, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format 
Air Force (8-2, 5-1) vs. BYU (9-1, 5-1)
Saturday, Nov. 15, 1:30 p.m. Mountain
Falcon Stadium (46,692), USAF Academy, CO
Radio
KVOR AM 740 in Colorado Springs; KCKK 1510 AM in Denver and Northern Colorado Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 122
Talent - Jim Arthur (play-by-play); Lee Douglas (anaylst); Jay Ritchie (pre- and post-game).
Television
CBS College Sports (CBS C)
Channel 613 on DirecTV, 152 on DISH and 170 on Comcast
Talent - Tom Hart (play-by-play); Trev Alberts (color).
Air Force hosts #16/18 BYU in MWC showdown
Air Force hosts No. 16/18 BYU this Saturday, Nov. 15, at 1:30 p.m. in Falcon Stadium in the final home game of the season. The game will be the last at home for 18 Air Force senior players.
This week's game features the conference's top offense in BYU and one of the top defenses in Air Force. BYU is averaging a conference-best 36.2 points and 443.9 yards per game. Air Force is third in the league in scoring defense with a 17.3 average and is the conference's top pass defense with a 167.2 per-game norm. BYU features the league's top pass efficiency rating at 166.7 while Air Force counters with the MWC's second-ranked pass efficiency defense rating of 108.4. Both teams are among the league's elite in turnover margin. Air Force leads the conference with a 1.20 per-game norm while BYU is third at .80.
Air Force and BYU meet for the 29th time overall and 26th time as conference foes.
BYU leads the all-time series, 22-6, and holds a 19-6 mark in conference meetings. Air Force is 3-11 at home, 2-11 at BYU and 1-0 in neutral site games. In the last seven games of the series, the winning team has averaged 43.7 points per game.
BYU is the second ranked team that Air Force has faced this season. The Falcons lost to 20th-ranked Utah, 30-23, earlier this season. The Falcons are 14-61-4 (.190) all-time vs. ranked teams. Air Force's last victory over a ranked team came in 2002 at No. 23 California, 23-21. Air Force's last win in Falcon Stadium over a ranked team came in 2000 vs. 20th-ranked Colorado State, 44-40.
The last time Air Force beat a top 20 team in the A.P. ranking and went to a bowl game in the same year was 1970 when the Falcons defeated sixth-ranked Stanford, 31-14, at home and played in the Sugar Bowl.
The series
Air Force and BYU meet for the 29th time overall and 26th time as conference foes. BYU leads the all-time series, 22-6, and holds a 19-6 mark in conference meetings. Air Force is 3-11 at home, 2-11 at BYU and 1-0 in neutral site games. In the past 11 years, dating back to 1995, BYU leads the series 6-5. Prior to the last 11 meetings, the Cougars dominated the series. BYU won 16 of the first 17 games in the series, until 1995 when AFA started to even things out. The teams first played Nov. 24, 1956, in Provo. The Cougars won the game, 34-21.
Year by Year
1956 - BYU 34-21 (H)
1974 - BYU 12-10 (H)
1975 - BYU 28-14 (A)
1981 - BYU 45-21 (A)
1982 - AFA 39-38 (A)
1983 - BYU 46-28 (H)
1984 - BYU 30-25 (H)
1985 - BYU 28-21 (A)
1986 - BYU 23-3 (H)
1987 - BYU 24-13 (A)
1988 - BYU 49-31 (H)
1989 - BYU 44-35 (A)
1990 - BYU 54-7 (H)
1991 - BYU 21-7 (A)
1992 - BYU 28-7 (H)
1993 - BYU 30-3 (A)
1994 - BYU 45-21 (H)
1995 - AFA 38-12 (H)
1998 - AFA 20-13*
1999 - BYU 27-20 (A)
2000 - AFA 31-23 (H)
2001 - BYU 63-33 (A)
2002 - AFA 52-9 (H)
2003 - AFA 24-10 (A)
2004 - BYU 41-24 (H)
2005 - BYU 62-41 (A)
2006 - BYU 33-14 (H)
2007 - BYU 31-6 (A)
* - Las Vegas, NV
Site is for AFA ( )
Last year
AP Article - Max Hall passed for 293 yards and two touchdowns and Brigham Young ended Air Force's unbeaten start with a 31-6 win on Saturday, Sept. 22, the Falcons' first loss under new coach Troy Calhoun.
Harvey Unga ran for 111 yards and caught a touchdown pass and Manase Tonga scored on two short runs for the Cougars.
BYU won its fourth straight against the Falcons.
Air Force finished with 231 yards of offense and was just 3-for-13 on third downs. Shaun Carney passed for 98 yards and scored Air Force's only touchdown on an 8-yard option run late in the third quarter after BYU was up 24-0.
The Cougars led 17-0 at halftime, then in the third quarter caught the Falcons by surprise on fourth-and-9 from the 29. Rather than attempting a long field goal, the Cougars went for it and Hall threw a perfect sideline pass to Unga out of the backfield for a touchdown with 10:54 left in the third.
Air Force didn't score until Carney's 8-yard run with 3:31 left in the third cut BYU's lead to 24-6. The Falcons went for two and the Cougars snuffed the option run.
Tonga added a 2-yard touchdown run early in the fourth to give BYU a 31-6 lead.
Air Force's defense was holding opponents to an average of 294 yards and fewer than 11 points through the first three games. BYU finished with 452 yards as Hall completed 23 of 33 passes and the Cougars ran 44 times for 159 yards.
BYU led 17-0 at halftime on a 1-yard run by Tonga in the first quarter, a 9-yard pass from Hall to Matt Allen in the second and a 42-yard field goal by Mitch Payne. Chad Smith was the Falcons' top rusher, gaining 47 yards on just two carries. Smith had a career-long 45-yard run in the game.
Chad Hall had team-high's with six receptions for 80 yards. Hall accounted for 137 all-purpose yards for the Falcons.
The last time at home vs. BYU
BYU defeated Air Force, 33-14, to take control of the Mountain West Conference with a 4-0 record. The Cougars were dominant, rolling up 411 total yards while holding Air Force to just 229. Quarterback John Beck led the way with 258 yards and three touchdowns on 23 of 31 passing. He hit 10 different receivers in the game. The rushing attack was led by Fui Vakapuna with 52 yards on 12 carries. Curtis Brown added 42 yards on 10 carries.
Vakapuna opened the scoring with a six-yard touchdown run on BYU's opening drive to give the Cougars a 7-0 lead. Beck added a pair of touchdown passes in the second quarter to give BYU a commanding 21-0 halftime lead. Jared McLaughlin added a 53-yard field goal in the third quarter to extend the lead to 24-0. The Falcons finally got on the board with a Shaun Carney one-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 24-7 with 3:54 remaining in the third quarter. Beck followed with his third TD pass of the game early in the fourth quarter and another McLaughlin field goal made it 33-7. Beau Suder added a touchdown in the final seconds to make up the final margin. The Falcons were led by Jacobe Kendrick, who rushed for 58 yards. Carney added 50 yards on 10 carries and hit two of six passes for 16 yards. The defense was led by Drew Fowler, who had 13 tackles. Bobby Giannini and Chris Thomas each added eight tackles.
Career statistics vs. BYU
RushingName G Att-Yds-TDsBrenton Byrd 1 7-14-0
PassingName G C-A-Int-Yds-TDNone
ReceivingName G #-Yds-TDSean Quintana 1 1-10-0Travis Dekker 1 1-7-0
TacklesName G UT-AT-TotalChris Thomas 2 12-10-22Ryan Kemp 2 2-2-4Aaron Kirchoff 2 4-2-6Jaren Marvin 2 1-2-3Hunter Altman 1 1-0-1Ben Garland 1 0-1-1Andre Morris, Jr. 1 3-1-4Jake Paulson 1 0-2-2Luke Yeager 1 1-0-1Will Keuchler 1 1-0-1
Air Force vs. ranked teams
BYU is the second ranked team that Air Force has faced this season. The Falcons lost to 20th-ranked Utah, 30-23, earlier this season.
The Falcons are 14-61-4 (.190) all-time vs. ranked teams. Air Force's last victory over a ranked team came in 2002 at No. 23 California, 23-21. Air Force's last win in Falcon Stadium over a ranked team came in 2000 vs. 20th-ranked Colorado State, 44-40.
The last time Air Force beat a top 20 team in the A.P. ranking and went to a bowl game in the same year was 1970 when the Falcons defeated sixth-ranked Stanford, 31-14, at home and played in the Sugar Bowl.
The Falcons will play a ranked team next week when the team travels to Fort Worth to take on #15/18 TCU. Next week marks the first time since 1973 that Air Force will play ranked teams in back-to-back weeks. That year, Air Force played No. 7 Penn State in Falcon Stadium, then traveled to No. 17 Colorado. The Falcons lost both games.
This season marks the first time since 2002 that Air Force has played three or more ranked teams. The Falcons played four ranked teams in 2002, defeating No. 23 California (23-21), losing to No. 7 Notre Dame (21-14), No. 24 Colorado State (31-12) and No. 19 Virginia Tech (20-13) in the San Francisco Bowl.
Seniors playing final home game
This week marks the final home game for 18 Air Force seniors. The seniors helped lead Air Force to its first bowl game in five years in 2007 and the team is poised for consecutive bowl games for just the fourth time in school history and first time since 1997-98. The seniors will be honored during a pre-game ceremony on Saturday. The seniors players are:
6 - Kevin Rivers (CB); 13 - Ryan Harrison (PK/P); 14 - Shea Smith (QB); 19 - Ty Paffett (WR-Z); 23 - Aaron Kirchoff (FS); 25 - Todd Newell (FB); 26 - Spencer Armstrong (WR-X); 30 - Luke Yeager (FS); 32 - Hunter Altman (OLB); 48 - Brandon Reeves (ILB); 50 - Scott Howley (DS); 56 - Jared Marvin (NG); 63 - Andrew Pipes (OC); 79 - Keith Williams (OL); 85 - Keith Madsen (TE); 88 - Travis Dekker (TE); 91 - Ryan Kemp (DE); 95 - Jake Paulson (DE).
Last week
Freshman tailback Asher Clark rushed for a career-high 136 yards and fellow rookie Tim Jefferson hit six of eight passes for a career-best 171 yards passing to lead Air Force past Colorado State, 38-17.
Gartrell Johnson scored on a one-yard run on Colorado State's opening drive to give the Rams a 7-0 lead. The Falcons answered on their next drive with a Kyle Lumpkin four-yard run to tie the game at 7-7 midway through the first quarter. Clark then scored the first of his two touchdowns with a 41-yard run to give Air Force a 14-7 lead. Dion Morton tied it at 14 for Colorado State on a four-yard touchdown catch from Billy Farris early in the second quarter. The Falcons answered on their next drive with a 74-yard touchdown pass from Jefferson to Kyle Halderman to take the lead for good, 21-14. Jason Smith hit a 23-yard field goal to cut the lead to 21-17 at halftime.
The second half was all-Air Force. Clark scored his second touchdown on a career-long 45-yard run to make it 28-17 early in the third quarter. Travis Dekker hauled in a four-yard touchdown pass from Jefferson to extend the lead to 35-17 with 7:17 left in the third quarter. Ryan Harrison added a field goal early in the fourth quarter to make up the final margin. The Falcons held the ball for the final 9:21 of the game and took a knee inside the five yard line to end the game.
Air Force finished the game with 455 total yards, including 284 rushing. Todd Newell rushed for 60 yards on 13 carries and Jared Tew added 50 on 10 carries. Halderman was the leading receiver with two catches for 99 yards. Ken Lamendola, Reggie Rembert and Chris Thomas each had 10 tackles to lead the defense. Rembert also had an interception and recorded 100 yards on kickoff and punt returns combined.
Colorado State was led by Johnson, who rushed for 81 yards on 19 carries. Farris hit 19 of 36 passes for 251 yards. Rashaun Greer led the Rams with 145 yards on seven catches. CSU finished with 354 total yards.
Last game's notes
Team Notes
- Air Force improved to 8-2 overall and 5-1 in the Mountain West Conference. The team's five conference wins are tied for the second most in school history (2000). Air Force has won 11 MWC games the last two years which is the most in back-to-back seasons ever. The team's six conference wins last year set a school record. n Air Force's 8-2 mark is its best 10-game record since 1998 when the team opened 9-1.
- Air Force extended its winning streak to five games overall, the most since the 2003 team opened the season 5-0. The current-give game streak is the best at the end of a season since the 1998 team closed the year with a nine-game streak.
- Air Force extended its Mountain West Conference winning streak to a school record four games. The previous record of three straight MWC wins came last year.
- The victory over Colorado State gives Air Force 17 wins over the last two seasons (with at least two games remaining) which is the most in back-to-back seasons since the 1998-99 teams won 18.
- Air Force improves to 27-19-1 overall against Colorado State, including a 16-13 mark in conference games dating back to 1980. Air Force improved to 16-11-1 at home vs. the Rams. Air Force has now won three straight and four of the last five against Colorado State.
- The Falcons secured the Ram-Falcon Trophy, given to the winner of the annual contest between Air Force and Colorado State. The title is the 16th for Air Force.
- Head Coach Troy Calhoun improves to 17-6 overall and 11-3 in conference games. His .786 conference winning percentage is the fourth-best in Mountain West Conference history.
- Air Force improved to 9-2 in Falcon Stadium under head coach Troy Calhoun.
- Air Force improved to 12-1 under head coach Troy Calhoun with a 100-yard rusher. The Falcons are 3-0 this season. Asher Clark did the honor vs. Colorado State with 136 yards.
- Air Force forced two turnovers vs. Colorado State to mark the ninth time in 10 games the team has forced two or more turnovers. Air Force scored 14 points off two Colorado State turnovers and has scored 97 points off 25 turnovers this season. The team has scored points off turnovers in every game it's forced a turnover this season.
Individual Notes
- Senior PK Ryan Harrison hit a 27-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to set a new Air Force single-season record with 20 field goals. Harrison broke the record of 19 he (2007) shared with David Adams (2000) and Dave Lawson (1974). Harrison has now hit 20 of 22 field goals this season and 30 of his last 32 dating back to last season. Harrison moved into a tie for third place in career field goals with Joe Wood (1989-91) with 39. Harrison has hit 39 of 49 career field goals and his .796 career percentage is tied for second in school history with Wood.
- Freshman TB Asher Clark recorded a career-high 136 yards rushing and notched his first multiple touchdown game of his career with two touchdowns rushing. Clark recorded a career-long run of 45 yards, which was for a touchdown. His previous career long run of 41 yards, also good for a touchdown, came earlier in the game. The 100-plus yard effort is the second of his career, as he rushed for 109 yards at San Diego State in his first-career start. Clark's 136 yards are the most by a Falcon this season and most since Jim Ollis rushed for 163 yards vs. San Diego State last season.
- Freshman QB Tim Jefferson and sophomore WR-Z Kyle Halderman connected on a 74-yard touchdown pass which is the longest pass play by Air Force this season. The 74-yard play is the longest of each player's career. Halderman also has a 74 yard run this season at Wyoming. The pass play is the longest at Air Force since QB Adam Fitch hit WR Greg Kirkwood with an 84 yard touchdown at Washington in 2005.
- Freshman QB Tim Jefferson recorded a career high 171 yards passing. His previous high was 162 yards at UNLV earlier this season. Jefferson also tied his career high with two touchdown passes.
- Sophomore WR-Z Kyle Halderman recorded his career high in receiving yards with 99 on two catches. His previous high was 62 yards on three catches vs. Navy.
- Sophomore ILB Ken Lamendola recorded 10 total tackles to record his sixth double figure tackle game this season. Lamendola is tied for the conference lead in double figure tackle games. Lamendola also recorded the first interception of his career.
- Sophomore CB Reggie Rembert recorded a career-best 10 tackles. His previous best was nine vs. New Mexico earlier this season. Rembert also recorded his third interception of the season, returning it 17 yards in the third quarter to set up a touchdown to give Air Force a 35-17 lead.
- Sophomore TB Kyle Lumpkin scored the first rushing touchdown of his career, a four-yard run in the first quarter to tie the score at seven.
- Sophomore FB Jared Tew recorded career highs in carries with 10 and yards with 50. His previous best for carries was four vs. Houston and yards was 23 vs. San Diego State.
n Senior WR-Z Ty Paffett recorded a career-long 53 yard reception. His previous best was 21 yards at Army.
Air Force in November
Air Force improved to 2-0 this season and 5-0 under head coach Troy Calhoun in the month of November. The Falcons were 3-0 last season in November which is the best record since 2002 when the Falcons were 2-1. The three wins are the most since 2000 when Air Force was 3-0 in November. The three wins are more than the previous two years combined when Air Force went 1-1 in 2005 and 1-3 in 2006. Air Force was 1-0 last season in conference games in November, defeating San Diego State at home. Air Force is 90-84-3 all-time in the November. The team is 45-33-1 at home, 44-49-2 on the road and 1-2 in nuetral site games. Air Force is 26-24 in November conference games, including a 13-8 mark at home and 13-16 road record.
Playing best when it matters most
Air Force improved to 4-0 this season and 9-1 under head coach Troy Calhoun in games during the second half of the season (last six games). Prior to Calhoun's arrival in 2007, the Falcons were 12-24 over the last six games of the season since 2001. The Falcons went 5-1 last season which is the best mark since the 1998 team was 6-0.
Final 6 Regular Season GamesYear Mark2008 4-02007 5-1Total 9-1
2006 1-52005 2-42004 3-32003 2-42002 2-42001 2-4Total 12-24 (Entering 2007)
Did you know.....
- Air Force's 17 wins (with at least two games remaining this season) since 2007 are the best in back-to-back season since 1998-99 when it combined for 18 (12-1 in 1998, 6-5 in 1999).
- Air Force has posted 11 MWC wins in back-to-back seasons which is a school record. The previous mark was eight in 2000 (5-2) and 2001 (3-4). Air Force is 5-1 this season after finishing 6-2 last year, marking the first time in school history the team has won four or more MWC games in back-to-back seasons.
- Air Force is currently tied for third place in the conference with a 5-1 record. The Falcons were picked sixth in the preseason which is a +3 improvement which is the best improvement in the conference. The Falcons improved a conference-best five spots last season, finishing second after being picked seventh.
- Head coach Troy Calhoun has led Air Force to 17 wins in his one-plus seasons at Air Force. The 17 wins (with at least two games remaining) is the fourth-best of any service academy head coach in his first two years. Fisher DeBerry, who took over Air Force in 1984, has the best mark with 20 wins. Air Force was 12-1 in 1985 and 8-4 in 1984. The Falcons were a combined 18-7 in 1982-83 prior to his taking over.
Most wins at a service academy in first two yearsName, School Years WinsFisher DeBerry, AF 1984-85 20Troy Calhoun, AF 2007-08 17Ralph Sasse, Army 1930-31 17Charles Daly, Army 1913-14 17Paul Dashiell, Navy 1904-05 17Tom Cahill, Army 1966-67 16Biff Jones, Army 1926-27 16
- Air Force's 8-2 mark is the best 10-game record at Air Force since the 1998 team opened 9-1 en route to a 12-1 season.
- Air Force has won five straight games which is the longest winning streak since the 2003 team opened 5-0. The five-game streak is the best in the second half of the season since 1998 when the team won nine straight.
- Air Force has won four straight MWC games which is a school record.
- Air Force improved to 9-2 in Falcon Stadium under head coach Troy Calhoun.
One of America's top coaches
Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun is quickly becoming one of America's top coaches. He is 17-6 overall and 11-3 in conference play in his second year at the helm at the Academy. Calhoun is fourth in Mountain West Conference history in career winning percentage in conference games with a .786 mark (11-3).
Calhoun's 17 wins in one-plus season is the second-most ever for a service academy head coach in his first two seasons. He has led the Falcons to a tie for third place in the MWC this season after being picked sixth in the preseason polls. The three place improvement is the best in the conference and marks the second straight season Calhoun has led Air Force to the highest improvement from the presason poll. Air Force finished second after being picked seventh last season.
In his first year at Air Force, the 1989 Academy graduate led the Falcons to the most wins ever by a first-year head coach, along with the nine wins by Ben Martin in 1958. Calhoun led the team to six conference wins which is the most ever by a first-year head coach, breaking the mark of four set by Fisher DeBerry in 1984.
Calhoun began his coaching career at the Academy, then after serving his military committment, was an assistant at Ohio University, later becoming the offensive coordinator. He was the offensive coordinator at Wake Forest before joining the National Football League with the Denver Broncos from 2003-05. He was the offensive coorinator for the Houston Texans in 2006 before returning to his alma mater last season as the sixth head coach in school history.
Calhoun was named the AFCA Region 5 Coach of the Year for 2007. Calhoun, who was also named the Mountain West Conference coach of the year, joined five other coaches to win the honor.
Winningest MWC Coaches
# Name, School Tenure Record Pct.1. Urban Meyer, Utah 2003-05 13-1 .9292. Bronco Mendenhall, BYU 2005- 25-4 .8623. Gary Patterson, TCU 2005- 24-7 .7744. Troy Calhoun, Air Force 2007- 11-3 .769
Young team in 2008
Air Force features one of its youngest teams in history in 2008. The Falcons lost 15 starters from the 2007 squad that finished 9-4 overall and placed second in the Mountain West Conference with a 6-2 mark. The team lost eight starters on offense, including four-year starting quarterback Shaun Carney and all-purpose back Chad Hall, the conference offensive player of the year. Defensively, the Falcons lost six starters, including first-team all-conference linebackers John Rabold (2007) and Drew Fowler (2006) as well as first-team all-MWC cornerback Carson Bird, the conference's leader in interceptions last year. The Falcons also lost deep snapper Tony Norman.
In terms of games played and started, the Falcons lost 14 players with 30 career games played, plus four more with 25 career games played. In addition, Air Force only has 17 seniors on its roster this season which ranks as the 19th fewest in the nation.
Percentage of offense / defense lost to graduationCategory Lost Pct Lost NotesPassing yards 1,491 95.7 Top passer lostRushing yards 3,482 89.4 Top six rushers lostReceiving 952 61.1 Top two receivers lostPunt returns 176 100.0 Top punt returner lostScoring 210 54.0 Three of top four scoreres lostAll-purpose yards 5,254 79.8 Top four lostTotal offense 4,974 91.2 Top six lostInterceptions 14 ints 93.3 Top three and seven of top eight lostTackles 534 53.2 Team leader, four of top five lost
2008 Notes
- Five of Air Force top six rushers this season are freshmen or sophomores.
- Air Force's leading passer is freshman Tim Jefferson.
- Air Force's leading receiver is junior Josh Cousins, who entered the year with no career catches. The second-leading receiver is sophomore Kevin Fogler, who is in his first season of varsity action.
- The team's top three punt returners are sophomore Reggie Rembert and freshmen Anthony Wright and Jonathan Warzeka.
- Air Force's leading tackler is sophomore Ken Lamendola.
- Sophomore CB Reggie Rembert is second on the team in tackles for loss.
Air Force 14th nationally in terms of freshmen playing
The Falcons are the youngest team in the Mountain West Conference and 14th youngest nationally in terms of freshmen playing. The freshmen that have played for Air Force this season follow: 5 - Anthony Wright (CB), 7 - Tim Jefferson (QB), 11 - Jaquon Robinson (WR), 15 - Jonathan Warzeka (WR), 16 - Jon Davis (SS), 17 - Asher Clark (TB/QB), 33 - P.J. Adeji-Paul (CB), 73 - A.J. Wallerstein (OT), 84 - Daniel Pickett (TE), 99 - Erik Soderberg (PK). Wright, Jefferson, Davis, Clark and Wallerstein appear in the Air Force two-deep chart weekly.
True Freshmen Who Have PlayedFlorida State 22Miami (Fla.) 21Arkansas 16Alabama 15SMU 15Minnesota 14Georgia 12Tulane 12UAB 11Central Michigan 11Rice 11Iowa State 11UCLA 11Air Force 10Arizona State 10Florida 10North Texas 10San Jose State 10
Air Force defense solid
Air Force's defense has been solid this season. Air Force ranks third in the conference and 17th nationally in scoring defense with a 17.3 average. The Falcons lead the MWC and rank 10th nationally in passing defense with a 167.2 average. The team is third in the conference and 25th nationally in total defense with a 304.0 average.
Over the last five weeks, Air Force has allowed just 14.4 points and 263.2 yards per game. The Falcons have allowed 10 points or less in three of the five games, including just seven at Army. Air Force allowed 10 at San Diego State and 10 at home vs. New Mexico. The team allowed 17 vs. Colorado State, but shut the Rams out in the second half.
Defensive season highlights
- The Falcons allowed just 10 points in the first two games this season which is the best effort in back-to-back games since allowing 10 points at Army (W, 35-7) and at Wyoming (W, 10-3) in 1998. The 10 points allowed in the opening two games of a season is the second-best in school history and best since the 1963 team allowed just seven in a 10-7 win vs. Washington and a 69-0 victory vs. Colorado State.
- The Falcons held Southern Utah to just 130 total yards, including just seven yards on the ground. Southern Utah managed just eight first downs, was just 2-12 on third-down conversions and never reached the red zone. Southern Utah avoided the shutout late in the third-quarter with an 80-yard touchdown drive. Outside of that one drive, the Thunderbirds managed just 50 total yards and they never got deeper in Air Force territory than the 42 yard line.
- The 130-yard effort by the defense vs. Southern Utah is the fifth-best single-game effort in school history and best since holding Army to just 100 yards in 1999. The seven yards rushing is the 14th-best single-game effort in Air Force history. Air Force held Southern Utah to just 0.3 yards per rush which is the 10th-best single-game effort in school history.
- Air Force scored its first defensive touchdown of the season when senior DE Jake Paulson returned a fumble 25 yards for a touchdown vs. Utah. The score is the first by an Air Force defensive lineman since Bryce Fisher vs. Oregon in the 1997 Las Vegas Bowl.
- The Falcons added a second defensive score when junior ILB Justin Moore returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown vs. San Diego State.
- Air Force held Navy, who entered the game second nationally in rushing with a 335.0 per-game average, to a season low 206 yards.
- Air Force has held five opponents (Southern Utah, 130; Wyoming, 216; Navy, 244; San Diego State, 165; Army 250) under 300 yards of total offense.
- Air Force held New Mexico to just 154 yards in the final three quarters of the game.
- Senior Aaron Kirchoff returned a fumble 96 yards for a game-changing touchdown vs. New Mexico. The 96-yard return is the second-longest in AFA history.
- The Falcons allowed just 165 total yards and just 2.5 yards per play vs. San Diego State. SDSU was held to just 13 yards on 28 plays in the second half.
- Air Force allowed just seven points at Army. After allowing a touchdown on the opening drive, Army was held scoreless the remaining 58:42 of the game and only allowed Army inside AF territory four times with the deepest penetration being the 36.
- Air Force shutout Colorado State in the second half and held the Rams to just 120 yards after halftime.
More on the defense
Air Force has allowed just five scores on the opeing drive of the first or second half this season. Utah scored the first to open the second half, scoring a touchdown. Navy added a field goal to open the game and a touchdown following an AF fumble on its own 10 to open the second half. Army and Colorado State scored touchdowns on the opening drive of the game.
The Air Force offense has had 13 turnovers this season and the defense has allowed just 23 points as a result. On the 11 drives (one turnover vs. Utah ended the game while one at Army ended the half) combined, the defense has allowed just 118 yards on 41 plays which is an average of 2.9 yards per play.
Opponent opening drivesGame 1st Half 2nd HalfSouthern Utah Punt (3-6-1:15) Punt (3-9-:47)Wyoming Punt (3-5-:59) Fumble (1-3-:07)Houston Punt (4-26-2:40) Punt (9-38-3:02) -- two first downsUtah Down (5-12-2:38) Touchdown (8-69-3:53)Navy FG (13-62-7:13) Touchdown (3-10-1:14)San Diego State Punt (4-(-3)-1:50) Punt (6-10-2:29)UNLV Punt (8-43-3:55) MFG (11-49-4:00)New Mexico Downs (9-71-3:57) Downs (12-62-5:13)Army TD (3-60-1:18) Punt (12-37-5:45)Colorado State TD (8-62-3:46) INT (9-61-3:58)Total 60 plays; 344 yds 74 plays; 348 yds
Air Force defense following a turnoverOpponent Turnover Spot ResultSouthern Utah fumble AF 42 Punt (3-1-:57) fumble Opp 20 Punt (7-21-3:52)Wyoming Interception AF 31 FG (4-1-1:29)Utah Interception AF 44 Fumble (3-1-:53) Interception AF 39 End of gameNavy Fumble AF 10 TD (3-10-1:14) Fumble AF 18 FG (4-3-1:56)San Diego State Fumble AF 32 MFG (5-15-:11) Fumble Opp 20 Punt (3-7-1:27)New Mexico Fumble AF 11 TD (4-11-1:28) Interception AF 44 FG (7-16-2:51) Fumble Opp 49 Fumble (3-47-1:09)Totals 41 plays; 118 yards
Air Force moves up to fourth nationally
- Air Force has scored in 191 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 of teams in the Mountain West Conference and the fourth longest in the country.
# School Streak Last Shutout1. Michigan 298 Oct. 20, 1984 at Iowa (0-26)2. Florida 252 Oct. 29, 1988 vs. Auburn (0-16)3. TCU (MWC) 201 Nov. 16, 1991 at Texas (0-32)4. Air Force (MWC) 191 #--Dec. 31, 1992 vs. Mississippi (0-13), #--Liberty Bowl)
- Air Force's 191-game scoring streak is the 16th longest in Division I-A college history
- of the top 16 all-time, nine were started in the 1980s while the other five began in the 1970s.
- Here's that list:
# School Streak Dates Ended By1. Brigham Young 361 9/27/1975 - 11/15/2003 Utah2. Michigan 298 10/27/1984 - present ..................3. Texas 281 11/29/1980 - 10/02/2004 Oklahoma4. Washington State 280 10/22/1984 - present USC5. Washington 272 11/14/1981 - 10/16/2004 USC6. Oregon 267 10/05/1985 - 11/15/2007 UCLA7. Florida 252 11/05/1988 - present ..................8. UCLA 245 10/02/1971 - 10/17/1992 Arizona State9. Colorado 242 11/19/1988 - 10/25/2008 Missouri10. Nebraska 233 1/01/1974 - 11/29/1991 Miami, Fla.11. Florida State 232 9/10/1988 - 11/11/2006 Wake Forest12. Hawaii 219 12/04/1976 - 11/04/1995 Colorado State13. Arizona 214 9/09/1972 - 12/15/1990 Syracuse14. TCU 201 11/23/1991 - present ..................15. Virginia 195 9/15/1984 - 10/28/2000 Georgia Tech16. Air Force 191 8/04/1993 - present .......................
Air Force conference/national rushing numbers
- Air Force leads the conference and ranks fourth nationally in rushing with a 275.4 average.
- Air Force has won 24 conference rushing titles since joining conference play in 1980.
- In 2002, the Falcons won the school's first national rushing title with a 307.8 per-game average.
- The Falcons won their 10th straight conference title in 2007 with a 299.5 average.
Year Stats Conf. National1980 170.7 5th 79th1981 185.1 4th 53rd1982 301.7 1st 4th1983 246.5 1st 2nd1984 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 229.4 1st 3rd2007 299.5 1st 2nd2008 275.4 1st 4th
2008 National rushing leaders
# Team G Avg.1. Nevada 9 324.112. Navy 9 308.003. La.-Lafayette 9 289.894. Air Force 10 275.405. Oregon 10 274.30
Offensive quarter scoring streak hits 18
Air Force has scored in 18 straight quarters dating back to the third quarter at San Diego State five games ago. The team has scored in 25 of the last 26 quarters overall. Air Force's 14 points in the first quarter vs. Colorado State marks the teams highest scoring first quarter this season. The 14 points is tied as the second most this season, trailing the 16 points in the second quarter vs. Utah.
Rushing for 100 is the key
Air Force is nearly unbeatable when it has had a 100-yard rusher under head coach Troy Calhoun. The Falcons are 3-0 this season and 12-1 in games when they have a player rush for 100 or more yards. The team's only loss came in the 2007 Armed Forces Bowl vs. California. Air Force has had multiple players rush for 100 yards or more twice during the last two years. The list of 100-yard rushers for each game follows below:
Year Game Player Yards Result2007 South Carolina St. Kip McCarthy 129 W 34-3 Utah Shaun Carney 113 W 20-12 TCU Jim Ollis 138 W 20-17 OT UNLV Chad Hall 169 W 31-14 Colorado State Chad Hall 256 W 45-21 Wyoming Chad Hall 167 W 20-12 Army Chad Hall 275 W 30-10 Notre Dame Chad Hall 142 W 41-24 San Diego State Jim Ollis 163 W 55-23 Chad Hall 151 Ty Paffett 105 California Shaun Carney 108 L 36-42 Jim Ollis 1012008 San Diego State Asher Clark 109 W 35-10 UNLV Todd Newell 134 W 29-28 Colorado State Asher Clark 136 W 38-17
Quarterback sacks - AF among national leaders
Air Force is among the national leaders in quarterback sacks, both offensively and defensively. The Falcons have forced 26 quarterback sacks for 167 yards which is an average of 2.60 per game. Air Force ranks second in the in the conference and 23rd nationally. Senior defensive end Jake Paulson has recorded 8.5 sacks and ranks second in the conference with a .85 per-game average.
Offensively, the Falcons have allowed just two quarterback sacks, one vs. UNLV and one vs. New Mexico. The Falcons lead the conference and nation in fewest sacks allowed.
Following the same script as 2007
Air Force finds itself in a similar position this season as in 2007. Air Force opened up 3-0 in 2007 before dropping back-to-back games, the second coming to Navy. The Falcons bounced back to win six of the next seven games to close the regular season with a 9-3 overall mark and a 6-2 MWC record to finish second. Air Force averaged just 20.0 points and 377.8 total yards per game, including 225.8 rushing during the first five gams. The Falcons averaged 36.1 points, 448.3 total yards and 350.4 rushing yards per game over the last seven games. WR-Z Chad Hall also exploded, averaging 179.6 yards rushing per game during the span.
Air Force opened 3-0 this season before back-to-back losses, the second coming to Navy, left the team with an identical 3-2 record. Air Force has bounced back with five straight wins and to improve to 8-2 overall and 5-1 in the conference. Air Force's offense has held steady and had a breakout game vs. Colorado State. The Falcons rolled up 455 total yards, including 284 rushing and 171 passing.
The Falcons have averaged 367.6 yards of total offense, including 280.1 yards rushing. The team has also had some outstanding individual efforts. Freshman Asher Clark rushed for a then-career-best 109 yards and a touchdown in his first-career start at San Diego State. Fellow freshman Tim Jefferson, making just his second-career start, rushed for a career-high 99 yards and hit six of seven passes for 162 yards and the first two TD passes of his career at UNLV. Senior fullback Todd Newell chipped in with a career-best 134 yards rushing vs. the Rebels. Clark and Jefferson both had career days vs. Colorado State. Clark rushed for 136 yards and two touchdowns while Jefferson hit six of eight passes for 171 yards and two scores. After not having a 100-yard rushing in the first five games, the team has had three in the last five games.
2007 2008Category First 5 / Last 7 First 5 / SinceScoring 20.0 / 36.1 29.0 / 28.2Total Offense 377.8 / 448.3 353.2 / 367.6Rushing 225.8 / 350.4 270.8 / 280.1
Air Force takes it away - team second in the nation in fumble recoveries
Air Force has picked up where it left off last season, collecting a +12 turnover margin this season. The Falcons have had multiple takeaways in every game this season, except at UNLV. The team's 1.20 per-game turnover margin average leads the conference and ranks seventh nationally. Air Force has forced 25 turnovers this season, including 15 fumbles and 10 interceptions. The Falcons have recovered 15 of the opponent's 20 fumbles this season. Air Force is second in the nation in fumble recoveries with 15.
2008 Turnovers: (Southern Utah, 2; Wyoming, 5; Houston, 2; Utah, 3; Navy, 2; San Diego State, 2; UNLV, 0; New Mexico, 4; Army, 3; Colorado State, 2).
The Air Force defense had 28 takeaways last season which ranked second in the Mountain West Conference behind only Utah (33). The Falcons scored 120 points off those turnovers. The team's +10 turnover margin ranked second in the MWC and 15th in the nation. The Falcons forced 15 interceptions and 13 fumble recoveries. Over the last two seasons, Air Force has a combined +20 mark under head coach Troy Calhoun.
Air Force takeaways and +/- in last 10 years
Year Takeaways(Int./Fum.) +/- W/L2008 16 (5/11) +12 8-22007 28 (15/13) +10 9-42006 22 (9/13) +8 4-82005 17 (9/8) -7 4-72004 17 (9/8) +1 5-72003 23 (13/10) +6 7-52002 26 (12/14) +9 8-52001 28 (14/14) +8 6-62000 19 (7/12) +7 9-31999 14 (8/6) -4 6-51998 30 (17/13) +17 12-1
Air Force 5-0 away from home this season
Air Force defeated Army, 16-7, in West Point, N.Y., to improve to 5-0 this season away from Falcon Stadium. The Falcons have also defeated Wyoming, San Diego State and UNLV on the road and Houston in a neutral site game. The five wins away from home are the most in Air Force history since the 1998 team won six times on the road or in neutral site games. In 1998, the Falcons won four away games and two neutral site games.
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 supremacy. 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 2008 season marks the 37th year of trophy competition. Navy defeated Air Force, 33-27, in Falcons Stadium in the opening game of this year's series. Air Force defeated Arny, 16-7, in West Point, N.Y., to finish 1-1. Air Force has a 48-26-0 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 48-26-0 .649Navy 36-36-1 .500Army 25-48-1 .345
Air Force outright CIC title years:
`82, `83, `85, `87, `89, `90, `91, `92, `94, `95, `97, `98, `99, `00, `01, `02
Dekker stands out on and off the field
Senior TE Travis Dekker returned to action vs. Navy after missing the first four games of the season with a broken ankle. Dekker's impact was felt immediately, as he tied for the team lead in receptions with three for 32 yards. His return also sparked a season high 184 yards passing for Air Force. Dekker added a career-long catch of 59 yards vs. UNLV and made a highlight film leap over a defender attempting to make the tackle. He added his first touchdown of the season with a one-yard catch vs. New Mexico. Dekker added a four-yard TD catch vs. Colorado State. Dekker finished third on the team last seasonwith 25 catches for 382 yards. His 25 receptions were the most by a Falcon tight end since Trent Van Hulzen had 26 in 1989.
Dekker, who has been accepted into the Georgetown Medical School, has been a standout off the field as well. A quick hit of some of the awards he's won and been nominated for follow:
- One of 71 nominees for the 71st annual Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team. The Good Works Team recognizes this group of committed and hard-working players for their off-the-field achievements.
- One of 164 semifinalists for the 2008 Draddy Trophy, presented by HealthSouth, and the candidates for the 2008 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards. Established to honor former NFF Chairman Vincent dePaul Draddy, a Manhattan College quarterback who developed the Izod and Lacoste brands, the award comes with a 25-pound bronze trophy and a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship.
- One of 30 Division I football players chosen as a candidate for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. This is the inaugural year that the award will be presented in football. The Lowe's Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages those leaders to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact on their circle of influence. This prestigious awards program was launched during the 2001-02 basketball season, added six additional sports in 2007, and has now expanded this year to include NCAA football.
Two-way Reggie
Sophomore Reggie Rembert is a busy man during games. Rembert is a starter at cornerback on the defense and is a backup at WR-Z on offense. In addition, Rembert is on the punt and kickoff return teams. He ranks third in the MWC in punt returns this season with a 13.6 average and is 10th in kickoff returns with a 20.0 norm. Rembert has five carries for 30 yards on offense and is averaging 6.0 yards per carry.
Defensively, he is fourth on the team in total tackles with 48. Rembert ranks second on the team in tackles for loss with 6.5 for 23 yards. He also has two quarterback sacks for 14 yards and has forced one fumble and recovered another. Rembert leads the team with three interceptions.
Rembert is the first Falcon to play both offense and defense in a game at the Academy since Chris Evans, who played both tight end and defensive end due to injuries against Army in 2006. Evans did not have any statistics and played both only that week. LeRon Hudgins is the last player to play both ways significantly as a safety and running back in 1995. Hudgins was listed as a starter on defense and played most of the season as a backup halfback in the option offense.
In 1967, Carl Janssen was the first Falcon to start on both sides of the ball and on special teams. As the starting wide receiver and three-year player at that position, he led the team with 18 catches for 259 yards and a TD in 1967 and had one carry for two yards. He also started at defensive back. He was third on the team with two interceptions and also had a fumble recovery. Janssen led the team with 23 punt returns for 233 yards, a 10.1 average. He also returned one kickoff for 30 yards.
Rembert highlights
- Had 102 all-purpose yards for a 20.2 average per touch vs. Southern Utah ... also had three tackles.
- Rushed four times for nine yards at Wyoming while returning one punt four yards and one kickoff return 22 yards. He also had four solo tackles and, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble.
- Six solo tackles and the first two tackles for loss of his career vs. Houston ... also recorded his career-long punt return of 53 yards to set up an Air Force touchdown ... the return ranks as the 11th longest in school history and longest since Matt Farmer went 55 yards vs. New Mexico in 1998 - Seven tackles and the first quarterback sack and interterception of his career vs. Utah.
- Collected a career-best 103 return yards vs. Navy, 94 on five kickoff returns. - Recorded season bests of four punt returns for 57 yards at Army ... had a 35-yard return that set up Air Force's go-ahead touchdown ... recorded two turnovers at Army with a fumble recovery and an interception.
- Career-best 10 total tackles vs. Colorado State ... had a half tackle for loss and an interception which he returned 17 yards to set up a score ... had 117 all-purpose yards ... two punt returns for 40 yards and two kickoff returns for 60 yards.
Paulson among the national leaders
Senior defensive end Jake Paulson is having an outstanding season. Paulson has 8.5 quarterback sacks and ranks second in the conference and 15th nationally with a .85 per-game average. Paulson ranks third in the conference and 20th nationally in tackles for loss with 14.0 for 67 yards which is a 1.40 per-game average.
Paulson had four tackles, two sacks, a tackle for loss and a safety in the opening game against Southern Utah. He added 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble at Wyoming.
Paulson had a career-best seven tackles against Houston, including 2.5 sacks for 19 yards and a pass deflection. He added three tackles and a sack vs. Utah and scored the first touchdown of his career on a 25-yard fumble recovery. The TD is the first defensive score this season and first touchdown by a defensive lineman since Bryce Fisher vs. Oregon in the 1997 Las Vegas Bowl. Paulson matched his career-best with seven tackles against Navy and had one tackle for loss and a fumble recovery for 10 yards.
Paulson's top games
Opponent StatisticsSouthern Utah 4-0-4, 2.0 sacks, 1 TFL, safetyWyoming 2-1-3, 1.5 sacks, forced fumbleHouston 6-1-7, 2.5 sacks, pass deflectionUtah 2-1-3, 1.0 sack, 25-yard fumble return for a TDNavy 3-4-7, 1.0 TFL, fumble recovery for 10 yardsSan Diego State 2-3-5, 1.5 sacks, .5 TFL, pass deflectionArmy 4-3-7, 2.5 tackles for loss, pass breakup that led to an interception
Halderman hauls it
Sophomore Kyle Halderman is one of the big-play men for the Falcons. Halderman is fourth on the team in rushing with 311 yards and is averaging 9.7 yards per carry. He rushed for 87 yards on six carries in the season opening win over Southern Utah and scored on a 48-yard dash. Halderman led the Falcons with 85 yards on three carries at Wyoming and broke open the game in the third quarter with a 74-yard run to set up a touchdown to give Air Force a 13-3 lead. The 74-yard run is the longest by a Falcon since Blane Morgan went 80 yards vs. New Mexico in 1998. Halderman rushed for 66 yards on 11 carries against Houston.
Halderman has had several big plays in the passing game as well. He recorded his first-career catch which was good for a 19-yard touchdown vs. Navy. Halderman finished the day tied for the team lead in receptions with three for a team-best 62 yards and his first-career touchdown receiving. He also added 32 yards rushing on four carries vs. the Midshipmen. Halderman rushed once for 14 yards at UNLV and haulded in a 44-yard touchdown pass. He had two catches for a career-best 99 yards to lead Air Force vs. Colorado State. Halderman hauled in a 74-yard touchdown pass which is the longest play for the Falcons this season.
He has caught eight passes for 239 yards and a team-best three touchdowns. Halderman is second on the team in all-purpose yards with 579 which is a 57.9 per-game average.
Harrison a semifinalist for Lou Groza Award
Air Force senior kicker Ryan Harrison has been named a semifinalist for the 2008 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award as announced by the Palm Beach County (Florida) Sports Commission. Harrison is one of 20 semifinalists for the 17th annual award.
Harrison is one of three MWC kickers named as semifinalist as Utah's Louie Sakoda and TCU's Ross Evans were also selected. Other semifinalists are Arkansas State's Josh Sarauco, Arizona's Jason Bondzio, Miami's Matt Bosher, Florida State's Graham Gano, Troy's Sam Glusman, Navy's Matt Harmon, Penn State's Kevin Kelly, Virginia Tech's Dustin Keys, UTEP's Jose Martinez, West Virginia's Pat McAfee, Florida's Jonathan Phillips, Cincinnati's Jake Rogers, Syracuse's Patrick Shadle, Mississippi's Joshua Shene, Alabama's Leigh Tiffin, Wisconsin's Phillip Welch and Missouri's Jeff Wolfert.
Semi-Finalists will be voted on by a panel consisting of all Division 1 coaches and SID's, along with national, regional and local football writers and others who will select the three finalists. These finalists will be invited to the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Awards Banquet December 7-9 in West Palm Beach, Fla. The winner will be announced live on the nationally-televised Home Deport ESPNU College Football Awards Program on the evening of December 11, 2008.
Harrison sets school record for field goals
Senior do-everything kicker/punter Ryan Harrison ranks first in the conference and third nationally in field goals, averaging 2.00 per game. Harrison set a new single-season Air Force record with his 20th field goal, a 27-yarder vs. Colorado State. He broke the record of 19 he tied last season, matching David Adams (2000) and Dave Lawson (1974).
Harrison has hit 20 of 22 field goals this season and his .909 percentage is the second best in school history and best since Jackson Whiting set the school record of 1.000 (12-12) in 1999. Harrison is perfect in 30 extra point attempts to tie for the national lead. He is averaging 9.0 points per game which ranks second in the conference and 18th in the nation.
Harrison has tied a career high with three field goals five times this season and seven times in his career. He was named the MWC special teams player of the week vs. UNLV and New Mexico this season and has won the award three times in his career.
He hit his first field goal at Houston to extend his consecutive streak of field goals to 16 before missing from 41 yards. Harrison's current streak is at 10 straight and he has hit 30 of his last 32 attempts (.938 percentage) dating back to the Wyoming game last season.
Harrison is tied for third in Air Force history in career field goals with 39 which is the most since Joe Wood hit 39 from 1989-91. Harrison has hit 39 of 49 careeer attempts and his .796 percentage is tied for second all-time at Air Force.
Harrison career numbers
Season FG Punting PATs Kickoffs2008 20-22 (.909) 31-39.4 30-30 (1.000) 60 total -22 TBs2007 19-27 (.704) 46-42.9 44-46 (.957) 77 total -32 TBsTotals 39-49 (.796) 77-41.5 74-76 (.974) 137 total - 54 TBs
Career Field Goal PercentageName, Years Pct1. Jackson Whiting, 1998-99 .826 (19-23)2. Ryan Harrison, 2007-08 .796 (39-49) Joe Wood, 1989-91 .796 (39-49)4. David Adams, 1998-00 .764 (26-34)5. Carlos Mateos, 1984 .750 (12-16)6. Joe Ashcroft, 2001-03 .744 (29-39)
Single-Season Field Goal Percentage# Name, Year Pct.1. Jackson Whiting, 1999 1.000 (12-12)2. Ryan Harrison, 2008 .909 (20-22) Joey Ashcroft, 2002 .888 (16-18)4. Joe Wood, 1990 .857 (12-14)5. Sean Pavlich, 1982 .833 (15-18)
2008 NCAA field goal leaders# Name, School Yr. Gm FG-A Pct. FG/Gm1. Graham Gano, Florida State Sr. 7 17-18 .944 2.432. Dustin Keys, Virginia Tech Sr. 9 19-22 .864 2.113. Ryan Harrison, Air Force Sr. 10 20-22 .909 2.004. Conor Lee, Pittsburgh Sr. 9 18-20 .900 2.005. Louis Sakoda, Utah Sr. 10 19-21 .905 1.90
Career Field Goals# Name, Years FGs1. Dave Lawson, 1972-75 512. Sean Pavlich, 1980-83 423. Ryan Harrison, 2007-08 39 Joe Wood, 1989-91 39
Clark taking over the load at tailback, has career day vs. Colorado State
The tailback position is the youngest on the team. A freshman and two sophomores make up the depth chart. Sophomores Kyle Lumpkin and Savier Stephens opened the season as a one-two punch before rookie Asher Clark stepped in the last five games as the starter to solidify the position.
Clark has rushed for 417 yards on 86 carries and scored three touchdowns in his five starts -- all Air Force wins. He is averaging 83.4 yards per game and has led the team in rushing in three of the five games. Overall, Clark is second on the team and sixth in the conference in rushing with 440 yards which is a 55.0 per-game average.
He rushed for a then-career-best 109 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries at San Diego State in his first-career start. His 100-yard effort was the first by a Falcon this season and most by an Air Force freshman since Qualario Brown had 158 vs. San Jose State in 1997. Clark had the best game of his career vs. Colorado State with a career-best 136 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. He scored on runs of 41 and 45 yards to become the first Falcon with two 40-plus TD runs in a game since Dee Dowis vs. San Diego State in 1989. Clark is the first freshman in Air Force history with two 100-yard rushing games in a season.
Clark as a starter
Game # Yds TDs NotesSan Diego State 15 109 1 Most yards by an AF freshman since 1997UNLV 20 65 0 A then-career-high 20 carriesNew Mexico 23 86 0 Team-high 86 yards on career-best 23 carriesArmy 12 21 0Colorado State 16 136 2 First player with two 40-plus TD runs since 1989Totals 86 417 3Averages 17.2 83.4
Newell running wild
Senior fullback Todd Newell is taking full advantage of his opportunity to be a starter for the first time in his career. Newell leads the team and is 10th in the conference in rushing with 469 yards and three touchdowns. Over the last six games, Newell has averaged 71.3 yards rushing per game which is tops on the team.
Newell recorded career highs in rushing attempts and yards in three straight games. The streak started with a 50-yard effort on 15 carries vs. Navy. He added 77 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries at San Diego State. Newell went wild at UNLV, rushing for 134 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. His touchdown came on a career-long 52-yard run. His 134 yards rushing are the most by a Falcon this season and he became the first fullback to top the 100-yard mark since Jacobe Kendrick in 2005. The 134 yards are the most by a fullback since Nate Beard had 149 vs. Colorado State in 2000.
Smith solid in any role
Senior quarterback Shea Smith has been solid this season. Smith started the first five games of the season before giving way to freshman Tim Jefferson. Smith has rushed for 229 yards and leads the team with six rushing touchdowns. He has hit 28 of 50 passes for 394 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions. He has a 136.59 quarterback efficiency rating. Smith rushed for a career-high 93 yards and a career-best three touchdowns vs. Houston. He threw for a career-best 138 yards and a touchdown on seven of 13 passing vs. Utah. Smith threw for 128 yards and a score on eight of 12 passes vs. Navy before leaving the game due to illness. Smith rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown vs. Southern Utah in his first-career start. He is the first Falcon quarterback to win his first three career starts since Chance Harridge in 2002. Smith has been comfortable in the backup role as well. He stepped in and helped Air Force at San Diego State, throwing a 28-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter in relief of an injured Jefferson.
Together again
The Air Force trio of juniors Chris Thomas (safety) and Justin Moore (ILB) and sophomore Will Keuchler (OLB) have reunited at the Academy. The trio of classmates was first together in Westerville, Ohio, at St. Francis DeSales High School where they helped the football team to a state championship game appearance. They are together again this season. Keuchler, who attended the Academy's Prep School, is a back at outside linebacker, while Thomas enters his second season as a starter at safety. Moore is listed as a backup inside linebacker. They were coached by Bob Jacoby in high school.
Jefferson establishing himself at QB, improves to 5-0 as starter
Freshman quarterback Tim Jefferson became just the fourth freshman starting quarterback in school history when he moved into the starting lineup at San Diego State. Jefferson joined Dave Ziebart (1976), Dee Dowis (1986) and Shaun Carney (2004) as rookie starters.
Jefferson was solid in his first start, rushing for a then-career-best 55 yards and his first-career touchdown on 12 carries. He also hit three of five passes for 34 yards.
The Atlanta, Ga., product exploded in his second-career start at UNLV, rushing for a career-best 99 yards on 13 carries and hitting six of seven passes for a then-career-high 162 yards. Jefferson also threw the first two touchdown passes of his career. He engineered the game-winning drive which led to a 19-yard field goal to win it for Air Force. Jefferson hit three-of-three passes for 31 yards and rushed four times for 11 yards on the 17-play, 91-yard drive. He also picked up two first downs, one by rushing and one on an 18-yard pass play. He was named MWC offensive player of the week for his efforts vs. the Rebels.
Jefferson had his career-best day passing vs. Colorado State with 171 yards and two touchdowns on six of eight passing. Jefferson hit Kyle Halderman for a 74-yard scoring strike which is the longest play for Air Force this season. He also threw a four-yarder to Travis Dekker.
Jefferson has rushed for 295 yards and two touchdowns and is averaging 4.0 yards per carry this season. He has also hit 23 of 39 passes for 456 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. He has a 189.24 quarterback efficiency rating which would lead the conference, but he lacks enough passing attempts to qualify. Jefferson is 5-0 at a starter and is the first Air Force quarterback to win his first five starts since Chance Harridge won his first six in 2002.
Lamendola rolling
Sophomore inside linebacker Ken Lamendola is having a solid season in his first year as a starter. Lamendola leads the Falcons and is third the conference in tackles with a 9.1 per-game average. He has recorded 91 total stops, including 33 unassisted. After recording just one tackle in his first-career start in the Southern Utah game, Lamendola chipped in with four straight games of 10 or more tackles. Lamendola had 11 tackles at Wyoming, then added 12 tackles vs. Houston and Utah and a career-best 14 vs. Navy. His four-game streak of double figure tackle games is the best since All-American Chris Gizzi set the school record with 12 in 1997. Lamendola added his fifth game with 10 or more tackles this season with a team-high 13 at Army. He added a team-best 10 tackles vs. Colorado State to give him six games with double figures in tackles which is tied for first in the conference.
Altman all right
Senior OLB Hunter Altman has been outstanding this season. He ranks second on the team in tackles with 69, including a team-best 45 unassisted. He is third on the team in tackles for loss with 6.0 and has an interception, four pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
Altman posted back-to-back games with career highs in tackles earlier this season with 12, including two tackles for loss, vs. Utah and 13 vs. Navy. Altman had eight solo stops vs. Navy which is also a career best. Altman led the team at UNLV with eight tackles, including seven unassisted. He added four tackles and a half quarterback sack vs. New Mexico and added eight tackles, including two tackles for loss for seven yards at Army. Altman had five tackles and a sack vs. Colorado State.
