Game 1: Air Force vs. Robert Morris
8/28/2023 1:36:00 PM | Football
Saturday, Sept. 2, 11 a.m. MT, Falcon Stadium (Colorado Springs, CO)
Air Force vs. Robert Morris
Saturday, Sept. 2, 11 a.m. MT, Falcon Stadium (Colorado Springs, CO)
THE GAME
• Air Force opens the 2023 season by hosting Robert Morris on Saturday, Sept. 2, at 11 a.m. in Falcon Stadium in the first meeting between the schools. Altitude Sports, Air Force's regional television partner, will televise the game. The game highlights Parent's Weekend at the Academy, where parents of the class of 2027 are invited back to campus.
• This is the first meeting between Air Force and Robert Morris. Air Force has an all-time record of 424-338-13 beginning its 68th season. The Falcons are 236-133-3 at home, 162-184-6 on the road and 26-21-4 in neutral sites. Air Force is 215-120-4 all-time in Falcon Stadium.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
• Television: Altitude
Vic Lombardi (play-by-play), Ted Sundquist (analyst), Katy Winge (reporter)
• Radio: KVOR AM 740 in Colorado Springs, CO, 104.3 the Fan in Denver, Jim Arthur (play-by-play), Jesse Kurtz (analyst)
• Live Stream: GoAirForceFalcons.com / MWNetwork
• Live Stats: GoAirForceFalcons.com
THE SERIES
This is the first meeting between the schools.
LOOKING AT ROBERT MORRIS
The Robert Morris Colonials are located in Moon Township, Penn., a suburb of Pittsburgh. The Colonials are coached by Bernard Clark, Jr., who is in his sixth season. Robert Morris went 0-11 last season and finished sixth in the Big South Conference. Sophomore quarterback Zach Tanner returns to lead the offense. He played in seven games last season and passed for 794 yards on 79-166 passing with three touchdowns. Senior Parker Fetterman is the top returning receiver. He was second on the team in 2022 with 20 catches for 237 yards and a touchdown. Junior kicker Jayson Jenkins returns after leading the team last season, hitting 5-8 field goals with a long of 45 yards. The defense is led by redshirt senior linebacker Joe Casale, who led the team in 2022 with 69 total tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss and a sack. He also had an interception and pass breakup. Fellow redshirt senior linebacker Tony Brown added 68 tackles with 5.0 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries.
SEASON OPENERS
• Air Force is 46-19-2 in season openers, including a 40-8 mark in season openers at home.
• Air Force has won 16 straight and 17 of the last 19 season openers with the only losses
coming at No. 11 Tennessee in 2006 and vs. No. 13 California in 2004.
• The Falcons have won 18 of the last 19 season openers at home with the only loss coming vs. No. 13 California in 2004.
• Air Force has won 25 straight season openers vs. unranked teams dating back to a 34-21
setback vs. Colorado State in 1994.
AIR FORCE HAS THIRD LONGEST STREAK IN NATION
Air Force has won 16 straight season openers, which is the third-longest active streak in the nation. The Falcons trail only Ohio State (23) and Alabama (21).
Longest Active Season Opener Win Streaks
# Team Streak
1. Ohio State 23
2. Alabama 21
3. Air Force 16
4. Cincinnati 11
5. Marshall 9
LAST SEASON'S OPENER
Air Force defeated Northern Iowa, 48-17. The Falcons opened the scoring with an 80-yard touchdown connection from quarterback Haaziq Daniels to Dane Kinamon. Following a Northern Iowa field goal to make it 7-3, Kinamon struck again, scoring on a 71-yard run to put the Falcons up 14-3. Two Matthew Dapore field goals increased the lead to 20-3, then Daniels scored on a 12-yard run to make it 27-3 at the half. Brad Roberts opened the second half with a career-long 71-yard scoring run and Jensen Jones (1 yard) and Jalen Johnson (80 yards) added touchdown runs to make it 48-3. UNI scored two late touchdowns to make up the final margin. The Falcons rolled up 691 total yards, including 582 rushing.
AIR FORCE AT HOME
• Air Force is 72-24 in Falcon Stadium under head coach Troy Calhoun.
• Air Force was 6-1 last season to match the program record for wins in a 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.
• 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 6-1 Matched program record for wins with six, fifth time with six 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 72-24
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)
NATIONAL RANKINGS
Air Force is receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches preseason poll. The Falcons received six points and rank 49th overall.
Air Force closed last season among others receiving votes in both polls. The Falcons ranked 28th with 50 points in the USA Coaches poll and appeared in the poll receiving votes 10 times during the season. Air Force ranked 28th with 40 points in the final Associated Press poll. The Falcons received votes in the AP poll four times during the season, the first three weeks of the season and in the final.
FALCONS CARRY SEVERAL STREAKS INTO 2023
• Air Force has held five straight opponents under 300 total yards of offense.
• The Falcons have forced 21 straight unsuccessful attempts on third down. Air Force held San Diego State (0-10) and Baylor (0-11) without a conversion to close out 2022.
• Air Force has held the ball for 35:00 minutes or longer in four straight games.
• Air Force has led the nation in rushing for 25 straight weeks, including all 14 weeks last season.
• The Falcons have won 15 straight games when forcing two or more turnovers in a game.
• Air Force has won six straight games vs. non-conference opponents.
• Air Force has held seven straight opponents to 21 points or less
• Air Force has scored in 60 straight games dating back to 2017, the sixth longest active streak in the Mountain West.
AIR FORCE 31-8 LAST THREE SEASONS
• Air Force is 31-8 the last three full seasons, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Air Force 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 18-6 in conference play during the same stretch. Air Force 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.
LAST TIME OUT
Air Force defeated Baylor, 30-15, in the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas. The Falcons have won four straight and five of the last six bowl games, including three straight over Power 5 teams. Air Force jumped to a 9-0 lead behind a touchdown from Brad Roberts and a 37-yard field goal from Matthew Dapore. Baylor closed the to 9-7 at the half with the first of two touchdown passes from Blake Sharpen. Air Force quarterback Haaziq Daniels rushed for a touchdown and hit Caleb Rillos with a touchdown pass in the third quarter to push the Falcons lead to 23-7. Roberts added his second touchdown to push the lead to 30-7 early in the fourth. Sharpen thew his second touchdown pass and a two-point conversion made up the final margin. Air Force finished with 379 total yards, including 276 rushing. Roberts led the way with 116 yards and two scores on a career-best 37 carries. Daniels added 81 yards rushing and hit 4-7 passes for 103 yards and a score. Air Force held a 40:03-19:57 mark in time of possession and was 8-16 on third down. The defense was outstanding, holding Baylor to just 11 first downs, 230 total yards and an 0-11 mark on third downs. Jayden Goodwin led the way with nine tackles while Payton Zdroik added four tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack.
AIR FORCE TO PLAY ARMY AT EMPOWER FIELD AT MILE HIGH
Empower Field at Mile High will play host to Air Force's home football game against Army on Saturday, Nov. 4, the 75th anniversary of the Air Force. Since the building opened in 2001, Empower Field at Mile High has hosted 18 Division I college football games. The game on Nov. 4 will mark the first time the stadium has hosted the Air Force-Army rivalry.
"We are looking forward to partnering with the Denver Broncos to host the Air Force vs. Army game this season," Air Force Director of Athletics Nathan Pine said. "Construction on our east side renovation project will not allow us to showcase the service academy rivalry game in Falcon Stadium the way we want to. While the end result at Falcon Stadium will be well worth it, hosting the game at Empower Field in 2023 and working closely with the Broncos staff will create a memorable experience for our players and our fans and will keep the important advantage of playing this game in Colorado."
AIR FORCE INSIDE THE NUMBERS AS MW CELEBRATES 25TH SEASON
• Air Force is a conference-best 20-4 overall and 20-2 at home in season openers. Wyoming's 14 wins ranks second.
• Air Force and Fresno State each defeated a Power 5 opponent in a 2022 bowl game by at least 15 points, as the Falcons defeated Baylor by 15 and the Bulldogs beat Washington State by 23 to mark the first bowl season a non-Power 5 conference has recorded multiple 15-point victories over Power 5 teams since 2011.
• Air Force is 98-82 in the Mountain West in 24 years and 170-122 overall since becoming a charter member of the league in 1999. The Falcons have played in a MW-best 14 bowl games.
• Air Force has posted nine shutouts since the Mountain West's inceptions in 1999, which ranks second only to Boise State's 14.
• Air Force has a MW-best 72-39 non-conference record since 1999. Wyoming's 54 wins is second and San Diego State is third with 52.
Saturday, Sept. 2, 11 a.m. MT, Falcon Stadium (Colorado Springs, CO)
THE GAME
• Air Force opens the 2023 season by hosting Robert Morris on Saturday, Sept. 2, at 11 a.m. in Falcon Stadium in the first meeting between the schools. Altitude Sports, Air Force's regional television partner, will televise the game. The game highlights Parent's Weekend at the Academy, where parents of the class of 2027 are invited back to campus.
• This is the first meeting between Air Force and Robert Morris. Air Force has an all-time record of 424-338-13 beginning its 68th season. The Falcons are 236-133-3 at home, 162-184-6 on the road and 26-21-4 in neutral sites. Air Force is 215-120-4 all-time in Falcon Stadium.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
• Television: Altitude
Vic Lombardi (play-by-play), Ted Sundquist (analyst), Katy Winge (reporter)
• Radio: KVOR AM 740 in Colorado Springs, CO, 104.3 the Fan in Denver, Jim Arthur (play-by-play), Jesse Kurtz (analyst)
• Live Stream: GoAirForceFalcons.com / MWNetwork
• Live Stats: GoAirForceFalcons.com
THE SERIES
This is the first meeting between the schools.
LOOKING AT ROBERT MORRIS
The Robert Morris Colonials are located in Moon Township, Penn., a suburb of Pittsburgh. The Colonials are coached by Bernard Clark, Jr., who is in his sixth season. Robert Morris went 0-11 last season and finished sixth in the Big South Conference. Sophomore quarterback Zach Tanner returns to lead the offense. He played in seven games last season and passed for 794 yards on 79-166 passing with three touchdowns. Senior Parker Fetterman is the top returning receiver. He was second on the team in 2022 with 20 catches for 237 yards and a touchdown. Junior kicker Jayson Jenkins returns after leading the team last season, hitting 5-8 field goals with a long of 45 yards. The defense is led by redshirt senior linebacker Joe Casale, who led the team in 2022 with 69 total tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss and a sack. He also had an interception and pass breakup. Fellow redshirt senior linebacker Tony Brown added 68 tackles with 5.0 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries.
SEASON OPENERS
• Air Force is 46-19-2 in season openers, including a 40-8 mark in season openers at home.
• Air Force has won 16 straight and 17 of the last 19 season openers with the only losses
coming at No. 11 Tennessee in 2006 and vs. No. 13 California in 2004.
• The Falcons have won 18 of the last 19 season openers at home with the only loss coming vs. No. 13 California in 2004.
• Air Force has won 25 straight season openers vs. unranked teams dating back to a 34-21
setback vs. Colorado State in 1994.
AIR FORCE HAS THIRD LONGEST STREAK IN NATION
Air Force has won 16 straight season openers, which is the third-longest active streak in the nation. The Falcons trail only Ohio State (23) and Alabama (21).
Longest Active Season Opener Win Streaks
# Team Streak
1. Ohio State 23
2. Alabama 21
3. Air Force 16
4. Cincinnati 11
5. Marshall 9
LAST SEASON'S OPENER
Air Force defeated Northern Iowa, 48-17. The Falcons opened the scoring with an 80-yard touchdown connection from quarterback Haaziq Daniels to Dane Kinamon. Following a Northern Iowa field goal to make it 7-3, Kinamon struck again, scoring on a 71-yard run to put the Falcons up 14-3. Two Matthew Dapore field goals increased the lead to 20-3, then Daniels scored on a 12-yard run to make it 27-3 at the half. Brad Roberts opened the second half with a career-long 71-yard scoring run and Jensen Jones (1 yard) and Jalen Johnson (80 yards) added touchdown runs to make it 48-3. UNI scored two late touchdowns to make up the final margin. The Falcons rolled up 691 total yards, including 582 rushing.
AIR FORCE AT HOME
• Air Force is 72-24 in Falcon Stadium under head coach Troy Calhoun.
• Air Force was 6-1 last season to match the program record for wins in a 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.
• 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 6-1 Matched program record for wins with six, fifth time with six 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 72-24
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)
NATIONAL RANKINGS
Air Force is receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches preseason poll. The Falcons received six points and rank 49th overall.
Air Force closed last season among others receiving votes in both polls. The Falcons ranked 28th with 50 points in the USA Coaches poll and appeared in the poll receiving votes 10 times during the season. Air Force ranked 28th with 40 points in the final Associated Press poll. The Falcons received votes in the AP poll four times during the season, the first three weeks of the season and in the final.
FALCONS CARRY SEVERAL STREAKS INTO 2023
• Air Force has held five straight opponents under 300 total yards of offense.
• The Falcons have forced 21 straight unsuccessful attempts on third down. Air Force held San Diego State (0-10) and Baylor (0-11) without a conversion to close out 2022.
• Air Force has held the ball for 35:00 minutes or longer in four straight games.
• Air Force has led the nation in rushing for 25 straight weeks, including all 14 weeks last season.
• The Falcons have won 15 straight games when forcing two or more turnovers in a game.
• Air Force has won six straight games vs. non-conference opponents.
• Air Force has held seven straight opponents to 21 points or less
• Air Force has scored in 60 straight games dating back to 2017, the sixth longest active streak in the Mountain West.
AIR FORCE 31-8 LAST THREE SEASONS
• Air Force is 31-8 the last three full seasons, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Air Force 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 18-6 in conference play during the same stretch. Air Force 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.
LAST TIME OUT
Air Force defeated Baylor, 30-15, in the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas. The Falcons have won four straight and five of the last six bowl games, including three straight over Power 5 teams. Air Force jumped to a 9-0 lead behind a touchdown from Brad Roberts and a 37-yard field goal from Matthew Dapore. Baylor closed the to 9-7 at the half with the first of two touchdown passes from Blake Sharpen. Air Force quarterback Haaziq Daniels rushed for a touchdown and hit Caleb Rillos with a touchdown pass in the third quarter to push the Falcons lead to 23-7. Roberts added his second touchdown to push the lead to 30-7 early in the fourth. Sharpen thew his second touchdown pass and a two-point conversion made up the final margin. Air Force finished with 379 total yards, including 276 rushing. Roberts led the way with 116 yards and two scores on a career-best 37 carries. Daniels added 81 yards rushing and hit 4-7 passes for 103 yards and a score. Air Force held a 40:03-19:57 mark in time of possession and was 8-16 on third down. The defense was outstanding, holding Baylor to just 11 first downs, 230 total yards and an 0-11 mark on third downs. Jayden Goodwin led the way with nine tackles while Payton Zdroik added four tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack.
AIR FORCE TO PLAY ARMY AT EMPOWER FIELD AT MILE HIGH
Empower Field at Mile High will play host to Air Force's home football game against Army on Saturday, Nov. 4, the 75th anniversary of the Air Force. Since the building opened in 2001, Empower Field at Mile High has hosted 18 Division I college football games. The game on Nov. 4 will mark the first time the stadium has hosted the Air Force-Army rivalry.
"We are looking forward to partnering with the Denver Broncos to host the Air Force vs. Army game this season," Air Force Director of Athletics Nathan Pine said. "Construction on our east side renovation project will not allow us to showcase the service academy rivalry game in Falcon Stadium the way we want to. While the end result at Falcon Stadium will be well worth it, hosting the game at Empower Field in 2023 and working closely with the Broncos staff will create a memorable experience for our players and our fans and will keep the important advantage of playing this game in Colorado."
AIR FORCE INSIDE THE NUMBERS AS MW CELEBRATES 25TH SEASON
• Air Force is a conference-best 20-4 overall and 20-2 at home in season openers. Wyoming's 14 wins ranks second.
• Air Force and Fresno State each defeated a Power 5 opponent in a 2022 bowl game by at least 15 points, as the Falcons defeated Baylor by 15 and the Bulldogs beat Washington State by 23 to mark the first bowl season a non-Power 5 conference has recorded multiple 15-point victories over Power 5 teams since 2011.
• Air Force is 98-82 in the Mountain West in 24 years and 170-122 overall since becoming a charter member of the league in 1999. The Falcons have played in a MW-best 14 bowl games.
• Air Force has posted nine shutouts since the Mountain West's inceptions in 1999, which ranks second only to Boise State's 14.
• Air Force has a MW-best 72-39 non-conference record since 1999. Wyoming's 54 wins is second and San Diego State is third with 52.
Players Mentioned
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