Saturday, October 22
USAFA
5:00 pm MT
Air Force Academy
vs
Boise State
GAME 8: Air Force vs. Boise State
10/17/2022 10:53:00 AM | Football
08.Air Force vs. Boise State.pdf2022 FB Game Notes Air Force.pdf2022 MWFB Weekly Release Week 8.pdfWatch (CBSSN)Digital Game Program
Saturday, Oct. 22, 5 p.m. MT, Falcon Stadium (Colorado Springs, CO)
GAME 8: Air Force vs. Boise State
Saturday, Oct. 22, 5 p.m. MT, Falcon Stadium (Colorado Springs, CO)
BROADCAST INFORMATION
• Television: CBS Sports Network
Rich Waltz (play-by-play), Aaron Taylor (analyst), Sherree Burruss (reporter)
• Radio: KVOR AM 740 in Colorado Springs, 104.3 the Fan in Denver, SIRIUS 380, SXM App 970
Jim Arthur (play-by-play), Jesse Kurtz (analyst)
THE SERIES
• Air Force and Boise State are meeting for the 11th time overall, all as conference foes
• Boise State leads the series, 6-4
• Air Force is 2-2 at home and 2-4 at Boise State
• Boise State has won two straight at Falcon Stadium dating back to 2016
• Air Force defeated Boise State, 24-17, last season in Boise, ID
• Boise State defeated Air Force, 49-30, in 2020 in the last meeting at Falcon Stadium
• The teams first played Oct. 22, 2011, at Boise State, resulting in a 37-26 Boise State win
Year by Year
2011 - BSU 37-26 (A)
2013 - BSU 42-20 (A)
2014 - AF 28-14 (H)
2015 - AF 37-30 (A)
2016 - AF 27-20 (H)
2017 - BSU 44-18 (A)
2018 - BSU 48-38 (H)
2019 - BSU 30-19 (A)
2020 - BSU 49-30 (H)
2021 - AF 24-17 (A)
Site is for AF
LAST SEASON
(Oct. 16, 2021) Air Force defeated Boise State, 24-17, to record its first win on the blue turf since 2015. The Falcons used a pair of Brad Roberts touchdown runs and one by Haaziq Daniels to take a 21-14 halftime lead. Following a scoreless third period, the Falcons extended the lead to 24-14 with a Matthew Dapore field goal with 2:49 left. Boise State cut the lead to 24-17, with a field goal with 49 second left and recovered an onside kick. Tre Bugg III sealed the win for Air Force with an interception on Boise State's first play. Air Force finished with 366 total yards, including 307 rushing. Roberts led the way with 138 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries. Daniels added 83 yards and a score on 21 carries. The defense was led by Alec Mock, who had a then-career-best 11 tackles. Bugg III added eight. Boise State had 337 total yards and were led by quarterback Hank Bachmeier, who hit 23 of 36 passes for 259 yards and a score.
THE LAST TIME AT FALCON STADIUM
(Oct. 31, 2020) Boise State defeated Air Force, 49-30, in Falcon Stadium. The 25th-ranked Broncos scored on the game's opening play with a 75-yard touchdown pass from Jack Sears to CT Thomas to take a 7-0 lead. The Falcons scored the first two times they had it on rushing touchdowns from Brandon Lewis and Matthew Murla to take a 14-7 lead. Boise State exploded for 21 points in the second quarter to take a 28-17 halftime lead. The Broncos extended the lead to 35-17 with the second TD connect between Sears and Thomas. Following an Air Force touchdown run by Murla to cut it to 35-24, Avery Williams returned the ensuing kickoff 88 yards for a score to make it 42-24. Both teams added a touchdown to make up the final margin. Boise State had 459 total yards, including 280 passing. Sears hit 17-20 passes for 280 yards and three scores. Air Force had 484 total yards, including a season-high 415 rushing. Lewis led the way with a career-high 112 yards, while Elijah Robinson chipped in with 90 and Warren Bryan 87.
AIR FORCE 26-7 LAST THREE SEASONS
Air Force is 26-7 the last three full seasons, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Air Force is 5-2 this season, finished 10-3 last season and 11-2 in 2019. The losses have come at Wyoming and Utah State this season, vs. Utah State, San Diego State and Army (N) last season and at Boise State and Navy in 2019.
• The Falcons are 15-5 in conference play, including a 2-2 mark this season. Air Force shared the Mountain Division title with a 6-2 mark last season and finished second with a 7-1 mark in 2019.
AIR FORCE AT HOME
• Air Force is 70-23 in Falcon Stadium under head coach Troy Calhoun...the Falcons have won five straight dating back to last season.
• Air Force had a school-record 15-game winning streak from 2014 to Oct. 22, 2016.
• Air Force went 20-4 at home from 2014-17, posting the most wins in a four-year span, breaking the record of 19 set from 1982-85 and 1998-2001 when the program went 19-4 those years.
• Air Force set a record for the best three-year run from 2014-16 with a 17-1 record, breaking the mark of 15-2 from 1983-85.
• The Falcons have finished undefeated at home six times overall in school history, four coming under Calhoun.
Year Rec. Notes
2022 4-0 Air Force has clinched 15th .500 or better in 16 seasons under Calhoun
2021 4-2 Air Force .500 or better for 14th time in 15 seasons under Calhoun
2020 2-1 Loss came to No. 25 Boise State
2019 6-0 Sixth undefeated season in program history, fourth under Calhoun
2018 4-2 Air Force posts four or more wins for ninth time in 12 seasons
2017 3-3 20 wins over four years is best four-year run in school history
2016 5-1 Air Force went 17-1 in home games from 2014-16
2015 6-0 Fifth 6-0 mark in AF history, third under Calhoun
2014 6-0 Fourth 6-0 mark in AF history, second under Calhoun
2013 2-5 Lone losing record in Calhoun era
2012 5-1 Second-best mark in school history
2011 4-3 Air Force goes 14-5 from 2009-11
2010 5-1 Combined with 2009, 10 wins in two seasons is third-best in AF history
2009 5-1 Second-best mark in school history
2008 3-3 Two losses at the hands of nationally ranked teams
2007 6-0 Just the third undefeated home record in school history
Total 70-23
AN AIR FORCE WIN WOULD
• Air Force would improve to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in MW play.
• Air Force would snap a two-game losing streak at home to Boise State.
• Air Force would win its second straight in the series vs. Boise State. The two-game streak would be its longest since winning three straight from 2014-16.
• Air Force would improve to 5-6 all-time vs. Boise State, including a 3-2 mark in Falcon Stadium.
• Air Force would improve to 71-23 under head coach Troy Calhoun in Falcon Stadium.
• Air Force would win its sixth straight at home dating back to last season.
FALCONS TO HONOR BO
Air Force will wear a BO sticker on their helmets this week in honor of former coach and administrator Jim Bowman, who passed away earlier this year.
Bowman first came to the Academy in 1958 as a physical education instructor. He was named head junior varsity football coach in 1960. He led the junior varsity for four years before taking over the freshman team. Bowman coached the freshmen until 1975 when he went back to the junior varsity head post. After the 1975 season, Bowman stepped down from coaching to devote his full duties to recruiting support.
In his five seasons as the junior varsity head coach, Bowman compiled a 24-4-1 record. His 1963 and 1975 teams went undefeated. In his 11 seasons as the freshman coach, Bowman led the squad to a 37-28 mark.
A 1951 graduate of Charlevoix High School in Michigan, Bowman won all-conference honors and received all-state mention as a center in 1950. After high school, Bowman attended the University of Michigan where he graduated in 1956. Bowman played three years, lettering as a senior at center for the Wolverines.
Following graduation, Bowman entered the Air Force and completed pilot training at Reese AFB, Texas, in 1957. After earning his pilot's wings, he attended B-47 transition school at McConnell AFB, Kansas.
Since his arrival at the Academy, Bowman was part of the athletic staff that led the Falcons to 17 postseason bowl games. He served as associate athletic director from 1964-07. His extensive experience in all phases of intercollegiate athletics helped him contribute immensely to one of the most successful programs in the country. He is an honorary member of the Academy Association of Graduates and a lifetime member of the American Football Coaches Association. In 2001, Bowman was inducted into the Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame as part of the 1958 Cotton Bowl team. Bowman was inducted into the Air Force Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009, the second class inducted.
LAST WEEK
Air Force defeated UNLV, 42-7, in Las Vegas to win its fifth straight in the series. The Falcons started quickly, opening the scoring on a 60-yard touchdown run by John Lee Eldridge III following a UNLV fumble. The Rebels fumbled again, and Brad Roberts cashed it in with the first of his four touchdowns to push the Falcons to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. The Falcons stretched it out to 28-7 at halftime. Roberts scored his fourth touchdown of the game on the opening drive of the third quarter after carrying 11 straight times for 75 yards on the drive. He accounted for every play on the scoring drive. Emmanuel Michel added a touchdown later in the quarter to make up the final margin. Air Force finished with 420 total yards, including 406 rushing, and held the ball for 43:10. Roberts led the way with 144 yards and a career-high four touchdowns on 29 carries. Eldridge III added a career-high 116 yards and a score. The defense was dominant, holding UNLV to just 179 total yards and forcing four turnovers. Johnathan Youngblood led the way with six tackles. TD Blackmon added three tackles, a sack, 2.0 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, fumble recovery (on the same play) and a pass breakup.
AIR FORCE LEADS THE NATION IN RUSHING, AGAIN
Air Force leads the nation in rushing with a 359.9 average, leading No. 2 Army by 43.1 yards per game. The Falcons rushed for 582 yards in the season opener vs. Northern Iowa, which is the sixth most in school history and the most since rushing for 595 vs. Tennessee State in 2011. Air Force rushed for 435 yards vs. Colorado and 461 vs. Nevada.
Air Force won its second straight NCAA rushing title last season. The Falcons averaged 327.7 yards, winning the title by 47.1 yards per game over second place Army, who averaged 280.6.
Air Force led the nation for a school-record 10 consecutive weeks during the season, breaking the record of eight weeks set in 2010. The Falcons out-rushed 12 of 13 opponents and topped the 400-yard mark five times. The Falcons averaged 498 yards their final two regular season games of the season, rushing for a season-high 511 vs. UNLV and 485 vs. Nevada. Air Force rushed for 400-plus in a school-record three straight games, gaining 437 vs. Utah State, 446 vs. FAU and 408 vs. New Mexico.
Air Force won the national rushing title in 2020 with a 305.7 per-game average. The Falcons won their first title in 2002 with a 307.8 per-game average. Air Force has ranked among the nation's top 10 nine straight years and 34 of the last 35 overall.
2022 NCAA Rushing Leaders
# Team (Conf.) Avg.
1. Air Force (MW).............359.9
2. Army (Ind.).................... 316.8
3. Ole Miss (SEC)..............271.1
4. UCF (AAC)....................261.2
5. Navy (AAC)...................255.2
BRAD ROBERTS HAVING RECORD-SETTING CAREER AT AIR FORCE
Senior fullback Brad Roberts continues his record-setting career at Air Force. Roberts leads the MW and ranks ninth nationally in rushing with a 121.9 per-game average. He leads the MW and ranks eighth in the NCAA in scoring with a 10.3 average. He has rushed for 853 yards on 149 carries and scored 12 touchdowns. A closer look at where he ranks in the MW and NCAA this season follows.
Category Stats MW NCAA
Scoring 10.3 1st 8th
Rushing 121.9 1st 9th
Yards/Carry 5.72 1st 38th
All-Purpose 121.86 3rd 33rd
Total Offense 121.86 7th --
• Roberts has topped the 100-yard mark in a conference-best six games, two more than any other player. He rushed for 144 yards and a career-best four touchdowns at UNLV on 29 carries. He recorded 14 carries for first downs or touchdowns in the game, which is the most since the program began tracking the stat. He recorded 11 straight carries for 75 yards and a TD on the opening drive of the second half, recording every offensive play during the drive. Roberts was named MW offensive player of the week for the third time this season for his efforts. He rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries at Utah State. He rushed for 108 yards on 23 carries vs. Navy. Roberts rushed for 123 yards and tied a then-career high with three touchdowns vs. Nevada to earn Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week honors for the second time this season. Roberts rushed for 174 yards and three touchdowns vs. Colorado. He went over the 2,000-yard mark for his career in the game, becoming the 11th player in program history to hit the 2K mark and just the third fullback. Roberts earned Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week honors for his performance.
• Roberts has played in 24 career games and topped the 100-yard mark a school-record 15 times, breaking the record of 14 set by Beau Morgan (1994-96). He is averaging 111.1 yards per game in his career. He could become just the fourth player in program history to lead the team in rushing three straight years, joining Ken Wood (1974-76), John Kershner (1981-83) and Jacobi Owens (2014-16).
• Roberts has rushed for 2,666 yards and 30 touchdowns in his career. He ranks sixth in program history in rushing and is tied for seventh in rushing touchdowns. He is second among fullbacks in career rushing yards and leads all fullbacks in rushing touchdowns. Roberts ranks eighth in program history in career rushing attempts with 511, which ranks second among fullbacks. He is one of eight players in program history to record 500-plus carries.
• Roberts needs 147 yards to post his second-straight 1,000-yard season, which would make him the fifth player in program history to tie the program record with two 1,000-yard seasons. He would become the first fullback to do it and just the fourth to do it in back-to-back seasons (Beau Morgan, 1995, 96; Asher Clark, 2010, 11; Jacobi Owens, 2014, 15).
• Roberts is the top returning rushing in the Mountain West and among the top nationally. He is one of 52 players named to the 2022 Walter Camp Award watch list, announced by the Walter Camp Football Foundation. He was also named to the Maxwell Award watch list earlier this season.
THE DIESEL
Air Force's offensive line has taken on a new identity the last few years. The group calls itself the Diesel, which represents an attitude of toughness and a willingness to block regardless of position. The players purchase hats with a diesel pump handle on it and hands them out to the members of the line. The linemen also hand them out a select few position players that they feel shares their attitude. The Diesel has powered the Air Force rushing attack to back-to-back national rushing titles in 2020-21. Last season, the group became the first FBS non-power five unit to be a finalist for the Joe Moore Award as the nation's top offensive line.
• The Diesel has paved the way for the Falcons to lead the nation in rushing with a 359.9 average. The Diesel has allowed .71 sacks per game which leads the MW and ranks seventh nationally. The Falcons rank first in the MW and second nationally in time of possession with a 33:37 mark.
• The Diesel was impressive in the season opener vs. Northern Iowa, paving the way to 691 total yards and 582 yards on the ground. Air Force's 691 yards of total offense are the fourth most in school history and the most since a school record 792 against Tennessee State in 2011. Air Force's 582 rushing yards are the sixth most in school history and the most since rushing for 595 vs. Tennessee State in 2011.
Saturday, Oct. 22, 5 p.m. MT, Falcon Stadium (Colorado Springs, CO)
BROADCAST INFORMATION
• Television: CBS Sports Network
Rich Waltz (play-by-play), Aaron Taylor (analyst), Sherree Burruss (reporter)
• Radio: KVOR AM 740 in Colorado Springs, 104.3 the Fan in Denver, SIRIUS 380, SXM App 970
Jim Arthur (play-by-play), Jesse Kurtz (analyst)
THE SERIES
• Air Force and Boise State are meeting for the 11th time overall, all as conference foes
• Boise State leads the series, 6-4
• Air Force is 2-2 at home and 2-4 at Boise State
• Boise State has won two straight at Falcon Stadium dating back to 2016
• Air Force defeated Boise State, 24-17, last season in Boise, ID
• Boise State defeated Air Force, 49-30, in 2020 in the last meeting at Falcon Stadium
• The teams first played Oct. 22, 2011, at Boise State, resulting in a 37-26 Boise State win
Year by Year
2011 - BSU 37-26 (A)
2013 - BSU 42-20 (A)
2014 - AF 28-14 (H)
2015 - AF 37-30 (A)
2016 - AF 27-20 (H)
2017 - BSU 44-18 (A)
2018 - BSU 48-38 (H)
2019 - BSU 30-19 (A)
2020 - BSU 49-30 (H)
2021 - AF 24-17 (A)
Site is for AF
LAST SEASON
(Oct. 16, 2021) Air Force defeated Boise State, 24-17, to record its first win on the blue turf since 2015. The Falcons used a pair of Brad Roberts touchdown runs and one by Haaziq Daniels to take a 21-14 halftime lead. Following a scoreless third period, the Falcons extended the lead to 24-14 with a Matthew Dapore field goal with 2:49 left. Boise State cut the lead to 24-17, with a field goal with 49 second left and recovered an onside kick. Tre Bugg III sealed the win for Air Force with an interception on Boise State's first play. Air Force finished with 366 total yards, including 307 rushing. Roberts led the way with 138 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries. Daniels added 83 yards and a score on 21 carries. The defense was led by Alec Mock, who had a then-career-best 11 tackles. Bugg III added eight. Boise State had 337 total yards and were led by quarterback Hank Bachmeier, who hit 23 of 36 passes for 259 yards and a score.
THE LAST TIME AT FALCON STADIUM
(Oct. 31, 2020) Boise State defeated Air Force, 49-30, in Falcon Stadium. The 25th-ranked Broncos scored on the game's opening play with a 75-yard touchdown pass from Jack Sears to CT Thomas to take a 7-0 lead. The Falcons scored the first two times they had it on rushing touchdowns from Brandon Lewis and Matthew Murla to take a 14-7 lead. Boise State exploded for 21 points in the second quarter to take a 28-17 halftime lead. The Broncos extended the lead to 35-17 with the second TD connect between Sears and Thomas. Following an Air Force touchdown run by Murla to cut it to 35-24, Avery Williams returned the ensuing kickoff 88 yards for a score to make it 42-24. Both teams added a touchdown to make up the final margin. Boise State had 459 total yards, including 280 passing. Sears hit 17-20 passes for 280 yards and three scores. Air Force had 484 total yards, including a season-high 415 rushing. Lewis led the way with a career-high 112 yards, while Elijah Robinson chipped in with 90 and Warren Bryan 87.
AIR FORCE 26-7 LAST THREE SEASONS
Air Force is 26-7 the last three full seasons, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Air Force is 5-2 this season, finished 10-3 last season and 11-2 in 2019. The losses have come at Wyoming and Utah State this season, vs. Utah State, San Diego State and Army (N) last season and at Boise State and Navy in 2019.
• The Falcons are 15-5 in conference play, including a 2-2 mark this season. Air Force shared the Mountain Division title with a 6-2 mark last season and finished second with a 7-1 mark in 2019.
AIR FORCE AT HOME
• Air Force is 70-23 in Falcon Stadium under head coach Troy Calhoun...the Falcons have won five straight dating back to last season.
• Air Force had a school-record 15-game winning streak from 2014 to Oct. 22, 2016.
• Air Force went 20-4 at home from 2014-17, posting the most wins in a four-year span, breaking the record of 19 set from 1982-85 and 1998-2001 when the program went 19-4 those years.
• Air Force set a record for the best three-year run from 2014-16 with a 17-1 record, breaking the mark of 15-2 from 1983-85.
• The Falcons have finished undefeated at home six times overall in school history, four coming under Calhoun.
Year Rec. Notes
2022 4-0 Air Force has clinched 15th .500 or better in 16 seasons under Calhoun
2021 4-2 Air Force .500 or better for 14th time in 15 seasons under Calhoun
2020 2-1 Loss came to No. 25 Boise State
2019 6-0 Sixth undefeated season in program history, fourth under Calhoun
2018 4-2 Air Force posts four or more wins for ninth time in 12 seasons
2017 3-3 20 wins over four years is best four-year run in school history
2016 5-1 Air Force went 17-1 in home games from 2014-16
2015 6-0 Fifth 6-0 mark in AF history, third under Calhoun
2014 6-0 Fourth 6-0 mark in AF history, second under Calhoun
2013 2-5 Lone losing record in Calhoun era
2012 5-1 Second-best mark in school history
2011 4-3 Air Force goes 14-5 from 2009-11
2010 5-1 Combined with 2009, 10 wins in two seasons is third-best in AF history
2009 5-1 Second-best mark in school history
2008 3-3 Two losses at the hands of nationally ranked teams
2007 6-0 Just the third undefeated home record in school history
Total 70-23
AN AIR FORCE WIN WOULD
• Air Force would improve to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in MW play.
• Air Force would snap a two-game losing streak at home to Boise State.
• Air Force would win its second straight in the series vs. Boise State. The two-game streak would be its longest since winning three straight from 2014-16.
• Air Force would improve to 5-6 all-time vs. Boise State, including a 3-2 mark in Falcon Stadium.
• Air Force would improve to 71-23 under head coach Troy Calhoun in Falcon Stadium.
• Air Force would win its sixth straight at home dating back to last season.
FALCONS TO HONOR BO
Air Force will wear a BO sticker on their helmets this week in honor of former coach and administrator Jim Bowman, who passed away earlier this year.
Bowman first came to the Academy in 1958 as a physical education instructor. He was named head junior varsity football coach in 1960. He led the junior varsity for four years before taking over the freshman team. Bowman coached the freshmen until 1975 when he went back to the junior varsity head post. After the 1975 season, Bowman stepped down from coaching to devote his full duties to recruiting support.
In his five seasons as the junior varsity head coach, Bowman compiled a 24-4-1 record. His 1963 and 1975 teams went undefeated. In his 11 seasons as the freshman coach, Bowman led the squad to a 37-28 mark.
A 1951 graduate of Charlevoix High School in Michigan, Bowman won all-conference honors and received all-state mention as a center in 1950. After high school, Bowman attended the University of Michigan where he graduated in 1956. Bowman played three years, lettering as a senior at center for the Wolverines.
Following graduation, Bowman entered the Air Force and completed pilot training at Reese AFB, Texas, in 1957. After earning his pilot's wings, he attended B-47 transition school at McConnell AFB, Kansas.
Since his arrival at the Academy, Bowman was part of the athletic staff that led the Falcons to 17 postseason bowl games. He served as associate athletic director from 1964-07. His extensive experience in all phases of intercollegiate athletics helped him contribute immensely to one of the most successful programs in the country. He is an honorary member of the Academy Association of Graduates and a lifetime member of the American Football Coaches Association. In 2001, Bowman was inducted into the Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame as part of the 1958 Cotton Bowl team. Bowman was inducted into the Air Force Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009, the second class inducted.
LAST WEEK
Air Force defeated UNLV, 42-7, in Las Vegas to win its fifth straight in the series. The Falcons started quickly, opening the scoring on a 60-yard touchdown run by John Lee Eldridge III following a UNLV fumble. The Rebels fumbled again, and Brad Roberts cashed it in with the first of his four touchdowns to push the Falcons to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. The Falcons stretched it out to 28-7 at halftime. Roberts scored his fourth touchdown of the game on the opening drive of the third quarter after carrying 11 straight times for 75 yards on the drive. He accounted for every play on the scoring drive. Emmanuel Michel added a touchdown later in the quarter to make up the final margin. Air Force finished with 420 total yards, including 406 rushing, and held the ball for 43:10. Roberts led the way with 144 yards and a career-high four touchdowns on 29 carries. Eldridge III added a career-high 116 yards and a score. The defense was dominant, holding UNLV to just 179 total yards and forcing four turnovers. Johnathan Youngblood led the way with six tackles. TD Blackmon added three tackles, a sack, 2.0 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, fumble recovery (on the same play) and a pass breakup.
AIR FORCE LEADS THE NATION IN RUSHING, AGAIN
Air Force leads the nation in rushing with a 359.9 average, leading No. 2 Army by 43.1 yards per game. The Falcons rushed for 582 yards in the season opener vs. Northern Iowa, which is the sixth most in school history and the most since rushing for 595 vs. Tennessee State in 2011. Air Force rushed for 435 yards vs. Colorado and 461 vs. Nevada.
Air Force won its second straight NCAA rushing title last season. The Falcons averaged 327.7 yards, winning the title by 47.1 yards per game over second place Army, who averaged 280.6.
Air Force led the nation for a school-record 10 consecutive weeks during the season, breaking the record of eight weeks set in 2010. The Falcons out-rushed 12 of 13 opponents and topped the 400-yard mark five times. The Falcons averaged 498 yards their final two regular season games of the season, rushing for a season-high 511 vs. UNLV and 485 vs. Nevada. Air Force rushed for 400-plus in a school-record three straight games, gaining 437 vs. Utah State, 446 vs. FAU and 408 vs. New Mexico.
Air Force won the national rushing title in 2020 with a 305.7 per-game average. The Falcons won their first title in 2002 with a 307.8 per-game average. Air Force has ranked among the nation's top 10 nine straight years and 34 of the last 35 overall.
2022 NCAA Rushing Leaders
# Team (Conf.) Avg.
1. Air Force (MW).............359.9
2. Army (Ind.).................... 316.8
3. Ole Miss (SEC)..............271.1
4. UCF (AAC)....................261.2
5. Navy (AAC)...................255.2
BRAD ROBERTS HAVING RECORD-SETTING CAREER AT AIR FORCE
Senior fullback Brad Roberts continues his record-setting career at Air Force. Roberts leads the MW and ranks ninth nationally in rushing with a 121.9 per-game average. He leads the MW and ranks eighth in the NCAA in scoring with a 10.3 average. He has rushed for 853 yards on 149 carries and scored 12 touchdowns. A closer look at where he ranks in the MW and NCAA this season follows.
Category Stats MW NCAA
Scoring 10.3 1st 8th
Rushing 121.9 1st 9th
Yards/Carry 5.72 1st 38th
All-Purpose 121.86 3rd 33rd
Total Offense 121.86 7th --
• Roberts has topped the 100-yard mark in a conference-best six games, two more than any other player. He rushed for 144 yards and a career-best four touchdowns at UNLV on 29 carries. He recorded 14 carries for first downs or touchdowns in the game, which is the most since the program began tracking the stat. He recorded 11 straight carries for 75 yards and a TD on the opening drive of the second half, recording every offensive play during the drive. Roberts was named MW offensive player of the week for the third time this season for his efforts. He rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries at Utah State. He rushed for 108 yards on 23 carries vs. Navy. Roberts rushed for 123 yards and tied a then-career high with three touchdowns vs. Nevada to earn Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week honors for the second time this season. Roberts rushed for 174 yards and three touchdowns vs. Colorado. He went over the 2,000-yard mark for his career in the game, becoming the 11th player in program history to hit the 2K mark and just the third fullback. Roberts earned Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week honors for his performance.
• Roberts has played in 24 career games and topped the 100-yard mark a school-record 15 times, breaking the record of 14 set by Beau Morgan (1994-96). He is averaging 111.1 yards per game in his career. He could become just the fourth player in program history to lead the team in rushing three straight years, joining Ken Wood (1974-76), John Kershner (1981-83) and Jacobi Owens (2014-16).
• Roberts has rushed for 2,666 yards and 30 touchdowns in his career. He ranks sixth in program history in rushing and is tied for seventh in rushing touchdowns. He is second among fullbacks in career rushing yards and leads all fullbacks in rushing touchdowns. Roberts ranks eighth in program history in career rushing attempts with 511, which ranks second among fullbacks. He is one of eight players in program history to record 500-plus carries.
• Roberts needs 147 yards to post his second-straight 1,000-yard season, which would make him the fifth player in program history to tie the program record with two 1,000-yard seasons. He would become the first fullback to do it and just the fourth to do it in back-to-back seasons (Beau Morgan, 1995, 96; Asher Clark, 2010, 11; Jacobi Owens, 2014, 15).
• Roberts is the top returning rushing in the Mountain West and among the top nationally. He is one of 52 players named to the 2022 Walter Camp Award watch list, announced by the Walter Camp Football Foundation. He was also named to the Maxwell Award watch list earlier this season.
THE DIESEL
Air Force's offensive line has taken on a new identity the last few years. The group calls itself the Diesel, which represents an attitude of toughness and a willingness to block regardless of position. The players purchase hats with a diesel pump handle on it and hands them out to the members of the line. The linemen also hand them out a select few position players that they feel shares their attitude. The Diesel has powered the Air Force rushing attack to back-to-back national rushing titles in 2020-21. Last season, the group became the first FBS non-power five unit to be a finalist for the Joe Moore Award as the nation's top offensive line.
• The Diesel has paved the way for the Falcons to lead the nation in rushing with a 359.9 average. The Diesel has allowed .71 sacks per game which leads the MW and ranks seventh nationally. The Falcons rank first in the MW and second nationally in time of possession with a 33:37 mark.
• The Diesel was impressive in the season opener vs. Northern Iowa, paving the way to 691 total yards and 582 yards on the ground. Air Force's 691 yards of total offense are the fourth most in school history and the most since a school record 792 against Tennessee State in 2011. Air Force's 582 rushing yards are the sixth most in school history and the most since rushing for 595 vs. Tennessee State in 2011.
Players Mentioned
ILB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
PK
/ Football
RB
/ FootballWR
/ Football
FB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
FB
/ Football
ILB
/ FootballFootball Press Conference - September 23rd, 2025
Tuesday, September 23
Air Force Football Vs Boise State 2025
Monday, September 22
Falcons fall in shootout with Boise State
Saturday, September 20
Troy Calhoun and Players POST Boise State 2025
Saturday, September 20
