Falcons Open MWC Play Hosting BYU
9/6/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 6, 2010
Complete Release in PDF Format 
Air Force vs. BYU
Saturday, Sept. 11, 2 p.m., Falcon Stadium (46,692), USAF Academy, CO
• This week's game is the conference opener for both schools and marks the last time the two will play as conference foes.
• Air Force is 10-1 all-time in MWC openers.
• Air Force will be honoring local firefighers and police and recently deployed soldiers during the game.
• The Falcons will also honor NYPD detective Steve Hayden and FDNY firefighter Kenny Haskill as honorary game captains.
• There will be special video presentations about 9-11 during the game as well.
TELEVISION
VERSUS
Joe Beninati (play-by-play); Kelly Stouffer (analyst); TBA (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/Bob Ihle (pre- and post-game)
THE BREAKDOWN
Record: Air Force (1-0, 0-0 MWC), BYU (1-0, 0-0 MWC)
Streaks: Air Force (W 2), BYU (W 6)
Next week: Air Force (at Oklahoma, 9-18), BYU (at Florida State, 9-18)
Last week: Air Force (W 65-21 vs. Northwestern State), BYU (W 23-17 vs. Washington)
Website: Air Force (goairforcefalcons.com), BYU (BYUcougars.com)
THE COACHES
Air Force: Troy Calhoun (Air Force, 1989) is in his fourth season. He has led the Falcons to a 26-14 career record. Calhoun is 16-8 in MWC games, 15-4 in Falcon Stadium, 9-4 in the month of September and 0-3 vs. BYU.
BYU: Bronco Mendenhall (Oregon State, 1988) is in his sixth season. He has led the Cougars to a 50-15 career record. Mendenhall is 34-6 in MWC games, including a 5-0 mark vs. Air Force.
• This week's game matches two of the most successful coaches in MWC history.
• BYU's Bronco Mendenhall ranks second all-time with a .766 winning percentage while Troy Calhoun of Air Force is fifth with a .658 mark.
THE SERIES
• BYU leads the series 24-6 overall, including a 14-3 mark at the Academy.
• The Cougars have won six straight in the series, including three straight in Falcon Stadium.
• Air Force's last win in the series was a 24-10 win in Provo in 2003.
• Air Force's last win in Falcon Stadium came in 2002, 52-9.
• BYU is one of only two (TCU) MWC teams that lead the overall series vs. Air Force.
• The Cougars won 38-21 in Provo last year and 38-24 in 2008 in the last game in Falcon Stadium.
• Air Force is 1-0 vs. BYU in MWC openers, defeating the Cougars, 32-12, in 2000.
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 32-12 (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)
2008 - BYU 38-24 (H)
2009 - BYU 38-21 (A)
* - Las Vegas, NV
Site is for AFA ( )
CAREER STATISTICS VS. BYU
Rushing (Att-Yds-TDs): Tim Jefferson (2g, 17-95-0), Kyle Halderman (1g, 1-46-0), Asher Clark (2g, 19-63-1), Jonathan Warzeka (2g, 8-31-1), Jared Tew (2g, 21-103-1), Ben Cochran (1g, 13-47-0), Nathan Walker (1g, 1-10-0).
Passing (C-A-Int-Yds-TD): Tim Jefferson (2g, 12-23-2-98-0), Ben Cochran (1g, 5-18-1-88-1).
Receiving (#-Yds-TD): Kyle Halderman (1g, 3-17-0), Kevin Fogler (2g, 3-29-0), Asher Clark (2g, 1-29-0), Jon Escamilla (1g, 1-6-0).
Tackles (UT-AT-TOT): Ken Lamendola (1g, 5-5-10), Anthony Wright (2g, 7-6-13), Andre Morris, Jr. (3g, 8-11-19), Reggie Rembert (3g, 8-3-11), Jon Davis (2g, 5-6-11), Rick Ricketts (2, 3-0-3), Josh Hall (1g, 1-1-2), Brian Corcoran (1g, 1-0-1), Harrison McWilliams (1g, 0-1-1), Wale Lawal (1g, 0-1-1).
LAST YEAR VS. BYU
BYU defeated Air Force, 38-21, in Provo. Max Hall led the Cougars with 377 yards passing and five touchdowns. Dennis Pitta had nine catches for 111 yards and two scores as the Cougars rolled up 498 total yards. Air Force was led by Jared Tew, who rushed for 82 yards. Jon Davis added 11 tackles for the defense.
MWC/CONFERENCE OPENERS
• Air Force is 10-1 all-time in Mountain West Conference openers dating back to 1999.
• The Falcons have won 10 straight MWC openers.
• Air Force is 1-0 vs. BYU in MWC openers, defeating the Cougars, 32-12, in 2000.
• Air Force is 4-1 at home and 6-0 on the road in MWC openers.
• Air Force is opening conference play at home for the first time since 2005.
• The Falcons are 22-8 all-time in conference openers dating back to 1980.
• Air Force has won 14 of its last 15 conference openers overall.
HOME SWEET HOME
• Air Force is 15-4 in Falcon Stadium over the last four years with Troy Calhoun at the helm.
• Air Force posted a 14-4 mark in Falcon Stadium from 2007-09 which is the fourth best mark in a three-year span in school history and best since 1998-2000 when the team was 14-3.
• The 14 wins are tied as the second most all-time, trailing the 1983-85 team's 15-2 mark.
FOUR BOWL TEAMS AWAIT FALCONS NEXT FOUR WEEKS
• Air Force's next four games feature bowl teams from 2009: BYU, Oklahoma, Wyoming and Navy.
• The four teams combined for a 36-17 (.697) overall record and a 16-9 (.667) conference mark in 2009.
• Following the four games, Air Force plays two of it's next three on the road.
• The 2010 schedule features six 2009 bowl teams overall, including TCU and Utah.
LAST WEEK
Air Force defeated Northwestern State, 65-21, in Falcon Stadium. The Falcons broke open a close first half with a dominant second half to roll to the victory. Air Force out-scored Northwestern State, 41-0, in the second stanza while rolling up 21 first downs, 292 yards rushing, 389 total yards and completing five of six third-down attempts. Defensively, the Falcons limited Northwestern State to just three first downs, 20 rushing yards, 34 passing yards, 54 total yards and one possession in Air Force territory.
The Falcons finished the day with 616 total yards, including 437 rushing. Asher Clark led the ground game with 84 yards while Jared Tew added 65. Tim Jefferson rushed for 59 yards and hit seven of 12 passes for a career-best 179 yards. He scored two rushing touchdowns and added two more passing. The defense was led by Rick Ricketts, who had eight tackles. Brady Amack added seven tackles, 1.5 sacks and his first-career interception.
LAST WEEK'S GAME NOTES
Team Notes
• Air Force improved to 34-19-2 overall in season openers, including a 29-8 mark in Falcon Stadium.
• Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun improved to 4-0 in home openers.
• Air Force improved to 10-6 against non-conference opponents under coach Troy Calhoun.
• Air Force's 65 points are the sixth most in school history.
• AFA's 616 yards of total offense are the 11th most in school history and the most since the Falcons went for 670 yards vs. San Diego State in 2007.
• AFA's 179 yards passing are the most since throwing for 184 vs. Navy in 2008.
Individual Notes
• Ten Falcons made their first career starts: OT Jason Kons, OG Tyler Schonsheck, OC Michael Hester, OT Chase Darden, DL Zach Payne, DL Ryan Gardner, ILB Brady Amack, ILB Jordan Waiwaiole, S Brian Lindsay and P Keil Bartholomew.
• Tim Jefferson rushed and passed for a touchdown for the third time in his career. His two rushing TDs and his two passing TDs both tie career highs. Jefferson's 179 passing yards are a career high. His 37-yard touchdown run in the second quarter is the second longest of his career and the longest scoring run since a 45-yarder vs. BYU in 2008.
• Mikel Hunter scored the first touchdown of his career.
• Keil Bartholomew had a pair of 45-yard punts which tie as the second-longest of his career.
• Jordan Waiwaiole's sack in the second quarter was the first of his career. Waiwaiole's six tackles and one tackle for loss are the most of his career.
• Jonathan Warzeka had a career-high two touchdowns.
• Linebacker Brady Amack's seven tackles, two for loss and 1.5 sacks are all career highs. He also had his first-career interception.
• Cornerback Josh Hall's five tackles are a career high.
• Defensive lineman Rick Ricketts' eight tackles are the second most of his career. His eight tackles all came in the first half.
• Wide receiver Zach Kauth had his first-career reception.
• Running back Darius Jones' 44-yard run in the fourth quarter was the longest of his career. Jones' 49 rushing yards are a career high.
• Defensive back Brian Lindsay's five tackles are a career high.
• Freshman running back Marquez Jones' 10-yard TD run was the first of his career.
FALCONS RANK THIRD NATIONALLY IN NUMBER OF FRESHMEN PLAYING
• Air Force played 13 true freshmen in the season opener vs. Northwestern State.
• The Falcons rank third nationally in the number of freshmen that have played this season.
• Florida (15) and Auburn (14) are the only teams to play more freshmen in the season opener.
THIS IS AIR FORCE FOOTBALL
• Air Force has an all-time record of 329-274-13 in its 55th season of varsity football. The Falcons are 178-113-3 at home and 151-161-10 on the road and in neutral site games. AFA has played in 20 bowl games and has a 9-10-1 all-time record.
• This season marks the fourth 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 31st year in a conference. This season marks the school's 12th 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 42-40 as a member of the Mountain West Conference. The team is 25-16 at home and 17-24 on the road. The Falcons are 75-59 overall since joining the MWC in 1999, including marks of 43-24 at home, 27-31 on the road, 5-4 in neutral site games and 3-2 in bowls.
AIR FORCE FOURTH NATIONALLY WITH 208-GAME SCORING STREAK
• Air Force has scored in 208 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 fourth longest active in the country.
• Air Force's 208-game scoring streak is the 15th longest in Division I-A college history
BLOCKED KICKS
• Air Force has blocked 105 kicks since 1990 when the team began tracking them.
• The Falcons have blocked six kicks under head coach Troy Calhoun.
• Air Force ranks 14th nationally since 2002 with 27 blocked kicks (Fresno State leads with 48).
ACADEMICS AND FOOTBALL
The Air Force football team has the second-highest multi-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) of any team in the Football Bowl Subdivision, according the a report issued by the NCAA. The program's 988 ranks second only to Rutgers, who had a 992, among the 120 FBS football playing schools. Rounding out the top five were Rice (987), Northwestern (986) and Duke (983). The multi-year APR is for the 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-89 academic years.
Air Force's number is easily the best within the Mountain West Conference. TCU is second with a 968 while Utah is third at 949. Colorado State is fourth with a 945 followed by BYU (940), New Mexico and UNLV (934), San Diego State (931) and Wyoming (928). The Academy is also the highest ranking service academy, as Navy posted a 973 and Army a 964.
In addition, the Air Force football team once again had the top Graduation Success Rate (GSR) in the Mountain West Conference in the recently released report for 1999-2002. Air Force's 87 percent is followed by Colorado State and TCU with 65. The national average for FBS schools was 64 percent.
CALHOUN LEADS THE NATION IN COACHES APR
Air Force football coach Troy Calhoun led the nation in Academic Progress Rates for Division I head coaches released by the NCAA. Calhoun has a three-year average of 986, posting a 981 in 2006-07, a 989 in 2007-08 and a 987 for 2008-09. Ken Niumatalolo of Navy (978) ranked second nationally followed by Randy Shannon of Miami (977).
The APR provides a real-time look at a team's academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete on scholarship. The APR accounts for eligibility, retention and graduation and provides a measure of each team's academic performance.
100 YARDS RUSHING UNDER CALHOUN
• Air Force is 16-3 when it has a 100-yard rusher with Troy Calhoun at the helm (since 2007).
• 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.
• Air Force has had two or more players top the 100-yard mark in a game three times, the most recent vs. Houston in the 2009 Armed Forces Bowl (Jared Tew 173, Asher Clark 129).
• Jared Tew and Asher Clark have each rushed for 100 yards four times in their careers.
AIR FORCE TAKEAWAYS
Air Force recorded one takeaway in the season opener vs. Northwestern State and came out of the game with a 0.00 turnover margin.
• Air Force led the nation in turnover margin with a 1.69 per-game mark in 2009.
• Air Force was +22 in turnover margin in 2009, forcing a season-high six turnovers vs. San Diego State and Houston and four vs. Nicholls State and New Mexico.
• Air Force is a combined +45 in turnover margin the last four seasons.
AIR FORCE PICKED FOURTH IN MWC POLL
Defending Mountain West Conference football champion TCU was predicted to capture its second consecutive title in 2010 in a poll of media members, announced at MWC Football Media Day in Las Vegas. The Horned Frogs posted a perfect 8-0 record in Conference play in 2009, en route to a 12-1 overall record and a final national ranking of sixth in both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches' polls.
AIR FORCE FOOTBALL BY THE NUMBERS
4 - Air Force has won four straight home games
5 - Air Force had five different players combine for the seven completions vs. Northwestern State
6 - Air Force scored on six straight possessions in the second half vs. Northwestern State
12 - Air Force has won 12 consecutive home openers
13 - Air Force had 13 true freshmen play in their first-career game vs. Northwestern State
15 - Air Force improved to 15-0 all-time vs. teams from the Football Championship Subdivision.
18 - The team had 18 players carry the ball for Air Force in the victory over Northwestern State.
80 - The team had 80 players participate in the game vs. Northwestern State.
ACTIVE AIR FORCE STREAKS
• Air Force has out-rushed four straight opponents dating back to Army in 2009.
• Junior QB Tim Jefferson has thrown 26 straight passes without an interception.
• Jefferson's streak covers two games
• Air Force has scored in nine consecutive quarters dating back to last year.
• Junior WR/KR Jonathan Warzeka has scored touchdowns in three straight games.
• Senior WR Kevin Fogler has had a catch in two straight games.
• Junior PK Erik Soderberg has hit a field goal in two straight games.
WATCH LISTS / HONORS
• Junior placekicker Erik Soderberg was named to the Watch List for the 2010 Lou Groza Collegiate Placekicker Award, released by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission.
• Senior defensive back Reggie Rembert was named to the 2010 Paul Hornung Award watch list. Rembert was one of 48 players on the watch list for the award, given annually to the most versatile player in major college football.
• Rembert is also one of 30 NCAA® football bowl subdivision student-athletes who excel both on and off the field and were selected as candidates for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award in football. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence - community, classroom, character and competition.
• Junior defensive back Anthony Wright has been named to the 2010 Lott Trophy Watch List announced by Ronnie Lott and the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation.
JEFFERSON WINNING GAMES
• Junior QB Tim Jefferson has a 13-6 career record as a starter.
• Jefferson ranks sixth in Air Force history in career wins by a quarterback with 13.
• His 12 wins entering the season ranked second in the MWC and 13th nationally among active quarterbacks. TCU's Andy Dalton entered the season with the conference and national lead with 29 wins.
CALHOUN TO VISIT TROOPS IN 2011
Air Force football coach Troy Calhoun will once again visit military troops overseas in 2011. This will be the coach's second trip to visit troops, as he visited the Middle East during the summer of 2009.
This year's visit will take place from Feb. 12-20 and locations and additional details are still being determined. Calhoun will be joined by other service academy head coaches Rich Ellerson of Army and Ken Niumatalolo of Navy, along with Bill George of the Coast Guard Academy and Mike Toop of the Merchant Marine Academy. Calhoun was joined by Mack Brown of Texas, Jim Tressel of Ohio State, UCLA's Rick Neuheisel and Houston Nutt of Mississippi, along with former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville on the 2009 tour.
The trip is coordinated through Armed Forces Entertainment, a Department of Defense agency, and Morale Entertainment.
HONORS IN 2010
Honors won by Air Force players in 2010 follow below.
• Reggie Rembert: Preseason first-team all-MWC ... Hornung "Watch List" ... LOWES Senior Class award nominee.
• Jared Tew: Preseason first-team all-MWC.
• Anthony Wright: Lott Trophy "Watch List" ... Nagurski Award "Watch List" ... Preseason first-team all-MWC.
• Erik Soderberg: Lou Groza "Watch List."
PLAYER NOTES
Quarterbacks -- Tim Jefferson threw for a career-high 179 yards vs. Northwestern State ... he matched his career-high in rushing and passing touchdowns with two each ... 148.59 career QB efficiency rating ranks first in Air Force history ... .562 career completion percentage is second in school history ... has thrown 26 straight passes without an interception ... three career games with a rushing and passing touchdown in the same game, including one game with two each (Northestern State, 2010).
Running Backs -- Jared Tew rushed for 65 yards on a team-high 13 carries last week ... seven carries for 50 yards in the second half ... 28th in Air Force history with 1,363 career rushing yards, sixth among fullbacks ... four career 100-yard rushing games. Asher Clark led the team with 84 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries vs. Northwestern State ... averaged 7.0 yards per carry ... ranks 19th in school history with 1,537 career rushing yards.
Receivers -- Kevin Fogler led the team with two catches for 67 yuards vs. Northwestern State ... had a long reception of 37 yards ... both catches went for first downs ... 22 of his last 27 catches have been for first downs of touchdowns ... ranks second in school history with a 22.3 yards per catch average. Jonathan Warzeka scored a rushing and receiving touchdown in the same game for the first time in his career in the win over Northwestern State ... caught a 37-yard TD and rushed for an 11-yard TD ... two kickoff returns for 87 yards ... has averaged 51.0 yards per KOR on his last four returns with a 50-yarder and a 100-yarder for a TD ... leads the MWC and is third nationally in KOR this season with a 43.5 average. Kyle Halderman tied for the team lead with two catches for 43 yards and a touchdown vs. Northwestern State ... scored on a 29-yard reception.
Defensive Line -- Rick Ricketts led the team with eight tackles vs. Northwestern State, all coming in the first half ... had a sack and a pass breakup ... second among active players with 108 career tackles. Ryan Gardner had four tackles in his first-career start. Zach Payne had two tackles in his first-career start.
Linebackers -- Brady Amack had a career-high seven tackles in his first-career start in the win over Northwestern ... also had 1.5 sacks and his first-career interception, returning it 50 yards. Jordan Waiwaiole recorded six total tackles in his first-career start ... also had a sack for two yards ... moved from outside to inside linebacker. Andre Morris, Jr. had four tackles and a pass breakup vs. Northwestern State ... has 102 career tackles and ranks third on the team among active players with 8.5 TFL.
Secondary -- Reggie Rembert, Jr. had two tackles and a TFL before being injured and leaving the Northwestern State game in the first quarter ... leads all active players with 133 career tackles and 10.0 TFL ... second among active players with six interceptions. Anthony Wright, Jr. had four tackles and a TFL vs. Northwestern State ... returned a punt for a touchdown, but had it called back ... leads all active players with eight career interceptions ... ranked third nationally in 2009 with seven interceptions. Jon Davis had six tackles and a pass breakup vs. Northwestern State ... three career interceptions. Brian Lindsay had five tackles and a TFL in his first-career start in win over Northwestern State.
Specialists -- Erik Soderberg hit a 29-yard field goal and all eight PATs vs. Northwestern State ... has 23 career field goals which ranks ninth in Air Force history ... .742 career field goal percentage (23-31) ranks seventh in school history. Keil Bartholomew had two punts for a 45.0 average in his first-career start in the win over Northwestern State ... had a net average of 45.0 on his two punts ... leads the conference in punting.
