Air Force Hosts San Diego State
9/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 21, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format 
Air Force (2-1, 1-0 MWC) vs. San Diego State (1-2, 0-0 MWC)
Saturday, Sept. 26, 12 p.m. Mountain
Falcon Stadium (46,692), USAF Academy, CO
TELEVISION
The Mountain West Sports Network (The Mtn)
Ari Wolfe (play-by-play), Blaine Fowler (analyst), Andrea Lloyd (sidelines)
RADIO
KVOR AM 740 in Colorado Springs
KCKK 1510 AM in Denver and Northern Colorado
Goairforcefalcons.com
Jim Arthur (play-by-play), Lee Douglas (analyst), Jay Ritchie (pre- and post-game)
THE BREAKDOWN
Record: Air Force (2-1, 1-0 MWC), San Diego State (1-2, 0-0 MWC)
Rankings: Neither team is ranked.
Streaks: Air Force (W 1), San Diego State (L 1)
Next week: Air Force (at Navy, Oct. 3), San Diego State (vs. New Mexico, Oct. 3)
Last week: Air Force (W 37-13 at New Mexico), San Diego State (L 20-34 at Idaho)
Website: Air Force (goairforcefalcons.com), San Diego State (goaztecs.com)
THE COACHES
- Air Force: Troy Calhoun (Air Force, 1989) has a 19-10 record in his third season at Air Force. Calhoun is 12-5 vs. the Mountain West, 10-3 at home, 8-5 in road games, 1-2 in neutral site games, 7-5 in non-conference games and 2-0 vs. San Diego State.
- San Diego State: Brady Hoke (Ball State, 1982) is in his first season at San Diego State. Hoke has a 35-40 career record in his seventh season.
- Air Force returns home after a two-game road swing. This is the team's lone home game in a stretch of playing three of four on the road.
- Air Force and San Diego State each played on the road last week. The Falcons won 37-13 at New Mexico in the Mountain West Conference opener for each school. San Diego State was beaten, 34-20, at Idaho.
- Air Force has won two straight and three of the last four meetings vs. San Diego State. The Falcons lead the overall series 18-9, including a 10-4 mark at the Academy. Air Force defeated San Diego State, 55-23, in 2007 the last time the two played in Falcon Stadium.
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 322-270-13. The Falcons are 173-112-3 at home and 149-158-10 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 38-37 as a member of the Mountain West Conference. The team is 22-15 at home and 16-22 on the road. The Falcons are 68-55 overall since joining the MWC in 1999, including marks of 38-23 at home, 26-28 on the road, 4-4 in neutral site games and 2-2 in bowls.
THE SERIES
Air Force and San Diego State meet for the 28th time overall. All 27 previous meetings have been as conference foes. The Falcons hold an 18-9 overall series lead. AFA is 10-4 at home, 7-5 in San Diego and 1-0 in neutral site games. Air Force has won two straight and three of the last four in the series. Air Force won at San Diego State, 35-10, last year and defeated the Aztecs, 55-23, the last time the two played at the Academy in 2007. The teams first played in 1980 in Falcon Stadium. The Aztecs won the game, 13-10. The following year the two teams played in Tokyo, Japan, in the Mirage Bowl. The Falcons won the game, 21-16, in front of 80,000 fans.
Year by Year
1980 - SDSU 13-10 (H)1981 - AFA 21-16*1982 - AFA 44-32 (H)1983 - AFA 38-7 (A)1984 - AFA 34-16 (H)1985 - AFA 31-10 (H)1986 - AFA 22-10 (A)1987 - AFA 49-7 (H)1988 - SDSU 39-36 (A)1989 - AFA 52-36 (H)1990 - SDSU 48-18 (A)1991 - AFA 21-20 (H)1992 - AFA 20-17 (A)1993 - SDSU 38-31 (H)1994 - AFA 36-35 (A)1996 - SDSU 28-23 (A)1997 - AFA 24-18 (H) OT1999 - AFA 23-22 (A)2000 - AFA 45-24 (H)2001 - AFA 45-21 (A)2002 - SDSU 38-34 (H)2003 - SDSU 24-3 (A)2004 - SDSU 37-31 (H)2005 - AFA 41-29 (H)2006 - SDSU 19-12 (A)2007 - AFA 55-23 (H)2008 - AFA 35-10 (A)(H/A) is for AFA* - Tokyo, Japan
LAST YEAR
Air Force rebounded from back-to-back losses to snap a two-game losing streak at San Diego State, defeating the Aztecs, 35-10, at Qualcomm Stadium. The Falcons unleashed a pair of freshman first-time starters on the Aztecs and a smothering defense in the second half to post the win.
Freshman Asher Clark rushed for a 109 yards on 15 carries and scored a touchdown in his first-career start to lead a Falcon rushing attack that rolled up 401 yards. Fellow rookie Tim Jefferson made his debut as the starting quarterback and added 55 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Fullback Todd Newell chipped in with a career-high 77 yards and a touchdown while Kyle Lumpkin added 71 yards on 14 carries. Jefferson hit three of five passes for 34 yards while Shea Smith hit both of his attempts for 38 yards and a touchdown as Air Force finished with 473 total yards and had an 8:40 advantage in time of possession.
Air Force's defense was outstanding, holding the Aztecs to just 13 yards on 28 plays in the second half. The Aztecs were held to 165 total yards in the game, including just 35 rushing. Senior outside linebacker Hunter Altman led a balanced attack with seven tackles and a half sack. Ken Lamendola added six tackles and a tackle for loss while Justin Moore chipped in with five tackles, two tackles for loss, a pass breakup and his first-career interception which he returned 25 yards for a touchdown.
CAREER STATISTICS VS. SAN DIEGO STATE
Rushing (Att-Yds-TDs): Savier Stephens (2g, 8-54-0), Asher Clark (1g, 15-109-1), Tim Jefferson (1g, 12-55-1), Ryan Southworth (1g, 5-28-0), Kyle Halderman (1g, 2-18-0) Passing (C-A-Int-Yds-TD): Tim Jefferson (1g, 3-5-0-34-0).
Receiving (#-Yds-TD): Josh Cousins (1g, 3-41-1), Kyle Halderman (1g, 1-25-0).
Tackles (UT-AT-TOT): Chris Thomas (3g, 11-8-19), Reggie Rembert (2g, 2-1-3), Ken Lamendola (1g, 2-4-6), Justin Moore (1g, 3-2-5), Anthony Wright (1g, 3-1-4), Patrick Hennessey (1g, 4-2-5), Ben Garland (2g, 3-6-9), Andre Morris, Jr. (2g, 5-0-5), Rick Ricketts (1g, 0-2-2), John Falgout (1g, 1-0-1).
SAN DIEGO STATE CONNECTIONS
- Air Force has 10 players from California on its roster.
Jonathan Warzeka - Lake Elisinore (Temescal Canyon)
Elliott Battle - Los Angeles (Campbell Hall)
Kevin Jablonsky - Yorba Linda (Esperanza)
Justin Franklin - Mission Viejo (Mission Viejo)
Brady Amack - Pleasanton (De La Salle)
Corey Skolnick-Page - San Diego (Scripps Ranch)
A.J. Wallerstein - Canyon Country (Canyon)
Kebin Umodu - West Covina (South Hills)
Ryan Gardner - San Jose (Valley Christian)
Rick Ricketts - San Josa (Archbishop Mitty)
LAST WEEK
Air Force defeated New Mexico, 37-13, in Albuquerque in the Mountain West Conference opener for each school. The Falcons jumped out to a 17-0 first-quarter lead and never looked back. Air Force forced four turnovers and scored 20 points as a result. The Falcons out-gained New Mexico, 371 to 290 while running 27 more plays and holding a 38:23 to 21:37 advantage in time of possession.
Asher Clark led the Falcons with 86 yards on 20 carries. Jared Tew added 61 yards on 17 carries while backup quarterback Connor Dietz, who entered the game late in the first quarter for an injured Tim Jefferson, finished with 23 yards on five carries. Dietz also hit two of four passes for 40 yards and his first-career touchdown.
The defense was led by Ken Lamendola's team-high eight tackles. Andre Morris, Jr., added seven tackles and two sacks and Jon Davis added the first two interceptions of his career, returning one 38 yards for a touchdown.
LAST WEEK'S GAME NOTES
Team Notes
• Air Force improved to 10-1 all-time in Mountain West Conference openers, including a perfect 6-0 mark in road openers. The Falcons have won 10 straight openers dating back to 2000.
• Air Force improved to 17-10 all-time vs. New Mexico, including a 13-8 mark in conference games. The Falcons improved to 8-7 in Albuquerque. The win is Air Force's first at UNM since a 42-24 victory in 2005.
• Air Force blocked its first kick of the season. The blocked field goal in the first quarter by Ben Garland is the first of his career. The block is the fourth under head coach Troy Calhoun (since 2007). Of the four blocked kicks in the Calhoun era, three have been on field goals and one on an extra point. The Falcons have blocked 102 kicks since 1990.
• Jon Davis' 38-yard interception return for a touchdown is the second non-offensive touchdown by Air Force this season. Freshman LB Wale Lawal scored the other one on a 10-yard fumble return vs. Nicholls State.
• Air Force forced a season-high four turnovers vs. New Mexico to mark the second game this season forcing multiple turnovers in a game. The Falcons scored 20 points off the turnovers. Air Force has forced two or more turnovers in 15 of the last 19 games.
• Air Force recorded a season-high four quarterback sacks. The team's previous high was three vs. Nicholls State.
Individual Notes
• Sophomore DB Phil Ofili made the first start of his career. Ofili started for the injured Chris Thomas at safety. Ofili also had the first fumble recovery of his career in the game.
• Junior DB Reggie Rembert made his first start of the season after missing the first two games of the season.
• Sophomore WR Jonathan Warzeka scored his first rushing touchdown of the season on Air Force's opening drive. He scored on a nine-yard run. The touchdown is the second rushing touchdown of his career.
• Sophomore DB Anthony Wright forced his first fumble and made his first interception of the season. The turnovers give him three this season as also has a fumble recovery. The forced fumble is the third of his career and the interception is his second. He has been involved in six turnovers in his career (2 INT, 3 FF, 1 FR).
• Sophomore SPC Eric Soderberg hit a career-high three field goals (24, 29 and 23 yards). The field goals give him six this season and at least one in each game. Soderberg is the first kicker since Ryan Harrison last year vs. Army to hit three field goals in a game.
• Sophomore DB Jon Davis recorded the first interception of his career and returned it 38 yards for the first touchdown of his career. Davis is the first Falcon since Justin Moore vs. San Diego State last season to return an interception for a touchdown.
• Davis recorded the second interception of his career in the second quarter, becoming the first Air Force player to have two interceptions in a game since Carson Bird had two vs. Colorado State, Oct. 13, 2007.
• Junior LB Andre Morris, Jr. recorded his first two quarterback sack of the season. The sacks give him three for his career. He has three tackles for loss (including sacks) this season and five in his career.
• Junior RB Savier Stephens scored his first touchdown of the season on a six-yard run in the second quarter. The touchdown is the fifth rushing touchdown of his career which is the second most among active Falcons (Jared Tew, 7).
• Sophomore QB Connor Dietz recorded his first pass completion of his career, a 12-yard completion to Jared Tew. Dietz later tossed the first touchdown pass of his career on a 28-yard connection with Kevin Fogler.
• Junior WR Kevin Fogler recorded his third touchdown catch of the season with a 28-yard connection. Fogler has had a touchdown catch in each game this season. • Senior DL Myles Morales recorded his first two sacks of the season. The sacks give him three for his career.
• Sophomore RB Asher Clark recorded a season high in rushing attempts with 20. • Junior DB/SPC Reggie Rembert recorded a career-long 60-yard kickoff return. His previous long was 41 vs. UNLV in 2008.
AIR FORCE FOURTH NATIONALLY WITH 197-GAME SCORING STREAK
- Air Force has scored in 197 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 197-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 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 58 freshmen and sophomores which makes up 60 percent of the roster. There are 42 sophomores and 16 freshmen on the roster.
AIR FORCE TAKEAWAYS
- Air Force is a combined +30 in two-plus seasons under head coach Troy Calhoun and defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter.
- Air Force stands at +7 this season. The team has forced four turnovers twice this season, vs. Nicholls State and New Mexico. The Falcons have forced two or more turnovers in 15 of the last 19 games overall.
- The team's +2.33 turnover margin average in 2009 is tied for first in the conference and second nationally.
- Air Force's 1.00 per-game turnover margin average last season ranked second in the conference and 11th nationally.
NOTES ON THE DEFENSE
The Falcons lead the conference and rank 11th nationally in scoring defense with an 11.0 average. The Falcons led the conference and rank 10th nationally in pass defense with an average of 127.3. Air Force is second in the conference and 18th nationally in total defense at 256.0 per game. Air Force has only allowed seven third-down conversions in three games and ranks second in the conference and third in the nation at 18.9 percent conversions on third down.
ADDITIONAL DEFENSIVE NOTES
• The defense has scored two touchdowns this season. Wale Lawal recovered and returned a fumble 10 yards vs. Nicholls State. Jon Davis returned an interception 38 yards for a score at New Mexico.
• 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 RETURN GAME SHINES
Air Force's return game has been outstanding this season. The Falcons lead the conference and rank 10th nationally in kickoff returns with a 31.0 average. Jared Tew and Reggie Rembert are leading the way. Tew has averaged 30.0 yards per return while Rembert has averaged 48.0 yards on two returns since returning to the lineup vs. New Mexico. Rembert recorded a career-long return of 60 yards vs. the Lobos. Air Force also leads the MWC and ranks 13th in the nation in punt returns with a 19.4 average. Anthony Wright has averaged 16.8 yards on four returns while Rembert took his only return of the season 30 yards vs. New Mexico.
OFFENSIVE NOTES
Air Force is second in the MWC and 14th in the nation in scoring with a 40.7 average. The Falcons lead the nation in rushing with a 344.3 per-game average and rank second in the conference and 21st nationally in total offense with a 444.3 average. The Falcons also lead the MWC and rank seventh nationally in passing efficiency with a 174.5 mark. Air Force has run 75 more plays than its opponents in three games, an average of 25 per game, and holds a 33:59 average in time of possession.
ADDITIONAL OFFENSIVE NOTES
• Air Force has out-rushed all three opponents this season.
• The Falcons have scored in 10 of 12 quarters this season and have twice scored 17 points in the first quarter (Nicholls State and New Mexico).
• Air Force tied a Mountain West Conference record with 72 points vs. Nicholls State. The 72 points are the third-most in school history.
• 17 different Falcons have carried the ball this season. The team has rushed the ball 206 times this season and all of them have come by players that return next season.
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 174.8 mark ... left the New Mexico game in the first quarter with a sprained right ankle and didn't return.
- RB Asher Clark - has led the team in rushing twice this season -- game-high 90 yards on 12 carries at Minnesota and 86 yards on 20 carries at New Mexico ... ranks third in the MWC in rushing with an average of 80.7 yards per game ... averages 6.4 yards per carry, second among the MWC's top 10 rushers.
- SPC Brandon Geyer - sixth in the MWC in punting with a 40.8 average.
- SPC Erik Soderberg - hit first-career field goal (23 yards) and all seven PATs in first game as starting kicker ... tied for second in the MWC in scoring with a 10.0 per-game average ... leads the MWC in field goals with a 2.00 average ... has hit all 12 PATs this season and six of eight field goals ... also handles kickoff duties.
- LB Ken Lamendola - second on the team in tackles with 17 ... season- and team-high eight tackles at New Mexico ... led the team and was among the league leaders with 118 tackles last year.
- DB Chris Thomas - missed the New Mexico game due to injury ... Air Force's active career leader in tackles with 244, tackles for loss with 18.5 and pass breakups with 17 ... preseason first-team all-conference selection ... tied with Reggie Rembert as Air Force's active career leader in interceptions with three.
- FB Jared Tew - ranks second in the MWC in scoring with a 6.0 average ... sixth in the conference in rushing with a 58.0 average ... is eighth in the MWC in all-purpose yards with a 94.7 average ... career-best three kickoff returns for a career-high 90 yards at Minnesota ... averaging 17.3 carries and 80.1 yards rushing per game in his four career starts (69 att, 323 yds) ... has also scored five TDs in four starts.
- DB Anthony Wright -returned two punts for 46 yards, including a career-long 34-yard return vs. Nicholls State ... averaging 16.8 yards per punt return ... career-best seven tackles at Minnesota ... first interception of the season and second of his career vs. New Mexico.
- DL Ben Garland - tied for fifth in the MWC in sacks with a .67 average ... had a streak of four straight games with a sack and five straight games with a tackle for loss snapped at New Mexico, finishing with one tackle ... blocked the first kick of his career, a PAT vs. New Mexico.
- WR Jonathan Warzeka - tied for the team lead in receptions with five ... rushed for 26 yards on five carries and scored his first rushing touchdown of the season at New Mexico ... career highs in rushing with 10 carries for 42 yards and receiving with three catches for 44 yards at Minnesota.
- WR Kevin Fogler - tied for the team lead in receptions with five and leads the team in receiving yards with 155 ... ninth in the conference in receiving yards with a 51.7 average ... three straight games this season with a touchdown catch.
- LB Andre Morris, Jr - leads the team in tackles with 18, including 10 unassisted ... leads the team in tackles for loss with 3.0 for 14 yards and sacks with 2.0 for 11 ... named MWC player of the week vs. New Mexico with seven tackles and two sacks ... career-highs of nine total tackles and six solo tackles at Minnesota
- QB Connor Dietz - has played in two games, leading the Falcons in rushing with 85 yards on seven carries vs. Nicholls State ... rushed for 23 yards on five carries and hit two of four passes for 40 yards and his first-career touchdown pass at New Mexico ... fifth on the team in rushing with 106 yards ... averages 8.8 yards per carry.
- Jon Davis, DB - leads the team and ranks third in the conference and 19th nationally in interceptions with two, a .67 per-game average ... recorded the first two interceptions of his career vs. New Mexico and returned one 38 yards for his first-career touchdown ... is the first Falcon since Carson Bird in 2007 with two interceptions in a game.
- Reggie Rembert, DB - became Air Force's all-time leader in kickoff return yards vs. New Mexico with two returns for 96 yards, including a career-best 60-yard effort ... the Air Force career leader in kickoff returns and yardage with 53 for 1,133 yards ... tied with Chris Thomas as the active career leader in interceptions with three.
MORRIS NAMED MWC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Andre Morris, Jr. recorded seven total tackles, including four solo stops and a career-high two sacks for a total loss of 11 yards in Air Force's 37-13 MWC season-opening win at New Mexico. Three of the junior linebacker's seven tackles, including one of the sacks, came on third down, forcing the Lobos to punt. The Newnan, Ga., native's two sacks are the most by a Falcon this season in a single game. This is the first time Morris has earned the honor in his career and he is the first Falcon to win the award in 2009.
DAVIS EARNS NATIONAL HONOR
Sophomore Jon Davis earned defensive back player of the week honors by College Football Performance Awards. Davis earned honorable mention honors for his performance against New Mexico on Sept. 19. Davis, a Cincinnati, Ohio, native, had two interceptions in the Falcons' 37-13 win over the Lobos. Davis ran the first interception back 38 yards for a touchdown, giving Air Force a 17-0 lead in the first quarter. Davis recorded the second interception of his career in the second quarter, becoming the first Air Force player to have two interceptions in a game since Carson Bird had two vs. Colorado State, Oct. 13, 2007. For more information on the College Football Performance Awards, log on to: www.collegefootballperformance.com
CHARLES ON THREE WATCH LISTS
n Air Force senior guard Nick Charles is on the three watch lists in 2009. He is one of 40 on the Outland Trophy list, one of 106 nominees for the Allstate/American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team and is on the Rotary Lombardi Award list.
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.
REMBERT'S RECORD
Junior Reggie Rembert set another kickoff return record when he returned to the lineup vs. New Mexico. Rembert became the school's career leader in kickoff return yardage with 1,133 on 53 returns. Rembert passed Ernie Jennings (1968-70), who had 1,037. Rembert's 53 career returns is the most in school history, passing Jennings' 43. Rembert had two returns for 96 yards, including a career-long effort of 60 yards vs. New Mexico.
MILESTONE WATCH
Senior safety Chris Thomas and junior linebacker Ken Lamendola are after two impressive career milestones this season. Thomas could become the fourth player in school history to record three 100-plus tackle seasons. Thomas, who had 107 tackles last year and 110 as a sophomore in 2007, would join Terry Maki (1984-86), Tom Foertsch (1976-78), Brian Hill (1988-90).
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.
- Andre Morris, Jr., Jr., LB - Named Mountain West Conference defensive player of the week vs. New Mexico.
- Jon Davis, So., DB - Named honorable mention defensive back performer of the week by College Football Performance Awards vs. New Mexico.
QUICK HITS
- 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.
- Air Force's 72 points vs. Nicholls State is the third most in school history and most since scoring 73 vs. New Mexico in 1987. The 72 points tie a Mountain West Conference record with New Mexico, who scored 72 points vs. Texas State in Aug. 30, 2003. The victory margin of 72 points (72-0) is a school record, breaking the previous mark of 69 (69-0) vs. Northern Colorado in 1984.
- 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.
- Air Force improved to 10-1 all-time in Mountain West Conference openers dating back to 1999. Air Force is 4-1 at home and 6-0 on the road.
- LB Alex Means - became the first Air Force freshman defensive player to start opening day since A.J. Scott vs. BYU in 1981.
