Saturday, October 28
Fort Collins, CO
5:00 pm MT
Air Force Academy
at
Colorado State
#19/19 Air Force at Colorado State
10/23/2023 10:41:00 AM | Football
08.Air Force at Colorado State08 23 Colorado State Air Force Game Notes2023 MWFB Weekly Release Week 9Digital Game Program
Saturday, Oct. 28, 5 p.m. MT, Canvas Stadium (36,500), Fort Collins, CO
#19/19 Air Force at Colorado State
Saturday, Oct. 28, 5 p.m. MT, Canvas Stadium (36,500), Fort Collins, CO
THE GAME
• Air Force travels to Fort Collins, Colo., to take on Colorado State on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 5 p.m. in Canvas Stadium.
• Air Force leads the overall series with Colorado State, 38-21-1, including a 27-15 mark in conference games. The Falcons are 22-11-1 at home and 16-10 at Colorado State. Air Force has won six straight and 14 of the last 16 in the series, including three straight at Colorado State.
• Air Force and Colorado State compete each year for the Ram-Falcon Trophy. The 2023 season marks the 43rd year of the trophy competition with Air Force holding a 27-15 lead following a 24-12 win in Falcon Stadium last season.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
• Television: CBS Sports Network
Rich Waltz (play-by-play), Aaron Taylor (analyst), Brandon Baylor (sidelines)
• Radio: KVOR AM 740 in Colorado Springs, 104.3 the Fan in Denver, SIRIUS XM 113 or 204
Jim Arthur (play-by-play), Jesse Kurtz (analyst)
• Live Stats: statbroadcast.com
GENERAL INFORMATION
Category................................. Air Force ......................................................... Colorado State
2023 Record............................ 7-0 (4-0 MW)..................................................3-4 (1-2 MW)
Current Streak........................ W 12............................................................... L 1
Rankings (AP/Coaches)........ 19th / 19th...................................................... NR / NR
Last Week............................... W 17-6 at Navy................................................L 25-23 at UNLV
Next Week.............................. vs. Army (11/4), Empower Field......................at Wyoming (11/3)
Head Coach............................. Troy Calhoun..................................................Jay Norvell
Alma Mater (Yr).................... Air Force (1989).............................................Iowa (1986)
School Record.....................128-78 (17th season)......................................6-13 (2nd season)
Career Record..................... Same..............................................................39-39 (7th year)
Record vs. Opp........................14-2................................................................ 1-3
Location..................................Colorado Springs, CO.......................................Fort Collins, CO
Website.................................. GoAirForceFalcons.com....................................CSURams.com
Conference.............................Mountain West................................................ Mountain West
2022 Record...........................10-3 (5-3 MW/T2nd)........................................ 3-9 (3-5 MW/5th)
THE SERIES
• Air Force leads the overall series, 38-21-1, including a 27-15 mark in conference games.
• The Falcons are 22-11-1 at home and 16-10 at Colorado State.
• Air Force has won six straight and 14 of the last 16 in the series.
• Air Force has won three straight at Colorado State.
• Air Force and Colorado State did not play in 2020 due to COVID, snapping a streak of 42 consecutive years of games dating back to 1978.
• Air Force defeated Colorado State, 24-12, last season in Falcon Stadium.
• Air Force defeated Colorado State, 35-21, in 2021 in the last game in Fort Collins.
• The teams first played in 1957 in Colorado Springs, resulting in a 20-7 Colorado State win.
LAST SEASON
(Nov. 23, 2021) Air Force defeated Colorado State, 24-12, to win for the sixth straight time in the series and ninth straight time at home. The Falcons jumped to a 17-0 halftime lead behind touchdown runs from DeAndre Hughes and Brad Roberts and a 44-yard field goal by Matthew Dapore. John Lee Eldridge III added a touchdown run in the third quarter to make it 24-0, before Colorado State quarterback Clay Millen threw two touchdown passes to make up the final margin. Air Force rolled up 359 total yards, all rushing, and held the ball for 37:29. Roberts led the way, recording career highs of 37 carries for 184 yards and a score. Hughes added a season-high 72 yards and a score while Eldridge added 50 and a score. The Air Force defense was led by Vince Sanford, who had seven tackles and a career-high five tackles for loss, including four sacks. TD Blackmon added eight tackles. The Falcons held Colorado State to 244 total yards and just 22:31 in time of possession. Millen hit 19-of-24 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns.
LAST TIME AT COLORADO STATE
(Nov. 13, 2021) Air Force defeated Colorado State, 35-21, in Fort Collins to register its fifth straight win in the series. The win improved Air Force to 3-0 in Canvas Stadium. John Lee Eldridge III and Brad Roberts powered Air Force with first quarter touchdown runs while quarterback Haaziq Daniels hit Brandon Lewis with a then-school-record 92 yard pass to give the Falcons a 21-7 lead. Colorado State scored at the end of the half to cut the lead to 21-14 at halftime. Dane Kinamon and Roberts added third quarter touchdowns around a CSU score to make up the final margin. The Falcons ran out the clock in the fourth quarter with a 15-play, 60-yard drive that used the final 8:08. Roberts led the way with 151 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries, while DeAndre Hughes chipped in with 108 yards on eight carries. Daniels finished with 121 yards passing and two scores. The defense was led by Camby Goff, who had a career-high 10 tackles. Air Force had 509 total yards, including 388 rushing while CSU had 308 total yards.
THE RAM-FALCON TROPHY
Air Force and Colorado State compete each year for the Ram-Falcon Trophy. The 2023 season marks the 43rd year of the trophy competition with Air Force holding a 27-15 lead following a 24-12 win in Falcon Stadium last season. The Falcons have won six straight trophy titles.
The trophy's origin is tracked back to Shelly Godkin, a former ROTC commander at Colorado State. He watched the teams play in 1978 and sought to translate his impressions into a trophy symbolic of an annual game. The first Ram-Falcon trophy game was in 1980.
AIR FORCE'S 12 GAME STREAK FOURTH BEST NATIONALLY
Air Force has won 12 straight games dating back to last season which is the fourth longest active streak in the nation. The streak is the second-longest in program history, trailing only the mark 13 in 1984-85.
Longest Current FBS Winning Streaks Longest Air Force Winning Streaks
# Team Streak # Years Streak
1. Georgia 24 1. 1984-85 13
2. Washington 14 2. 2022-23 12
3. Florida State 13 3. 1998-99 11
4. Air Force 12 4. 1983-84 10
AIR FORCE ONE OF NINE UNDEFEATED TEAMS
Air Force is one of nine undefeated teams in the nation. The Falcons are the only Mountain West team and one of just three Group of 5 undefeated teams. Air Force is joined in the ranks of the undefeated by Florida State, Oklahoma, Michigan, Ohio State, Liberty, Washington, Georgia and James Madison.
AIR FORCE OFF TO BEST START SINCE 1997
Air Force's 7-0 start is its best since 1997 and tied as the fourth best to start a season in program history.
The Falcons are 4-0 in Mountain West play for the first time in program history. The conference start is tied for second all-time with the 1997 and 1989 teams that opened Western Athletic Conference play at 4-0. The best conference start in program history came in 1985, at 6-0 in the WAC.
Best overall starts in Air Force history Best conference starts in Air Force history
# Year............... Record # Year (Conf.)....... Record
1. 1985.............. 10-0 1. 1985 (WAC)....... 6-0
2. 1958.............. 9-0-1 2. 2023 (MW)........ 4-0
3. 1970.............. 8-0 1997 (WAC)....... 4-0
4. 1997.............. 7-0 1989 (WAC)....... 4-0
2023.............. 7-0
AIR FORCE 38-8 LAST FOUR SEASONS
• Air Force is 38-8 the last four full seasons, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Air Force is 7-0 this season and finished 10-3 in 2022 and 2021 and 11-2 in 2019.
• Air Force, Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Utah and Oregon are the only teams to win 10-plus games the last three full seasons (2019, 2021, 2022).
• The Falcons are 22-6 in conference play during the same stretch. Air Force is 4-0 this season and was 5-3 and finished second in the Mountain Division last season. Air Force shared the Mountain Division title with a 6-2 mark in 2021 and finished second with a 7-1 mark in 2019.
NATIONAL RANKINGS
• Air Force is ranked 19th in both the Associated Press and AFCA Coaches poll this week, which is its highest national ranking since being 15th and 18th, respectively, Oct. 13, 2002. This week marks the second straight week the Falcons have been nationally ranked, as the team was 22nd in both polls last week. This season marks the first time Air Force has been ranked since 2019 when the team was 22nd in the AP poll and 23rd in the coaches poll.
• The regular season ranking is the first since Oct. 3, 2010, when Air Force was ranked 25th in the AP poll. The ranking in both polls in the regular season is the first since Oct. 10, 2010, when the Falcons were 23rd in each poll. Air Force received votes in the AFCA Coaches poll since the beginning of the season and in the AP poll the previous two weeks.
• Air Force won its second consecutive game and third in the last four as a ranked team with its 17-6 victory at Navy Oct. 21. The last win as a ranked team came in the 2019 Cheez-It Bowl as the 24th-ranked Falcons beat Washington State, 31-21, Dec. 27.
• Air Force is 51-24-2 all-time as a ranked team.
2023 AF Week-by-Week Poll Rankings
Week AP Coaches
Oct. 22 19th 19th
Oct. 15 22nd 22nd
2023 SCHEDULE FEATURES GAMES IN ALL FIVE TIME ZONES
The Air Force schedule features five games in Falcon Stadium, including Robert Morris, Utah State, San Diego State, Wyoming and UNLV, along with a home game vs. Army at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver. The Falcons' road schedule features games in all five time zones.
Zone.......... Opponent
Hawaii........ at Hawaii (11/11)
Pacific........ at San Jose State (9/22)
Mountain... at Colorado State (10/28); at Boise State (11/24)
Central....... at San Houston (9/9)
Eastern...... at Navy (10/21)
ROAD STREAK AT SEVEN
Air Force has won seven straight away from home overall and four straight in true road games dating back to last season. Air Force's last true road game loss came last season at Utah State, 34-27, Oct. 8.
Date................ Opponent (Site).................... Result
Oct. 21, 2023... at Navy................................. W 17-6
Sept. 23, 2023. at San Jose State..................W 45-20
Sept. 9, 2023... vs. Sam Houston (NRG).......W 13-3
Dec. 22, 2022.. vs. Baylor (Fort Worth, TX)....W 30-15
Nov. 26, 2022.. at San Diego State................W 13-3
Nov. 5, 2022.... vs. Army (Arlington, TX).........W 13-7
Oct. 15, 2022... at UNLV................................ W 42-7
LAST WEEK
Air Force defeated Navy, 17-6, in Annapolis to record its fourth straight win in the series. Zac Larrier and Dane Kinamon got the Falcons started, connecting on a school-record 94-yard passing touchdown on the first play of the second quarter to put the Falcons up 7-0. Matthew Dapore added a field goal in the third quarter to make it 10-0. Alec Mock added an 18-yard interception return for a touchdown to make it 17-0 late in the fourth quarter. Navy scored a late touchdown to make up the final margin. Air Force had 288 total yards, including 151 passing and 137 rushing. Larrier hit 4-5 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown while Emmanuel Michel added 69 yards rushing on 22 carries. The defense was dominant, holding Navy to just 124 total yards on 64 plays, an average of 1.9 per play. Air Force held Navy to 22 yards rushing on 35 carries. Johnathan Youngblood led the way with a career-high 13 tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss. Bo Richter had a career day, recording seven tackles and 4.0 for loss.
LAST WEEK'S GAME NOTES
Team Notes
• Air Force improved to 7-0 overall for the first time since 1997. The 7-0 start is tied as the fourth best in program history.
• Air Force improved its winning streak to 12 games dating back to last season, which is the fourth-longest active streak in the FBS. The streak is the second-longest in Air Force history and one away from the record of 13, set from 1984-85.
• Air Force improved its winning streak in road/neutral games to seven overall and four in true road games dating back to last season. Air Force's last loss away from home was at Utah State, 34-27, Oct. 8, 2022.
• Air Force improved to 3-0 this season and 12-1 over the last three seasons vs. non-conference opponents. The Falcons have won nine straight and are 51-27 overall vs. non-conference opponents under Head Coach Troy Calhoun.
• Air Force improved to 34-22 vs. Navy, including a 10-12 mark in Annapolis. The Falcons have won four straight and five of the last six overall and two straight in Annapolis. Air Force improved to 31-21 vs. Navy in Commander-in-Chief's Trophy games.
• Air Force improved to a series-best 66-37 in Commander-in-Chief's Trophy competition since 1972. The Falcons can win a series-best 22nd title, and second consecutive, with a win over Army West Point on Nov. 4 at Empower Field at Mile High.
• Air Force quarterback Zac Larrier and wide receiver Dane Kinamon recorded the longest pass and overall play from scrimmage in program history. The two connected on a 94-yard touchdown pass to break the record for longest pass play from Haaziq Daniels to Brandon Lewis of 92 yards vs. Colorado State in 2021. The play matches the 94-yard run by Daniels vs. Florida Atlantic in 2021. The 94-yard play is the longest in Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium history and the longest by either team in the Air Force-Navy series.
• The Air Force defense held Navy without a first down and to nine total yards in the first quarter. The defense held the Midshipmen scoreless, to just one first down and 20 total yards on 24 plays in the first half.
• The Falcons shutout Navy in the first half, marking the third time this season the defense has held an opponent scoreless. Air Force also held Robert Morris and Sam Houston scoreless in the first half.
• Air Force tied a season-high with nine tackles for loss. The Falcons also did the same against Utah State on Sept. 15.
• Air Force has held Navy below 10 points in the last five meetings.
• Air Force held Navy to 124 yards of total offense (22 yards rushing on 35 attempts and 102 yards passing). It was the fewest rushing yards allowed in a game this season and the fourth game allowing 54 or fewer yards rushing. The 102 yards passing allowed was the second lowest in a game this season.
• Air Force has now out-rushed 17 straight opponents dating back to last season.
• Air Force has won 18 straight when forcing two-plus turnovers.
• Air Force had more passing yards (151) than rushing yards (137) for the first time in a game since Dec. 28, 2021 against Louisville in the First Responder Bowl.
• Air Force wore its Air Power Legacy Series (APLS) uniforms honoring the Doolittle Raiders. The Doolittle Raiders were 80 pilots and crew of the 16 B-25B Mitchell bombers who launched the Doolittle Raid April 18, 1942. The series started in 2016 to honor Air Force's flying legacy.
• Air Force game captains were seniors Thor Paglialong (OC), Caleb Rillos (TE), Bo Richter (LB), and Trey Taylor (DB).
Individual Notes
• Junior WR Jared Roznos recorded one catch for 34 yards. Roznos has caught a pass in five straight and six of seven games this season.
• Senior WR Dane Kinamon was part of the school-record 94-yard touchdown pass (below). Kinamon finished the game with that one catch to set a career high for yards receiving. His previous was 80 yards vs. Northern Iowa last season.
• Senior QB Zac Larrier recorded a school-record 94-yard touchdown pass to Dane Kinamon, breaking the record of 92 yards by Haaziq Daniels to Brandon Lewis vs. Colorado State in 2021. Larrier has won his first seven starts, which is tied as the third best start to a career. He is the first Air Force quarterback to win his first seven starts since Nate Romine in 1014-15. Rich Mayo (1958) and Bob Parker (1970) share the program record with eight. Larrier was 4 of 5 passing for 151 yards, which is the second-most passing yards in a game in his career.
• Senior ILB Johnathan Youngblood recorded 13 tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss, which were both career-high's. His previous best for tackles was 8 against Boise State in 2022 and TFL was 1.0 last week vs. Wyoming. Youngblood went over the 100-tackle mark for his career in the game. He now has 108 during his career.
• Senior ILB Alec Mock finished with seven tackles and an interception returned 18 yards for a touchdown. It was the first interception of his career and the first interception ran back for a touchdown since the San Diego State game when Trey Taylor ran one back 30 yards on Sept. 30.
• Senior OLB Bo Richter finished with eight tackles and 4.0 tackles for loss, which are both career-highs. Richter has recorded at least one tackle for loss three straight and six of seven games this season. His previous best for tackles was seven against Navy last year and for loss was 2.0 each of the last two weeks vs. Wyoming and San Diego State.
• Junior DB Jamari Bellamy recorded his first interception of the season and second of his career. Bellamy also had a pass breakup and two tackles.
• Senior DL Caden Blum started for the first time in his career. He recorded the first tackles of his career, finishing with two tackles and 0.5 sacks.
• Senior RB Emmanuel Michel led Air Force in rushing yards with 69 yards on 22 carries.
Saturday, Oct. 28, 5 p.m. MT, Canvas Stadium (36,500), Fort Collins, CO
THE GAME
• Air Force travels to Fort Collins, Colo., to take on Colorado State on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 5 p.m. in Canvas Stadium.
• Air Force leads the overall series with Colorado State, 38-21-1, including a 27-15 mark in conference games. The Falcons are 22-11-1 at home and 16-10 at Colorado State. Air Force has won six straight and 14 of the last 16 in the series, including three straight at Colorado State.
• Air Force and Colorado State compete each year for the Ram-Falcon Trophy. The 2023 season marks the 43rd year of the trophy competition with Air Force holding a 27-15 lead following a 24-12 win in Falcon Stadium last season.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
• Television: CBS Sports Network
Rich Waltz (play-by-play), Aaron Taylor (analyst), Brandon Baylor (sidelines)
• Radio: KVOR AM 740 in Colorado Springs, 104.3 the Fan in Denver, SIRIUS XM 113 or 204
Jim Arthur (play-by-play), Jesse Kurtz (analyst)
• Live Stats: statbroadcast.com
GENERAL INFORMATION
Category................................. Air Force ......................................................... Colorado State
2023 Record............................ 7-0 (4-0 MW)..................................................3-4 (1-2 MW)
Current Streak........................ W 12............................................................... L 1
Rankings (AP/Coaches)........ 19th / 19th...................................................... NR / NR
Last Week............................... W 17-6 at Navy................................................L 25-23 at UNLV
Next Week.............................. vs. Army (11/4), Empower Field......................at Wyoming (11/3)
Head Coach............................. Troy Calhoun..................................................Jay Norvell
Alma Mater (Yr).................... Air Force (1989).............................................Iowa (1986)
School Record.....................128-78 (17th season)......................................6-13 (2nd season)
Career Record..................... Same..............................................................39-39 (7th year)
Record vs. Opp........................14-2................................................................ 1-3
Location..................................Colorado Springs, CO.......................................Fort Collins, CO
Website.................................. GoAirForceFalcons.com....................................CSURams.com
Conference.............................Mountain West................................................ Mountain West
2022 Record...........................10-3 (5-3 MW/T2nd)........................................ 3-9 (3-5 MW/5th)
THE SERIES
• Air Force leads the overall series, 38-21-1, including a 27-15 mark in conference games.
• The Falcons are 22-11-1 at home and 16-10 at Colorado State.
• Air Force has won six straight and 14 of the last 16 in the series.
• Air Force has won three straight at Colorado State.
• Air Force and Colorado State did not play in 2020 due to COVID, snapping a streak of 42 consecutive years of games dating back to 1978.
• Air Force defeated Colorado State, 24-12, last season in Falcon Stadium.
• Air Force defeated Colorado State, 35-21, in 2021 in the last game in Fort Collins.
• The teams first played in 1957 in Colorado Springs, resulting in a 20-7 Colorado State win.
LAST SEASON
(Nov. 23, 2021) Air Force defeated Colorado State, 24-12, to win for the sixth straight time in the series and ninth straight time at home. The Falcons jumped to a 17-0 halftime lead behind touchdown runs from DeAndre Hughes and Brad Roberts and a 44-yard field goal by Matthew Dapore. John Lee Eldridge III added a touchdown run in the third quarter to make it 24-0, before Colorado State quarterback Clay Millen threw two touchdown passes to make up the final margin. Air Force rolled up 359 total yards, all rushing, and held the ball for 37:29. Roberts led the way, recording career highs of 37 carries for 184 yards and a score. Hughes added a season-high 72 yards and a score while Eldridge added 50 and a score. The Air Force defense was led by Vince Sanford, who had seven tackles and a career-high five tackles for loss, including four sacks. TD Blackmon added eight tackles. The Falcons held Colorado State to 244 total yards and just 22:31 in time of possession. Millen hit 19-of-24 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns.
LAST TIME AT COLORADO STATE
(Nov. 13, 2021) Air Force defeated Colorado State, 35-21, in Fort Collins to register its fifth straight win in the series. The win improved Air Force to 3-0 in Canvas Stadium. John Lee Eldridge III and Brad Roberts powered Air Force with first quarter touchdown runs while quarterback Haaziq Daniels hit Brandon Lewis with a then-school-record 92 yard pass to give the Falcons a 21-7 lead. Colorado State scored at the end of the half to cut the lead to 21-14 at halftime. Dane Kinamon and Roberts added third quarter touchdowns around a CSU score to make up the final margin. The Falcons ran out the clock in the fourth quarter with a 15-play, 60-yard drive that used the final 8:08. Roberts led the way with 151 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries, while DeAndre Hughes chipped in with 108 yards on eight carries. Daniels finished with 121 yards passing and two scores. The defense was led by Camby Goff, who had a career-high 10 tackles. Air Force had 509 total yards, including 388 rushing while CSU had 308 total yards.
THE RAM-FALCON TROPHY
Air Force and Colorado State compete each year for the Ram-Falcon Trophy. The 2023 season marks the 43rd year of the trophy competition with Air Force holding a 27-15 lead following a 24-12 win in Falcon Stadium last season. The Falcons have won six straight trophy titles.
The trophy's origin is tracked back to Shelly Godkin, a former ROTC commander at Colorado State. He watched the teams play in 1978 and sought to translate his impressions into a trophy symbolic of an annual game. The first Ram-Falcon trophy game was in 1980.
AIR FORCE'S 12 GAME STREAK FOURTH BEST NATIONALLY
Air Force has won 12 straight games dating back to last season which is the fourth longest active streak in the nation. The streak is the second-longest in program history, trailing only the mark 13 in 1984-85.
Longest Current FBS Winning Streaks Longest Air Force Winning Streaks
# Team Streak # Years Streak
1. Georgia 24 1. 1984-85 13
2. Washington 14 2. 2022-23 12
3. Florida State 13 3. 1998-99 11
4. Air Force 12 4. 1983-84 10
AIR FORCE ONE OF NINE UNDEFEATED TEAMS
Air Force is one of nine undefeated teams in the nation. The Falcons are the only Mountain West team and one of just three Group of 5 undefeated teams. Air Force is joined in the ranks of the undefeated by Florida State, Oklahoma, Michigan, Ohio State, Liberty, Washington, Georgia and James Madison.
AIR FORCE OFF TO BEST START SINCE 1997
Air Force's 7-0 start is its best since 1997 and tied as the fourth best to start a season in program history.
The Falcons are 4-0 in Mountain West play for the first time in program history. The conference start is tied for second all-time with the 1997 and 1989 teams that opened Western Athletic Conference play at 4-0. The best conference start in program history came in 1985, at 6-0 in the WAC.
Best overall starts in Air Force history Best conference starts in Air Force history
# Year............... Record # Year (Conf.)....... Record
1. 1985.............. 10-0 1. 1985 (WAC)....... 6-0
2. 1958.............. 9-0-1 2. 2023 (MW)........ 4-0
3. 1970.............. 8-0 1997 (WAC)....... 4-0
4. 1997.............. 7-0 1989 (WAC)....... 4-0
2023.............. 7-0
AIR FORCE 38-8 LAST FOUR SEASONS
• Air Force is 38-8 the last four full seasons, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Air Force is 7-0 this season and finished 10-3 in 2022 and 2021 and 11-2 in 2019.
• Air Force, Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Utah and Oregon are the only teams to win 10-plus games the last three full seasons (2019, 2021, 2022).
• The Falcons are 22-6 in conference play during the same stretch. Air Force is 4-0 this season and was 5-3 and finished second in the Mountain Division last season. Air Force shared the Mountain Division title with a 6-2 mark in 2021 and finished second with a 7-1 mark in 2019.
NATIONAL RANKINGS
• Air Force is ranked 19th in both the Associated Press and AFCA Coaches poll this week, which is its highest national ranking since being 15th and 18th, respectively, Oct. 13, 2002. This week marks the second straight week the Falcons have been nationally ranked, as the team was 22nd in both polls last week. This season marks the first time Air Force has been ranked since 2019 when the team was 22nd in the AP poll and 23rd in the coaches poll.
• The regular season ranking is the first since Oct. 3, 2010, when Air Force was ranked 25th in the AP poll. The ranking in both polls in the regular season is the first since Oct. 10, 2010, when the Falcons were 23rd in each poll. Air Force received votes in the AFCA Coaches poll since the beginning of the season and in the AP poll the previous two weeks.
• Air Force won its second consecutive game and third in the last four as a ranked team with its 17-6 victory at Navy Oct. 21. The last win as a ranked team came in the 2019 Cheez-It Bowl as the 24th-ranked Falcons beat Washington State, 31-21, Dec. 27.
• Air Force is 51-24-2 all-time as a ranked team.
2023 AF Week-by-Week Poll Rankings
Week AP Coaches
Oct. 22 19th 19th
Oct. 15 22nd 22nd
2023 SCHEDULE FEATURES GAMES IN ALL FIVE TIME ZONES
The Air Force schedule features five games in Falcon Stadium, including Robert Morris, Utah State, San Diego State, Wyoming and UNLV, along with a home game vs. Army at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver. The Falcons' road schedule features games in all five time zones.
Zone.......... Opponent
Hawaii........ at Hawaii (11/11)
Pacific........ at San Jose State (9/22)
Mountain... at Colorado State (10/28); at Boise State (11/24)
Central....... at San Houston (9/9)
Eastern...... at Navy (10/21)
ROAD STREAK AT SEVEN
Air Force has won seven straight away from home overall and four straight in true road games dating back to last season. Air Force's last true road game loss came last season at Utah State, 34-27, Oct. 8.
Date................ Opponent (Site).................... Result
Oct. 21, 2023... at Navy................................. W 17-6
Sept. 23, 2023. at San Jose State..................W 45-20
Sept. 9, 2023... vs. Sam Houston (NRG).......W 13-3
Dec. 22, 2022.. vs. Baylor (Fort Worth, TX)....W 30-15
Nov. 26, 2022.. at San Diego State................W 13-3
Nov. 5, 2022.... vs. Army (Arlington, TX).........W 13-7
Oct. 15, 2022... at UNLV................................ W 42-7
LAST WEEK
Air Force defeated Navy, 17-6, in Annapolis to record its fourth straight win in the series. Zac Larrier and Dane Kinamon got the Falcons started, connecting on a school-record 94-yard passing touchdown on the first play of the second quarter to put the Falcons up 7-0. Matthew Dapore added a field goal in the third quarter to make it 10-0. Alec Mock added an 18-yard interception return for a touchdown to make it 17-0 late in the fourth quarter. Navy scored a late touchdown to make up the final margin. Air Force had 288 total yards, including 151 passing and 137 rushing. Larrier hit 4-5 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown while Emmanuel Michel added 69 yards rushing on 22 carries. The defense was dominant, holding Navy to just 124 total yards on 64 plays, an average of 1.9 per play. Air Force held Navy to 22 yards rushing on 35 carries. Johnathan Youngblood led the way with a career-high 13 tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss. Bo Richter had a career day, recording seven tackles and 4.0 for loss.
LAST WEEK'S GAME NOTES
Team Notes
• Air Force improved to 7-0 overall for the first time since 1997. The 7-0 start is tied as the fourth best in program history.
• Air Force improved its winning streak to 12 games dating back to last season, which is the fourth-longest active streak in the FBS. The streak is the second-longest in Air Force history and one away from the record of 13, set from 1984-85.
• Air Force improved its winning streak in road/neutral games to seven overall and four in true road games dating back to last season. Air Force's last loss away from home was at Utah State, 34-27, Oct. 8, 2022.
• Air Force improved to 3-0 this season and 12-1 over the last three seasons vs. non-conference opponents. The Falcons have won nine straight and are 51-27 overall vs. non-conference opponents under Head Coach Troy Calhoun.
• Air Force improved to 34-22 vs. Navy, including a 10-12 mark in Annapolis. The Falcons have won four straight and five of the last six overall and two straight in Annapolis. Air Force improved to 31-21 vs. Navy in Commander-in-Chief's Trophy games.
• Air Force improved to a series-best 66-37 in Commander-in-Chief's Trophy competition since 1972. The Falcons can win a series-best 22nd title, and second consecutive, with a win over Army West Point on Nov. 4 at Empower Field at Mile High.
• Air Force quarterback Zac Larrier and wide receiver Dane Kinamon recorded the longest pass and overall play from scrimmage in program history. The two connected on a 94-yard touchdown pass to break the record for longest pass play from Haaziq Daniels to Brandon Lewis of 92 yards vs. Colorado State in 2021. The play matches the 94-yard run by Daniels vs. Florida Atlantic in 2021. The 94-yard play is the longest in Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium history and the longest by either team in the Air Force-Navy series.
• The Air Force defense held Navy without a first down and to nine total yards in the first quarter. The defense held the Midshipmen scoreless, to just one first down and 20 total yards on 24 plays in the first half.
• The Falcons shutout Navy in the first half, marking the third time this season the defense has held an opponent scoreless. Air Force also held Robert Morris and Sam Houston scoreless in the first half.
• Air Force tied a season-high with nine tackles for loss. The Falcons also did the same against Utah State on Sept. 15.
• Air Force has held Navy below 10 points in the last five meetings.
• Air Force held Navy to 124 yards of total offense (22 yards rushing on 35 attempts and 102 yards passing). It was the fewest rushing yards allowed in a game this season and the fourth game allowing 54 or fewer yards rushing. The 102 yards passing allowed was the second lowest in a game this season.
• Air Force has now out-rushed 17 straight opponents dating back to last season.
• Air Force has won 18 straight when forcing two-plus turnovers.
• Air Force had more passing yards (151) than rushing yards (137) for the first time in a game since Dec. 28, 2021 against Louisville in the First Responder Bowl.
• Air Force wore its Air Power Legacy Series (APLS) uniforms honoring the Doolittle Raiders. The Doolittle Raiders were 80 pilots and crew of the 16 B-25B Mitchell bombers who launched the Doolittle Raid April 18, 1942. The series started in 2016 to honor Air Force's flying legacy.
• Air Force game captains were seniors Thor Paglialong (OC), Caleb Rillos (TE), Bo Richter (LB), and Trey Taylor (DB).
Individual Notes
• Junior WR Jared Roznos recorded one catch for 34 yards. Roznos has caught a pass in five straight and six of seven games this season.
• Senior WR Dane Kinamon was part of the school-record 94-yard touchdown pass (below). Kinamon finished the game with that one catch to set a career high for yards receiving. His previous was 80 yards vs. Northern Iowa last season.
• Senior QB Zac Larrier recorded a school-record 94-yard touchdown pass to Dane Kinamon, breaking the record of 92 yards by Haaziq Daniels to Brandon Lewis vs. Colorado State in 2021. Larrier has won his first seven starts, which is tied as the third best start to a career. He is the first Air Force quarterback to win his first seven starts since Nate Romine in 1014-15. Rich Mayo (1958) and Bob Parker (1970) share the program record with eight. Larrier was 4 of 5 passing for 151 yards, which is the second-most passing yards in a game in his career.
• Senior ILB Johnathan Youngblood recorded 13 tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss, which were both career-high's. His previous best for tackles was 8 against Boise State in 2022 and TFL was 1.0 last week vs. Wyoming. Youngblood went over the 100-tackle mark for his career in the game. He now has 108 during his career.
• Senior ILB Alec Mock finished with seven tackles and an interception returned 18 yards for a touchdown. It was the first interception of his career and the first interception ran back for a touchdown since the San Diego State game when Trey Taylor ran one back 30 yards on Sept. 30.
• Senior OLB Bo Richter finished with eight tackles and 4.0 tackles for loss, which are both career-highs. Richter has recorded at least one tackle for loss three straight and six of seven games this season. His previous best for tackles was seven against Navy last year and for loss was 2.0 each of the last two weeks vs. Wyoming and San Diego State.
• Junior DB Jamari Bellamy recorded his first interception of the season and second of his career. Bellamy also had a pass breakup and two tackles.
• Senior DL Caden Blum started for the first time in his career. He recorded the first tackles of his career, finishing with two tackles and 0.5 sacks.
• Senior RB Emmanuel Michel led Air Force in rushing yards with 69 yards on 22 carries.
Players Mentioned
DB
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ILB
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DL
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QB
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PK
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RB
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SS
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WR
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WR
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QB
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FB
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OC
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DE
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TE
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RB
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WR
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OLB
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FS
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ILB
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