Air Force Opens MWC Play at New Mexico
9/14/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 14, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format 
Air Force (1-1) at New Mexico (0-2)
Saturday, Sept. 19, 5:30 p.m. Mountain
University Stadium (40,094), Albuquerque, NM
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- This week is the Mountain West Conference opener for Air Force and New Mexico. This week is the second consecutive road game for Air Force and second in a span of three of four on the road. The Falcons play at Navy Oct. 3 after hosting San Diego State Sept. 26. This season marks the fourth straight year Air Force has opened conference play on the road.
- Air Force and New Mexico each lost last week. The Falcons were beaten, 20-13, at Minnesota while the Lobos dropped a 44-10 decision vs. Tulsa at home.
- Air Force has won four of the last five games vs. New Mexico, including last year's 23-10 win in Falcon Stadium.
THE COACHES
- Air Force: Troy Calhoun (Air Force, 1989) has an 18-10 record in his third season at Air Force. Calhoun is 11-5 vs. the Mountain West, 10-3 at home, 7-5 in road games, 1-2 in neutral site games, 7-5 in non-conference games and 1-1 vs. New Mexico.
- New Mexico: Mike Locksley (Towson, 1992) is in his first season at New Mexico, which is his first head coaching position. Locksley is 0-2 this season. He was the offensive coordinator at Illinois from 2006-08 before going to New Mexico.
THIS IS AIR FORCE FOOTBALL
- Air Force is playing its 54th season of varsity football. The Falcons played their first season of varsity football in 1956.
- Air Force has an all-time record of 321-270-13. The Falcons are 173-112-3 at home and 148-158-10 on the road and in neutral site games. AFA has played in 19 bowl games and has an 8-10-1 all-time record.
- This season marks the third under head coach Troy Calhoun, who is a 1989 graduate of the Air Force Academy. He is the sixth head coach in school history and first graduate to hold the position.
- Air Force is playing in its 30th year in a conference. This season marks the school's 11th year in the Mountain West Conference. Prior to 1999, Air Force was a member of the Western Athletic Conference from 1980-98. The school was an independent prior to 1980.
- Air Force is 37-37 as a member of the Mountain West Conference. The team is 22-15 at home and 15-22 on the road. The Falcons are 67-55 overall since joining the MWC in 1999, including marks of 38-23 at home, 25-28 on the road, 4-4 in neutral site games and 2-2 in bowls.
THE SERIES
Air Force and New Mexico meet for the 27th time overall and 21st time as conference foes.
The Falcons lead the overall series 16-10 and have a 12-8 edge in conference meetings. Air Force is 9-3 at home and 7-7 at New Mexico. Air Force has won four of the last five meetings, including last year's 23-10 win in Falcon Stadium. New Mexico won the last meeting in Albuquerque, 34-31, in 2007. The teams first played Nov. 23, 1957, in Colorado Springs. Air Force won the game, 31-0.
Year by Year1957 - AFA 31-0 (H)1958 - AFA 45-7 (A)1959 - UNM 28-27 (H)1961 - UNM 21-6 (A)1963 - AFA 30-8 (A)1973 - AFA 10-6 (H)1981 - UNM 27-10 (A)1982 - UNM 49-37 (H)1984 - AFA 23-9 (A)1985 - AFA 49-12 (A)1987 - AFA 73-23 (A)1988 - AFA 63-14 (H)1991 - UNM 34-32 (A)1992 - AFA 33-32 (H)1995 - AFA 27-24 (A)1998 - AFA 56-14 (H)1999 - UNM 33-28 (A)2000 - UNM 29-23 (H)2001 - UNM 52-33 (A)2002 - AFA 38-31 (H) OT2003 - UNM 24-12 (A)2004 - AFA 28-23 (H)2005 - AFA 42-24 (A)2006 - AFA 24-7 (H)2007 - UNM 34-31 (A)2008 - AFA 23-10 (H)Site () is for AFA
LAST YEAR
Air Force survived a shaky start to defeat New Mexico, 23-10, in a Thursday night game in Falcon Stadium. The Falcons turned the ball over three times in the first quarter (two fumbles and an interception) and New Mexico converted the first two into 10 points to take a 10-0 first quarter lead. New Mexico appeared to be headed in for another score on the third turnover before a fumble that safety Aaron Kirchoff returned 96 yards for a touchdown.
The touchdown cut the lead to 10-7 on the final play of the first quarter and changed the momentum of the game for good. The Falcons added another 16 unanswered points to secure the win.
Air Force had 228 yards of total offense, including 227 rushing. The Falcons were led by Asher Clark, who rushed for 86 yards on 23 carries. Jefferson added 64 yards on 22 carries while Todd Newell chipped in with 65 yards on 17 carries. The Air Force defense was led by Chris Thomas, who had 10 tackles. Kirchoff added four tackles, a pass breakup and a forced fumble.
New Mexico finished with 303 total yards, but gained just 154 yards after a 149-yard first-quarter effort. Ferguson led the Lobos with 107 yards rushing on 19 carries. Brad Gruner hit eight of 11 passes for 83 yards. The Lobos defense was led by Clint McPeek, who had a game-high 15 tackles.
CAREER STATISTICS VS. NEW MEXICO
Rushing (Att-Yds-TDs): Savier Stephens (1-6-0), Asher Clark (23-86-0), Tim Jefferson (22-64-0), Ryan Southworth (1-4-0).
Passing (C-A-Int-Yds-TD): Tim Jefferson (1-2-1-1-1).
Receiving (#-Yds-TD): None.
Tackles (UT-AT-TOT): Chris Thomas (8-11-19), Reggie Rembert (14-3-17), Ken Lamendola (0-8-8), Patrick Hennessey (5-4-9), Ben Garland (0-2-2), Anthony Wright (3-0-3), Rick Ricketts (2-0-2)
MWC OPENERS
Air Force is 9-1 all-time in Mountain West Conference openers dating back to 1999. The Falcons have won nine straight since falling to Wyoming, 10-7, in Falcon Stadium in 1999. Air Force is 4-1 at home and 5-0 on the road. This season marks the second time Air Force has opened the MWC season vs. New Mexico. The last time was 2002, a 38-31 overtime win by Air Force in Falcon Stadium.
Air Force is 21-8 overall in conference openers since 1980. The Falcons are 11-4 at home and 10-4 on the road. Air Force has won 13 of its last 14 conference openers.
AIR FORCE'S MWC OPENERSYear Opponent Result2007 at Utah W 20-122006 at Wyoming W 31-242005 San Diego St. W 41-292004 at UNLV W 27-102003 Wyoming W 35-292002 New Mexico W 38-31 OT2001 at San Diego St. W 45-212000 BYU W 32-121999 Wyoming L 7-10
LAST WEEK
Minnesota defeated Air Force, 20-13, in the debut game of TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. The Gophers used a 17-point fourth quarter to come from behind and win the game. Air Force broke a 3-3 halftime tie with a Tim Jefferson to Kevin Fogler 37-yard scoring strike to take a 10-3 lead into the fourth quarter. Minnesota tied the game on a DeLeon Eskridge seven-yard run and took the lead shortly after when Nate Triplett returned a fumble 52 yards for a touchdown to make it 17-10. The teams exchanged field goals after that to make up the final margin. Air Force finished the game with 386 total yards, including 261 rushing, and had a six minute advantage in time of possession while running 30 more plays. Asher Clark led the team with 90 yards on 12 carries. Jefferson hit 10 of 17 passes for 125 yards. Minnesota was led by Adam Weber, who hit 20 of 29 passes for 219 yards. Eric Decker had 10 catches for 113 yards as Minnesota finished with 327 total yards.
LAST WEEK'S GAME NOTES
Team Notes
• Air Force uses game captains. The captains for the Minnesota game were seniors Ryan Gonzales (OL), Chris Thomas (DB) and Justin Moore (LB).
• The six-point combined first half is the lowest Air Force has been involved in since a 3-3 tie at Wyoming last season.
• Air Force's turnover (fumble) in the fourth quarter is its first (and only) one of the season.
Individual Notes
• Junior LB Patrick Hennessey, senior OL Nick Charles and sophomore WR Zach Kauth each made their first start of the season. The start is the first of Kauth's career. Both Hennessey and Charles missed last week's game due to injury.
• Senior DB Chris Thomas forced the first fumble of the season in the second quarter and junior DL Rick Ricketts made his first recovery in 2008. The forced fumble is the third of Thomas' career and the second recovery of Ricketts' career. Thomas turnover is the 12th of Thomas' career (three INTs, three FF and six FR).
• Sophomore SPC Erik Soderberg hit two more field goals, including a career long kick of 31 yards. He has hit all three of his career field goals (23, 20, 31) this season.
• Senior DL Ben Garland recorded his second quarterback sack of the season. The sack is the ninth of his career and marks the fourth straight game with at least one sack dating back to last season. Garland is the team's active career leader in sacks.
• Sophomore WR Jonathan Warzeka recorded career highs in rushing yards with 42 on a career-high 10 carries and in receiving yards with 44 on a career-high three receptions.
• Sophomore DB Anthony Wright tied career highs with seven total tackles and five unassisted tackles.
• Junior WR Kevin Fogler scored the first touchdown in TCF Bank Stadium history with a 37-yard touchdown pass from sophomore QB Tim Jefferson. The touchdown connection is the pair's second this season. The two hooked up for a 57-yard score in the season opener vs. Nicholls State. The touchdown catch is the second of Fogler's career and seventh of Jefferson's career.
• Junior LB Andre Morris, Jr. had a career high nine tackles, including a career-best six solos.
• Sophomore RB Asher Clark recorded the first reception of his career, for two yards, and finished with a game-high 90 yards rushing on 12 carries.
• Junior FB Jared Tew recorded career highs in kickoff returns and yardage with three returns for 90 yards.
AIR FORCE FOURTH NATIONALLY WITH 196-GAME SCORING STREAK
- Air Force has scored in 196 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.
- Air Force's 196-game scoring streak is the 15th longest in Division I-A college history.
- Of the top 15 all-time, nine were started in the 1980s while the other five began in the 1970s.
100 YARD RUSHERS UNDER CALHOUN
- Air Force is tough to beat when it has had a 100-yard rusher under head coach Troy Calhoun. The Falcons are12-3 in games when they have a player rush for 100 or more yards.
- The team's only losses came in the 2007 Armed Forces Bowl vs. California, vs. No. 16/14 BYU and vs. Houston in the 2008 Armed Forces Bowl.
2007
South Carolina State, W 34-3 (Kip McCarthy, 129); Utah, W 20-12 (Shaun Carney, 113); TCU, W 20-17 OT (Jim Ollis, 138); UNLV, W 31-14 (Chad Hall, 169); Colorado State, W 45-21 (Chad Hall, 256); Wyoming, W 20-12 (Chad Hall, 167); Army, W 30-10 (Chad Hall, 275); Notre Dame, W 41-24 (Chad Hall, 142); San Diego State, W 55-23 (Jim Ollis, 163; Chad Hall, 151; Ty Paffett, 105); California, L 36-42 (Shaun Carney, 108; Jim Ollis, 101).
2008
San Diego State, W 35-10 (Asher Clark, 109); UNLV, W 29-28 (Todd Newell, 134); Colorado State, W 38-17 (Asher Clark, 136); BYU, L 24-38 (Todd Newell, 116); Houston, L 28-34 (Jared Tew, 149)
AIR FORCE TAKEAWAYS
- Air Force is a combined +27 in two-plus seasons under head coach Troy Calhoun and defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter.
- Air Force stands at +4 this season after forcing four turnovers against Nicholls State and being even with Minnesota with one turnover each. The Falcons have forced two or more turnovers in 14 of the last 18 games overall.
- The team's +2.00 average in 2009 is tied for sixth nationally. Air Force's 1.00 per-game turnover margin average last season ranked second in the conference and 11th nationally.
AIR FORCE FEATURES YOUNG TEAM IN 2009
Air Force is a young team. The Falcons have just 15 seniors on its 95-man roster. The team has 57 freshmen and sophomores which makes up 60 percent of the roster. There are 42 sophomores and 15 freshmen on the roster.
DEFENSE RANKS AMONG BEST IN MWC
Air Force's defense ranks among the best in the conference. The Falcons are second in scoring defense with a 10.0 average, third in passing defense with a 140.0 average, fourth in rushing defense with a 99.0 average, and third in total defense with a 239.0 average.
• The defense has also scored a touchdown this season on a Wale Luwal fumble return vs. Nicholls State.
• The unit recorded a shutout in the season opener vs. Nicholls State which is the first for Air Force since beating Wofford, 49-0, in 2003.
• Air Force held Nicholls State to just seven first downs which is the seventh fewest in school history and fewest since holding Southern Methodist to six in 1971.
• Air Force held Nicholls State to just 151 total yards which is the eighth fewest in school history and fewest since holding Army to 100 in 1999.
AIR FORCE LEADS THE MWC IN SEVERAL CATEGORIES
Air Force leads the Mountain West Conference in several categories this season. Air Force is first in scoring offense (42.5), kickoff returns (30.0), rushing (367.5), punt returns (23.0), passing efficiency (169.4), turnover margin (2.00), penalities (32.5), third down percentage (55.6) and field goal percentage (1.000).
INDIVIDUAL QUICK HITS
- QB Tim Jefferson - rushed for a career-best two TDs and threw for one vs. Nicholls State ... second in the MWC in passing efficiency with a 169.4 mark.
- RB Asher Clark - rushed for a game-high 90 yards on 12 carries at Minnesota ... ranks third in the MWC in rushing with an average of 78.0 yards per game ... averages 8.7 yards per carry, the best average among the MWC's top 10 rushers.
- SPC Brandon Geyer - seventh in the MWC in punting with a 40.4 average.
- SPC Erik Soderberg - hit first-career field goal (23 yards) and all seven PATs in first game as starting kicker ... tied for sixth in the MWC in scoring with an 8.5 average ... his 1.5 field goals per game rank fourth in the conference.
- LB Alex Means - recorded five total tackles and a fumble recovery in his first-career game ... became the first Air Force freshman defensive player to start opening day since A.J. Scott vs. BYU in 1981.
- LB Ken Lamendola - fifth on the team in tackles with seven ... started last year with just one tackle in the season opener before finishing with a team-best 118 on the year.
- DB Chris Thomas - two tackles this season ... started last season without a tackle vs. Southern Utah before finishing season with 107 total ... tied for second in the MWC with .50 forced fumbles per game ... Air Force's active career leader in tackles with 244, tackles for loss with 18.5 and pass breakups with 17.
- FB Jared Tew - ranks second in the MWC in scoring with a 9.0 average ... sixth in the conference in all-purpose yards with a 105.5 average ... career-best three kickoff returns for a career-high 90 yards at Minnesota ... would rank second in the MWC in KOR with a 30.0 average, but lacks enough returns to qualify ... averaging 17.3 carries and 87.3 yards rushing per game in his three career starts (52 att, 262 yds) ... has also scored five TDs in three starts.
- DB Anthony Wright -returned two punts for 46 yards, including a career-long 34-yard return vs. Nicholls State ... averaging 23.0 yards per punt return, but doesn't qualify for MWC/national statistics because he lacks the total number of returns ... career-best seven tackles at Minnesota ... tied for the team lead in total tackles on the season with 11.
- DL Ben Garland - ranks second in the MWC in sacks with a 1.00 average ... has a streak of four straight games with sack and five straight games with a tackle for loss dating back to last year ... five tackles vs. Minnesota.
- WR Jonathan Warzeka - team's leading receiver with four catches for 48 yards ... career highs in rushing with 10 carries for 42 yards and receiving with three catches for 44 yards at Minnesota.
- WR Kevin Fogler - three catches for 113 yards on the season ... two catches for touchdowns, a 57-yarder vs. Nicholls State and a 37-yarder at Minnesota.
- LB Andre Morris, Jr - career-highs of nine total tackles and six solo tackles at Minnesota ... tied for the team lead on the season in total tackles with 11.
CHARLES ON THREE WATCH LISTS
- Air Force senior guard Nick Charles is one of 40 college football players named to the 2009 Outland Trophy Watch List. The annual watch list includes only interior linemen - tackles, guards and centers on both sides of the ball. The Mountain West Conference had two players on the list as Charles was joined by Utah offensive lineman Zane Beadles. In 1987, Air Force defensive end Chad Hennings won the Outland Trophy, to become the first and only Falcon to win the prestigious award.
- Charles has been named a nominee for the Allstate/American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team. Charles is one of 106 nominees up for the 11-player Good Works Team which will be announced during the 2009 college football season. The Allstate/AFCA Good Works team honors college football players who make outstanding contributions in the areas of volunteerism and civic involvement. With their acts, AFCA Good Works team members distinguish themselves among the more than 50,000 student-athletes participating in the sport at all four-year collegiate institutions through off-the-field accomplishments.
- Charles has been named to the 2009 Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List. The annual watch list includes football linemen, on offense or defense. The Rotary Lombardi Award goes annually to the college football lineman -- offense or defense -- who, in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the discipline of Vince Lombardi. To be eligible, the player can be an offensive lineman, defensive lineman, linebacker, or tight end.
Charles was a first-team preseason all-MWC selection. A second-team all-league selection as a sophomore and junior, Charles has anchored an offensive line that has helped the Falcons to a conference rushing title and a top 10 national rushing ranking each of the last two years. Last season, Charles led the Falcons with 16.4 knockdown blocks per game. He has started every game each of the last two years. Charles is active in his squadron as the point of contact for the Cadet for a Day program. He was also the cadet in charge of the Sunrise Senior Living Center Valentine's Ball and an Academy representative for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Charles is a two-time academic all-conference selection and a member of the dean's list at the Academy.
THOMAS GOING FOR NO. 3
Senior safety Chris Thomas has recorded two straight 100-plus tackles. He had 107 last year and 110 as a sophomore in 2007. Thomas will become just the fourth player in school history to record three 100-plus tackle seasons if he can do it again this season. Thomas would join Terry Maki (1984-86), Tom Foertsch (1976-78), Brian Hill (1988-90).
LAMENDOLA GOING FOR 100, AGAIN
Junior linebacker Ken Lamendola was just the second sophomore with 100-plus tackles in a season since All-American Anthony Schlegel in 2002 with his 118-tackle effort last year. Lamendola could become the 15th Falcon with back-to-back 100-plus tackle seasons if he hits the century mark in 2009.
AIR FORCE INDIVIDUAL HONORS
- Chris Thomas , Sr., DB - First-team preseason all-MWC.
- Nick Charles, Sr., OL - First-team preseason all-MWC ... Outland Trophy Watch List ... Allstate/AFCA oaches Association Good Works Team nominee ... 2009 Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List.
QUICK HITS
- Seniors Chris Thomas (DB) and Nick Charles (OL) were each named first-team preseason all-Mountain West Conference in 2009 at the conference's annual media day in Las Vegas. Both players were named second-team all-MWC in 2008.
- Falcon Stadium was ranked 24th by The Sporting News in a poll this summer on college football most unique stadiums. The poll measured everything from pregame tailgate parties to the roar of the crowd. Air Force was the only school from the Mountain West Conference in the top 25. Notre Dame Stadium was No. 1, followed by Ohio State's Ohio Stadium and Florida's Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
- Air Force is one of just 27 schools that didn't have a coaching staff change in 2009. Every position coach and coordinator returned from the 2008 season. Other schools without changes: UAB, Baylor, Colorado State, Duke, East Carolina, Georgia Tech, Houston, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan State, Navy, Nebraska, Nevada, NC State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Texas A&M, Troy, UTEP, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Washington State, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
- The Air Force-Army football game in 2012, originally scheduled for West Point's Michie Stadium, will be played at the new Yankee Stadium. The game will mark just the second time in school history that the Falcons will play in Yankee Stadium, the first being a 13-13 tie with Army in 1959.
- Air Force tied a Mountain West Conference record with 72 points in the season opener vs. Nicholls State. The Falcons also set a school record for victory margin in the 72-0 win.
- Freshman linebacker Wale Lawal made the most of his first-ever college football play. Lawal entered the Nicholls State game in the fourth quarter and his first play resulted in tackle for loss for 10 yards, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a 10-yard fumble recovery return for a touchdown. He finished the game with one other assisted tackle for two total and joins fellow rookies Darius Jones and Drew Coleman as freshman to score touchdowns in their first-career game.
- Air Force was picked to finish fourth in the Mountain West Conference in 2009 at the conference's annual media day in Las Vegas. TCU was picked to win the conference, followed by BYU and Utah.
Rk Team (1st place votes) Points1. TCU (15) 2072. BYU (6) 1903. Utah (3) 1794. Air Force 1305. UNLV 1086. Colorado State 1077. New Mexico 608. San Diego State 539. Wyoming 46
