Calhoun, Blackmon, Roberts representing Air Force at conference media days
7/18/2022 9:20:00 AM | Football
Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun and seniors TD Blackmon (LB) and Brad Roberts (FB) will represent the program at this week's 2022 Mountain West Football Media Days July 20-21 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev.
LOCKHEED MARTIN COMMANDERS' CLASSIC VS. ARMY
The Lockheed Martin Commanders' Classic between Air Force and Army in 2021 was the first college football game at Globe Life Field. The two-year agreement continues this season with Air Force and Army playing November 5, 2022. Army won last year's game, 21-14, in overtime. The Texas Rangers will host and operate the games with marketing assistance from Dallas-based LST Marketing.
Globe Life Field is the home of Major League Baseball's Texas Rangers, which played 30 games in the park without fans in the abbreviated 2020 season. The facility then hosted 16 MLB neutral site postseason games in the National League Division (3) and Championship (7) Series and the World Series (6). Games in the final two playoff rounds were played in front of approximately 11,500 fans per game, the maximum capacity allowed by MLB.
Designed with a retractable roof to be a premier multipurpose sports and entertainment venue, Globe Life Field was the home of more than 60 high school graduations in May and June and most recently hosted the 10-night Wrangler National Finals Rodeo from December 3-12 with sellout crowds of 14,500 per performance.
The Globe Life Field seating capacity for the Lockheed Martin Commanders' Classic is expected to approximate the 40,518 figure for baseball. The 1.8 million square foot facility includes sports lighting as well as broadcast locations that are specific to football.
FALCON STADIUM TURNS 60
Falcon Stadium celebrates 60 years during the 2022 season. The stadium opened in 1962 as the home of the Falcons. Air Force is 217-125-4 all-time in Falcon Stadium.
Since the donor-funded stadium opened, it has undergone several significant upgrades. In 1991, the Acaemy installed skyboxes and remodeled the press box. Renovations in the 1990s and 2000s to improve the fan experience increased food and beverage vendors and the additional space brought its capacity to the current 46,692 (down from 52,480). Permanent lights were installed in 2002. Going into the 2016 season, new scorebards were installed, then in 2018 the turf was replaced and the home locker room renovated. Private contributions funded most of these improvements.
The next phase of renovations are on tap following the 2022 season with the goal of transforming the facility into a state-of-the-art, world-class venue.
The Air Force Academy Foundation and the Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation have announced a proposed multiphase Falcon Stadium renovation project as part of the Defining Our Future campaign in support of the Air Force Academy, publicly launched on Sept. 10, 2021.
The investment required for the initial phase will total $70 million, with philanthropic support from the Air Force Academy Foundation providing $35 million as part of the campaign and the remaining half financed by Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation revenue. The current phase is part of a multiphase master plan to upgrade and transform Falcon Stadium and will total about $180 million when finished.
With most of the initial upgrades coming on the east side of the stadium, the proposed plans include a dramatic new stadium entrance, an updated event space, relocation of the cadet section and a heritage plaza. Improved seating, concessions areas, restrooms and merchandise space will offer fans a more modern and comfortable feel as they take in an event.
AIR FORCE WELCOMES SIX NEW COACHES
Air Force welcomes six new coaches entering the 2022 season. The new coaches follow below. Position changes include Brian Knorr moving to defensive coordinator/inside linebackers, Brett Skene taking over as specialist and assistant offensive line coach and Alex Means moving to defensive line.
• Marc Bacote (James Madison, 2010), 1st year, Tight Ends
• Charlie Jackson (Air Force, 2000), 1st year, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Backs
• Ken Lamendola (Air Force, 2011), 1st year, Outside Linebackers
• Nick Toth (Ohio, 1999), 1st year, Safties
• E.J. Whitlow (Findlay, 2010), 1st year, Defensive Ends
• Anthony Wright (Air Force, 2012) 1st year, Defensive Assistant
FALCONS AMONG ELITE ACADEMICALLY
The Air Force football team has established itself among the nation's elite academically. The Falcons ranked fifth nationally in Academic Progress Rate (APR) in 2021 with a score with a 994, according to the NCAA's latest multiyear NCAA Division I scores. This season marks the 10th straight year in the top 10. Air Force led the nation in 2019 with a 997 and was second in 2018 with a 993.
The NCAA announcement is part of the overall Division I academic reform effort and is intended to highlight teams that demonstrate a commitment to academic progress and retention of student-athletes by achieving the top APRs within their respective sports. 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 (recruited and on varsity roster for non-scholarship schools). The APR accounts for eligibility, retention and graduation and provides a measure of each team's academic performance.
Air Force APR Scores since 2018
Year Score National Rank
2021 994 T5th
2020 995 T3rd
2019 997 1st
2018 993 2nd
2021 NCAA APR Scores (FBS)
# School APR
1. Clemson 999
Mississippi 999
3. Alabama 997
4. Northwestern 995
5. Rice 994
Air Force 994
FALCON DEFENSE RANKS AMONG THE BEST AGAINST THE RUN
Air Force ranks third nationally in a recent study by Sports Source Analytics of teams giving up the lowest percentage of big rushing plays over the last three years. Georgia leads the way, followed by Iowa. Michigan and Pittsburgh round out the top five. Air Force has ranked in the top 10 nationally two of the last three years in rushing yards allowed, including allowing just 102.2 yards to rank ninth nationally last year.
AIR FORCE VS. NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS
Air Force is 43-27 against non-conference opponents under head coach Troy Calhoun. The Falcons are 27-4 at home, 9-17 on the road and 7-6 in neutral site games. Air Force was 4-1 last season, including a 2-0 mark at home.
AIR FORCE HEAD COACH TROY CALHOUN
• Troy Calhoun leads all active Mountain West coaches in conference wins with 67. Calhoun is second all-time in conference history in wins, trailing only former New Mexico and San Diego State head coach Rocky Long, who had 91. Calhoun became just the second coach in MW history with 50 conference wins when Air Force defeated UNLV, 41-35, Oct. 19, 2018.
• Calhoun ranks fourth nationally in most wins at one school among active head coaches. The coach is 111-75 in 15 seasons. Dabo Swinney of Clemson leads with 150.
• Calhoun's 111 career wins ranks 20th nationally overall. Nick Saban of Alabama leads the way with 269.
• Calhoun is in his 16th season as head coach at Air Force. His tenure is the longest in the Mountain West and fifth longest among active coaches in the nation. Iowa's Kirk Ferentz leads the way in his 23rd season.
THIESSEN LONGEST TENURED OC
Air Force offensive coordinator Mike Thiessen is in his 16th season at Air Force overall and 13th as offensive coordinator. Thiessen is the longest-tenured offensive coordinator in the nation.
As offensive coordinator, Thiessen has led a unit over the last five years that has been in the top four of the nation in rushing each year, averaged 32 points per game, been in the top three nationally in passing yards per completion and among the top 10 in third-down percentage.
AIR FORCE AT HOME
• Air Force is 66-23 in Falcon Stadium under head coach Troy Calhoun.
• 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 just six times overall in school history, four coming under Calhoun.
Year Rec. Notes
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 66-23
AIR FORCE VS. POWER FIVE
Colorado will visit Falcon Stadium Sept 10, becoming the first Power 5 program to play in Falcon Stadium since #13 California in 2004. The Aaron Rodgers-led Bears beat Air Force, 56-14, Sept. 4 to open the season.
Air Force has won three straight vs. Power 5 programs and has a 7-12 record since 2003. The Falcons are 0-2 at home and 7-10 on the road/neutral. Air Force is 5-9 under head coach Troy Calhoun. A closer look at the most recent games follows.
Year Team Result
2021 vs. Louisville (N) W 31-28
2019 vs. Washington St. (N) W 31-21
2019 at Colorado W 30-23 OT
2017 at #7 Michigan L 13-29
2015 vs. California (N) L 36-55
2015 at #4 Michigan State L 21-35
2013 vs. Notre Dame L 10-45
2012 at #19 Michigan L 25-31
2011 at Notre Dame L 33-59
2010 vs. Georgia Tech (N) W 14-7
2010 at #7 Oklahoma L 24-27
2009 at Minnesota L 13-20
2007 at Notre Dame W 41-24
2007 vs. California (N) L 36-42
2006 vs. #8 Notre Dame L 17-39
2006 at #11 Tennessee L 30-31
2005 vs. Washington (N) W 20-17
2004 vs. #13 California L 14-56
2003 at Northwestern W 22-21
ONLY IOWA HAS LONGER STREAK
Air Force has had just two head coaches the last 39 years, as Troy Calhoun enters his 16th season leading the program in 2022. He replaced the legendary Fisher DeBerry, who led the program for 23 years from 1984 to 2006. Iowa is the only other program in the nation with just two coaches during that span. The Hawkeyes have had just two head coaches in the last 45 years. Hayden Fry led the program from 1979 to 1998 before current head coach Kirk Ferentz took over in 1999.
2021 RECAP
Air Force finished the season 10-3 overall and was co-champion of the Mountain West Mountain Division with a 6-2 mark. The Falcons posted double digit wins for the second time in three seasons (2019), fourth time under head coach Troy Calhoun and ninth time in school history. Air Force capped the season with a 31-28 victory over Louisville in the First Responder Bowl in Dallas, Texas, to record its third consecutive bowl win dating back to 2016, including two straight over Power 5 teams. The team was 6-1 away from home, which tied a program record for away/neutral site wins which was first set in 1958. Air Force won the national rushing title for the second straight season and third time overall in program history with a 327.7 per-game average. The Falcons were the only team in the nation to average 300-plus yards. The offensive line, nicknamed the Diesel, powered the rushing attack and became the first Group of 5 team to be a finalist for the Joe Moore Award as the nation's top offensive line. The Falcons had four players earn all-Mountain West honors, as fullback Brad Roberts and offensive lineman Hawk Wimmer earned first team honors while defensive lineman Jordan Jackson and outside linebacker Vince Sanford were named to the second team.
LOCKHEED MARTIN COMMANDERS' CLASSIC VS. ARMY
The Lockheed Martin Commanders' Classic between Air Force and Army in 2021 was the first college football game at Globe Life Field. The two-year agreement continues this season with Air Force and Army playing November 5, 2022. Army won last year's game, 21-14, in overtime. The Texas Rangers will host and operate the games with marketing assistance from Dallas-based LST Marketing.
Globe Life Field is the home of Major League Baseball's Texas Rangers, which played 30 games in the park without fans in the abbreviated 2020 season. The facility then hosted 16 MLB neutral site postseason games in the National League Division (3) and Championship (7) Series and the World Series (6). Games in the final two playoff rounds were played in front of approximately 11,500 fans per game, the maximum capacity allowed by MLB.
Designed with a retractable roof to be a premier multipurpose sports and entertainment venue, Globe Life Field was the home of more than 60 high school graduations in May and June and most recently hosted the 10-night Wrangler National Finals Rodeo from December 3-12 with sellout crowds of 14,500 per performance.
The Globe Life Field seating capacity for the Lockheed Martin Commanders' Classic is expected to approximate the 40,518 figure for baseball. The 1.8 million square foot facility includes sports lighting as well as broadcast locations that are specific to football.
FALCON STADIUM TURNS 60
Falcon Stadium celebrates 60 years during the 2022 season. The stadium opened in 1962 as the home of the Falcons. Air Force is 217-125-4 all-time in Falcon Stadium.
Since the donor-funded stadium opened, it has undergone several significant upgrades. In 1991, the Acaemy installed skyboxes and remodeled the press box. Renovations in the 1990s and 2000s to improve the fan experience increased food and beverage vendors and the additional space brought its capacity to the current 46,692 (down from 52,480). Permanent lights were installed in 2002. Going into the 2016 season, new scorebards were installed, then in 2018 the turf was replaced and the home locker room renovated. Private contributions funded most of these improvements.
The next phase of renovations are on tap following the 2022 season with the goal of transforming the facility into a state-of-the-art, world-class venue.
The Air Force Academy Foundation and the Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation have announced a proposed multiphase Falcon Stadium renovation project as part of the Defining Our Future campaign in support of the Air Force Academy, publicly launched on Sept. 10, 2021.
The investment required for the initial phase will total $70 million, with philanthropic support from the Air Force Academy Foundation providing $35 million as part of the campaign and the remaining half financed by Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation revenue. The current phase is part of a multiphase master plan to upgrade and transform Falcon Stadium and will total about $180 million when finished.
With most of the initial upgrades coming on the east side of the stadium, the proposed plans include a dramatic new stadium entrance, an updated event space, relocation of the cadet section and a heritage plaza. Improved seating, concessions areas, restrooms and merchandise space will offer fans a more modern and comfortable feel as they take in an event.
AIR FORCE WELCOMES SIX NEW COACHES
Air Force welcomes six new coaches entering the 2022 season. The new coaches follow below. Position changes include Brian Knorr moving to defensive coordinator/inside linebackers, Brett Skene taking over as specialist and assistant offensive line coach and Alex Means moving to defensive line.
• Marc Bacote (James Madison, 2010), 1st year, Tight Ends
• Charlie Jackson (Air Force, 2000), 1st year, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Backs
• Ken Lamendola (Air Force, 2011), 1st year, Outside Linebackers
• Nick Toth (Ohio, 1999), 1st year, Safties
• E.J. Whitlow (Findlay, 2010), 1st year, Defensive Ends
• Anthony Wright (Air Force, 2012) 1st year, Defensive Assistant
FALCONS AMONG ELITE ACADEMICALLY
The Air Force football team has established itself among the nation's elite academically. The Falcons ranked fifth nationally in Academic Progress Rate (APR) in 2021 with a score with a 994, according to the NCAA's latest multiyear NCAA Division I scores. This season marks the 10th straight year in the top 10. Air Force led the nation in 2019 with a 997 and was second in 2018 with a 993.
The NCAA announcement is part of the overall Division I academic reform effort and is intended to highlight teams that demonstrate a commitment to academic progress and retention of student-athletes by achieving the top APRs within their respective sports. 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 (recruited and on varsity roster for non-scholarship schools). The APR accounts for eligibility, retention and graduation and provides a measure of each team's academic performance.
Air Force APR Scores since 2018
Year Score National Rank
2021 994 T5th
2020 995 T3rd
2019 997 1st
2018 993 2nd
2021 NCAA APR Scores (FBS)
# School APR
1. Clemson 999
Mississippi 999
3. Alabama 997
4. Northwestern 995
5. Rice 994
Air Force 994
FALCON DEFENSE RANKS AMONG THE BEST AGAINST THE RUN
Air Force ranks third nationally in a recent study by Sports Source Analytics of teams giving up the lowest percentage of big rushing plays over the last three years. Georgia leads the way, followed by Iowa. Michigan and Pittsburgh round out the top five. Air Force has ranked in the top 10 nationally two of the last three years in rushing yards allowed, including allowing just 102.2 yards to rank ninth nationally last year.
AIR FORCE VS. NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS
Air Force is 43-27 against non-conference opponents under head coach Troy Calhoun. The Falcons are 27-4 at home, 9-17 on the road and 7-6 in neutral site games. Air Force was 4-1 last season, including a 2-0 mark at home.
AIR FORCE HEAD COACH TROY CALHOUN
• Troy Calhoun leads all active Mountain West coaches in conference wins with 67. Calhoun is second all-time in conference history in wins, trailing only former New Mexico and San Diego State head coach Rocky Long, who had 91. Calhoun became just the second coach in MW history with 50 conference wins when Air Force defeated UNLV, 41-35, Oct. 19, 2018.
• Calhoun ranks fourth nationally in most wins at one school among active head coaches. The coach is 111-75 in 15 seasons. Dabo Swinney of Clemson leads with 150.
• Calhoun's 111 career wins ranks 20th nationally overall. Nick Saban of Alabama leads the way with 269.
• Calhoun is in his 16th season as head coach at Air Force. His tenure is the longest in the Mountain West and fifth longest among active coaches in the nation. Iowa's Kirk Ferentz leads the way in his 23rd season.
THIESSEN LONGEST TENURED OC
Air Force offensive coordinator Mike Thiessen is in his 16th season at Air Force overall and 13th as offensive coordinator. Thiessen is the longest-tenured offensive coordinator in the nation.
As offensive coordinator, Thiessen has led a unit over the last five years that has been in the top four of the nation in rushing each year, averaged 32 points per game, been in the top three nationally in passing yards per completion and among the top 10 in third-down percentage.
AIR FORCE AT HOME
• Air Force is 66-23 in Falcon Stadium under head coach Troy Calhoun.
• 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 just six times overall in school history, four coming under Calhoun.
Year Rec. Notes
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 66-23
AIR FORCE VS. POWER FIVE
Colorado will visit Falcon Stadium Sept 10, becoming the first Power 5 program to play in Falcon Stadium since #13 California in 2004. The Aaron Rodgers-led Bears beat Air Force, 56-14, Sept. 4 to open the season.
Air Force has won three straight vs. Power 5 programs and has a 7-12 record since 2003. The Falcons are 0-2 at home and 7-10 on the road/neutral. Air Force is 5-9 under head coach Troy Calhoun. A closer look at the most recent games follows.
Year Team Result
2021 vs. Louisville (N) W 31-28
2019 vs. Washington St. (N) W 31-21
2019 at Colorado W 30-23 OT
2017 at #7 Michigan L 13-29
2015 vs. California (N) L 36-55
2015 at #4 Michigan State L 21-35
2013 vs. Notre Dame L 10-45
2012 at #19 Michigan L 25-31
2011 at Notre Dame L 33-59
2010 vs. Georgia Tech (N) W 14-7
2010 at #7 Oklahoma L 24-27
2009 at Minnesota L 13-20
2007 at Notre Dame W 41-24
2007 vs. California (N) L 36-42
2006 vs. #8 Notre Dame L 17-39
2006 at #11 Tennessee L 30-31
2005 vs. Washington (N) W 20-17
2004 vs. #13 California L 14-56
2003 at Northwestern W 22-21
ONLY IOWA HAS LONGER STREAK
Air Force has had just two head coaches the last 39 years, as Troy Calhoun enters his 16th season leading the program in 2022. He replaced the legendary Fisher DeBerry, who led the program for 23 years from 1984 to 2006. Iowa is the only other program in the nation with just two coaches during that span. The Hawkeyes have had just two head coaches in the last 45 years. Hayden Fry led the program from 1979 to 1998 before current head coach Kirk Ferentz took over in 1999.
2021 RECAP
Air Force finished the season 10-3 overall and was co-champion of the Mountain West Mountain Division with a 6-2 mark. The Falcons posted double digit wins for the second time in three seasons (2019), fourth time under head coach Troy Calhoun and ninth time in school history. Air Force capped the season with a 31-28 victory over Louisville in the First Responder Bowl in Dallas, Texas, to record its third consecutive bowl win dating back to 2016, including two straight over Power 5 teams. The team was 6-1 away from home, which tied a program record for away/neutral site wins which was first set in 1958. Air Force won the national rushing title for the second straight season and third time overall in program history with a 327.7 per-game average. The Falcons were the only team in the nation to average 300-plus yards. The offensive line, nicknamed the Diesel, powered the rushing attack and became the first Group of 5 team to be a finalist for the Joe Moore Award as the nation's top offensive line. The Falcons had four players earn all-Mountain West honors, as fullback Brad Roberts and offensive lineman Hawk Wimmer earned first team honors while defensive lineman Jordan Jackson and outside linebacker Vince Sanford were named to the second team.
Players Mentioned
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