Saturday, September 30
USAFA
6:00 pm MT
Air Force Academy
vs
San Diego State
Air Force vs. San Diego State
9/25/2023 9:01:00 AM | Football
Air Force Release vs. San Diego StateSan Diego State Notes vs. Air Force2023 MWFB Weekly Release Week 5Digital Game Program
Saturday, Sept. 30, 6 p.m. MT, Falcon Stadium (37,655), USAFA (Colorado Springs, CO)
Air Force vs. San Diego State
Saturday, Sept. 30, 6 p.m. MT, Falcon Stadium (37,655), USAFA (Colorado Springs, CO)
THE GAME
• Air Force hosts San Diego State in Mountain West action Saturday, Sept. 30, at 6 p.m. MT in Falcon Stadium.
• Air Force leads the overall series, 20-18. The Falcons are 11-7 at home, 8-11 in San Diego and 1-0 in neutral site games. San Diego State has won four straight in Falcon Stadium dating back to 2009. Air Force defeated San Diego State, 13-3, last season in San Diego to snap a nine-game Aztecs winning streak in the series and a five-game streak in San Diego.
• Air Force has won nine straight games dating back to last season which is the fifth longest active streak in the nation. The Falcons have opened the season 4-0 for the first time since 2016.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
• Television: CBS Sports Network
Rich Waltz (play-by-play), Aaron Taylor (analyst), Tiffany Blackmon (sidelines)
• Radio: KVOR AM 740 in Colorado Springs, 104.3 the Fan in Denver, SIRIUS XM 381
Jim Arthur (play-by-play), Jesse Kurtz (analyst)
• Live Stats: Statbroadcast.com
THE SERIES
• Air Force leads the series, 20-18, with all games coming as conference foes.
• The Falcons are 11-7 at home, 8-11 in San Diego and 1-0 in neutral site games.
• San Diego State has won four straight in Falcon Stadium dating back to 2009.
• Air Force defeated San Diego State, 13-3, last season in San Diego to snap a nine-game Aztecs winning streak in the series and a five-game streak in San Diego.
• SDSU defeated Air Force, 20-14, in 2021 in the last meeting in Falcon Stadium.
• Prior to San Diego State's nine-game streak, Air Force won three straight from 2007-09
• The Aztecs defeated Air Force, 27-24, in San Diego in the 2015 MW Championship game.
• The team's first played in 1980 in Falcon Stadium, resulting in a 13-10 Aztec win.
LAST SEASON
(Nov. 26, 2022) Air Force defeated San Diego State, 13-3, to snap a nine-game losing streak to the Aztecs. Senior fullback Brad Roberts put the Falcons in front for good, rushing five times for 75 yards and a touchdown on the opening drive, accounting for every play and yard, to give the Falcons a 7-0 lead. Matthew Dapore added a 30-yard field goal in the third quarter to push the lead to 10-0. Following an SDSU field goal in the third quarter, Dapore added a 32-yard field goal with 9:03 remaining to make it 13-3. The defense took over from there, recording a pair of interceptions in the end zone in the fourth quarter by Jayden Goodwin and Trey Taylor to seal the win. Roberts finished with 187 yards and a touchdown on 35 carries and set the Air Force single season rushing record in the process. Air Force finished with 285 total yards and held the ball for 39:13. The defense held San Diego State to 188 yards, including -1 rushing, and eight first downs.
LAST TIME IN FALCON STADIIUM
(Oct. 23, 2021) No. 22/21 San Diego State defeated Air Force, 20-14, in Falcon Stadium. The Aztecs took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter with a field goal following an Air Force interception. SDSU added a Kaegun Williams one yard touchdown run and a Matt Araiza field goal to take a 13-0 halftime lead. Chance Bell scored on a three yard touchdown run on SDSU's opening drive of the second half to put the Aztecs in front, 20-0. The Falcons got on the board with a Warren Bryan to Dalton King 13 yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 20-7 late in the third. Dane Kinamon added a touchdown run with 3:59 left in the fourth to cut the lead to 20-14, but the Falcons were forced to punt in their next possession and the Aztecs were able to run out the clock to win the game. San Diego State had 229 total yards, including 157 rushing. Air Force finished with 259 total yards, including 192 rushing. Haaziq Daniels led the Falcons with 50 yards on nine carries. The defense was led by Trey Taylor, who had a career-best 11 tackles.
AIR FORCE'S NINE GAME STREAK FIFTH BEST NATIONALLY
Air Force has won nine straight games dating back to last season which is the fifth longest active streak in the nation. The streak is the longest by the Falcons since 2019-20 when the team won nine straight. The Falcons have opened the season 4-0 for the first time since 2016. Air Force is 2-0 in Mountain West play for the first time since 2015.
Longest Current FBS Winning Streaks
# Team Streak
1. Georgia 21
2. Fresno State 13
3. Washington 11
4. Florida State 10
5. Air Force 9
AIR FORCE AT HOME
• Air Force is 74-24 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
2023 2-0 Air Force has won four straight dating back to 2022
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 74-24
CURRENT STREAKS
• Air Force has won eight straight games by double figures. The only other FBS team with a longer active streak is Penn State with nine.
• Air Force has won six straight games on the road/neutral sites, including three straight in true road games, all in Mountain West play (San Diego State, UNLV, San Jose State).
• The Falcons have won 17 straight games when forcing two or more turnovers in a game.
• Air Force has won eight straight games vs. non-conference opponents.
• Air Force has held 11 straight opponents to 21 points or less.
• Air Force has out-rushed 14 straight opponents dating back to last season.
• Air Force has scored in 64 straight games dating back to 2017, the sixth longest active streak in the Mountain West.
AIR FORCE 35-8 LAST FOUR SEASONS
• Air Force is 35-8 the last four full seasons, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Air Force is 4-0 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 20-6 in conference play during the same stretch. Air Force is 2-0 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 receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches preseason poll for the fifth straight week. The Falcons received 24 points to rank 36th. The week-by-week results follow:
Preseason (49th/6pts); Week 2 (42nd/7pts); Week 3 (46th/5pts); Week 4 (37th/9).
Air Force is receiving votes in the Associated Press poll for the first time this season. The Falcons received six points to rank 35th. The AP poll appearance is the first since the final poll of last season.
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.
LAST WEEK
Air Force defeated San Jose State, 45-20, in San Jose to improve to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in Mountain West play. The Falcons overcame a 20-10 first-half deficit to increase its win streak to nine straight dating back to last season. The Spartans opened the scoring with Chevan Cordeiro touchdown run, but a missed extra point made it 6-0. Reagan Tubbs hit a 30-yard field goal in his first-career attempt to cut the lead to 6-3. Emmanuel Michel scored the first of his career-best three touchdowns on a 17-yard run to make it 10-6. Kairee Robinson added two touchdown runs to put the Spartans up, 20-10. Michel closed the half with his second touchdown run to cut the lead to 20-17 at the half. The second half was all-Air Force. John Lee Eldridge III scored from five yards out on Air Force's opening drive to put the Falcons in front for good, 24-20. Following a three-and-out, Michel scored his third touchdown to make it 31-20 in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. The Falcons had the ball for 14:10 of the third quarter, running 24 plays to SJSU's three. Eldridge III added his second touchdown of the game while Jet Harris closed the scoring with a touchdown run to make up the final margin. Air Force finished with 428 total yards, including 400 rushing. Michel led the way with 33 carries for a career-high 148 yards while Eldridge III chipped in with 102 yards on 10 carries. The defense held San Jose State to 354 total yards, including just eight in the third quarter and 80 in the second half. Trey Taylor led the way with eight tackles, a tackle for loss and an interception. Alec Mock added six tackles and a forced fumble.
LAST WEEK'S GAME NOTES
Team Notes
• Air Force improved to 4-0 overall for the first time since 2016 and the second time under Head Coach Troy Calhoun. The Falcons improved to 2-0 in Mountain West play for the first time since 2015 and third time under Calhoun (2008).
• Air Force improved its winning streak to nine games dating back to last season. The nine-game streak is the fifth-longest active streak in the FBS. The streak is the longest at Air Force since winning nine straight from 2019-20.
• Air Force improved its road/neutral site winning streak to six games, including three straight in true road games, all in Mountain West play (San Diego State, UNLV, San Jose State).
• Air Force improved to 5-2 overall vs. San Jose State, including a 2-2 mark in San Jose. The Falcons have won two of the last three vs. the Spartans in San Jose.
• Air Force improved to 35-8 overall the last four full seasons, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season. The Falcons are 4-0 this season and finished 10-3 in 2022 and 2021 and 11-2 in 2019. Air Force improved to 20-6 in Mountain West play over the same period.
• Air Force improved to 2-0 this season in Friday night games. The Falcons are 15-6 on Fridays under Head Coach Troy Calhoun.
• Air Force had two running backs go over 100 yards for the second straight week.
• Air Force has held the ball for at least 36 minutes in three straight games.
• Air Force kicked a field goal on its opening drive of the game. The Falcons have scored on three of their four opening drives this season (2 TD, FG). San Jose State scored a touchdown on its opening drive which is the first time an opponent has scored on its first possession. The Falcons had forced a fumble and two punts in the first three games.
• Air Force had held 11 straight opponents below 21 points.
• Air Force has out-rushed its opponents in the last 14 games.
• Air Force game captains for the Utah State game were seniors Thor Paglialong (OC), Ethan Jackman (OL), Alec Mock (ILB) and Trey Taylor (DB).
Individual Notes
• Senior FB Emmanuel Michel carried 33 times for 148 yards and three touchdowns—all career highs. It marked the first time in his career he has had back-to-back games with a touchdown and 100 yards. He had three last week vs. Utah State. The 100-yard game is his second straight and fourth of his career. Michel became the 62nd player in program history to hit 1,000 yards in his career. He ranks 62nd with 1,001 yards.
• Senior RB John Lee Eldridge III rushed for a season-high 102 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns. He went over the 1,000-yard mark for his career. He is the 61st player in program history to rush for 1,000-plus yards. It was his fourth-career 100-yard rushing game. His two rushing TDs were a career high.
• Sophomore PK Reagan Tubbs made his first-career start, replacing Matthew Dapore (illness). Tubbs opened the scoring for Air Force, hitting his first-career field goal attempt (30 yards) in the first quarter.
• Senior DB Trey Taylor recorded a season-high eight tackles. His previous high was six vs. Robert Morris and Utah State. Taylor recorded his first interception of the season and fourth of his career, returning it 51 yards.
• Junior WR Jared Roznos recorded one catch for 22 yards. He has a reception in three of four games this season to lead the Falcons.
• Sophomore FB Dylan Carson recorded career highs in carries and yards with 11 carries for 63 yards. His previous highs were five carries and 50 yards vs. Robert Morris earlier this season.
• Junior RB Aiden Calvert carried five times for 45 yards, setting career-highs for carries and yards. His previous highs were two carries (done three times) and 24 yards against UNLV in 2022.
AIR FORCE LEADS THE NATION IN RUSHING
• Air Force leads the nation in rushing with a 340.5 average. This week is the second straight week and 27th of the last 29 that the Falcons have held the top spot dating back to 2021. Air Force is the only team in the nation averaging 300-plus yards per game.
• Air Force led the nation in rushing last season with a 326.7 average. The Falcons were the only program to average 300-plus yards per game. Air Force went wire-to-wire for the first time in program history, leading the nation since the first week of the season, setting a new school record for consecutive weeks leading the nation with 14. Air Force led the nation 11 straight weeks in 2021. Air Force is just the second school to win three straight titles and the first since 2008.
• Air Force has won the national rushing title four times, the first coming in 2002 with a 307.8 per-game average. National title years: 2002 (307.8), 2020 (305.7), 2021 (327.7), 2022 (326.7).
2023 NCAA Rushing Leaders
# Team (Conf.) Avg.
1. Air Force (MW)............. 340.5
2. Liberty (C-USA)............. 271.2
3. UCF (Big 12).................. 260.2
4. Louisiana (Sun Belt)....... 238.0
5. Louisville (ACC)............. 237.2
AIR FORCE AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS IN FOUR OTHER CATEGORIES
• Air Force leads the nation in passing efficiency for the fourth straight week with a 248.87 mark. The Falcons have hit 8-12 passes for 221 yards with one touchdown. The team is averaging an NCAA-best 27.62 yards per catch.
• Air Force is second in time of possession with a 36:38 mark. The Falcons have won the time of possession battle in all four games, posting 32:00-plus in every game. Air Force possessed the ball a season-best 39:05 vs. San Jose State.
• Air Force is third nationally in third down percentage with a .588 mark. The Falcons have converted 30 of 51 third downs this season, including 19-of-28 the last two games. Air Force was 9-13 vs. Utah State and 10-15 against San Jose State.
AIR FORCE SECOND IN THE NATION IN TOTAL DEFENSE
• Air Force once again has one of the nation's top defenses. The Falcons, who led the nation in total defense for the first time in program history last season, rank second with a 223.0 average. The Falcons are one of just two teams allowing 225 yards per game or less.
• Air Force is 14th nationally in scoring defense. The Falcons have allowed 21 points or less in all four games this season. Air Force allowed just 10 points the first two games.
• Air Force is fourth in the nation in rushing defense, allowing just 62 yards per game. The Falcons have only allowed one 100-yard effort this season. The team allowed 43 yards vs. Robert Morris, 36 vs. Sam Houston, 54 vs. Utah State and 115 vs. Utah State.
Saturday, Sept. 30, 6 p.m. MT, Falcon Stadium (37,655), USAFA (Colorado Springs, CO)
THE GAME
• Air Force hosts San Diego State in Mountain West action Saturday, Sept. 30, at 6 p.m. MT in Falcon Stadium.
• Air Force leads the overall series, 20-18. The Falcons are 11-7 at home, 8-11 in San Diego and 1-0 in neutral site games. San Diego State has won four straight in Falcon Stadium dating back to 2009. Air Force defeated San Diego State, 13-3, last season in San Diego to snap a nine-game Aztecs winning streak in the series and a five-game streak in San Diego.
• Air Force has won nine straight games dating back to last season which is the fifth longest active streak in the nation. The Falcons have opened the season 4-0 for the first time since 2016.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
• Television: CBS Sports Network
Rich Waltz (play-by-play), Aaron Taylor (analyst), Tiffany Blackmon (sidelines)
• Radio: KVOR AM 740 in Colorado Springs, 104.3 the Fan in Denver, SIRIUS XM 381
Jim Arthur (play-by-play), Jesse Kurtz (analyst)
• Live Stats: Statbroadcast.com
THE SERIES
• Air Force leads the series, 20-18, with all games coming as conference foes.
• The Falcons are 11-7 at home, 8-11 in San Diego and 1-0 in neutral site games.
• San Diego State has won four straight in Falcon Stadium dating back to 2009.
• Air Force defeated San Diego State, 13-3, last season in San Diego to snap a nine-game Aztecs winning streak in the series and a five-game streak in San Diego.
• SDSU defeated Air Force, 20-14, in 2021 in the last meeting in Falcon Stadium.
• Prior to San Diego State's nine-game streak, Air Force won three straight from 2007-09
• The Aztecs defeated Air Force, 27-24, in San Diego in the 2015 MW Championship game.
• The team's first played in 1980 in Falcon Stadium, resulting in a 13-10 Aztec win.
LAST SEASON
(Nov. 26, 2022) Air Force defeated San Diego State, 13-3, to snap a nine-game losing streak to the Aztecs. Senior fullback Brad Roberts put the Falcons in front for good, rushing five times for 75 yards and a touchdown on the opening drive, accounting for every play and yard, to give the Falcons a 7-0 lead. Matthew Dapore added a 30-yard field goal in the third quarter to push the lead to 10-0. Following an SDSU field goal in the third quarter, Dapore added a 32-yard field goal with 9:03 remaining to make it 13-3. The defense took over from there, recording a pair of interceptions in the end zone in the fourth quarter by Jayden Goodwin and Trey Taylor to seal the win. Roberts finished with 187 yards and a touchdown on 35 carries and set the Air Force single season rushing record in the process. Air Force finished with 285 total yards and held the ball for 39:13. The defense held San Diego State to 188 yards, including -1 rushing, and eight first downs.
LAST TIME IN FALCON STADIIUM
(Oct. 23, 2021) No. 22/21 San Diego State defeated Air Force, 20-14, in Falcon Stadium. The Aztecs took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter with a field goal following an Air Force interception. SDSU added a Kaegun Williams one yard touchdown run and a Matt Araiza field goal to take a 13-0 halftime lead. Chance Bell scored on a three yard touchdown run on SDSU's opening drive of the second half to put the Aztecs in front, 20-0. The Falcons got on the board with a Warren Bryan to Dalton King 13 yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 20-7 late in the third. Dane Kinamon added a touchdown run with 3:59 left in the fourth to cut the lead to 20-14, but the Falcons were forced to punt in their next possession and the Aztecs were able to run out the clock to win the game. San Diego State had 229 total yards, including 157 rushing. Air Force finished with 259 total yards, including 192 rushing. Haaziq Daniels led the Falcons with 50 yards on nine carries. The defense was led by Trey Taylor, who had a career-best 11 tackles.
AIR FORCE'S NINE GAME STREAK FIFTH BEST NATIONALLY
Air Force has won nine straight games dating back to last season which is the fifth longest active streak in the nation. The streak is the longest by the Falcons since 2019-20 when the team won nine straight. The Falcons have opened the season 4-0 for the first time since 2016. Air Force is 2-0 in Mountain West play for the first time since 2015.
Longest Current FBS Winning Streaks
# Team Streak
1. Georgia 21
2. Fresno State 13
3. Washington 11
4. Florida State 10
5. Air Force 9
AIR FORCE AT HOME
• Air Force is 74-24 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
2023 2-0 Air Force has won four straight dating back to 2022
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 74-24
CURRENT STREAKS
• Air Force has won eight straight games by double figures. The only other FBS team with a longer active streak is Penn State with nine.
• Air Force has won six straight games on the road/neutral sites, including three straight in true road games, all in Mountain West play (San Diego State, UNLV, San Jose State).
• The Falcons have won 17 straight games when forcing two or more turnovers in a game.
• Air Force has won eight straight games vs. non-conference opponents.
• Air Force has held 11 straight opponents to 21 points or less.
• Air Force has out-rushed 14 straight opponents dating back to last season.
• Air Force has scored in 64 straight games dating back to 2017, the sixth longest active streak in the Mountain West.
AIR FORCE 35-8 LAST FOUR SEASONS
• Air Force is 35-8 the last four full seasons, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Air Force is 4-0 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 20-6 in conference play during the same stretch. Air Force is 2-0 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 receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches preseason poll for the fifth straight week. The Falcons received 24 points to rank 36th. The week-by-week results follow:
Preseason (49th/6pts); Week 2 (42nd/7pts); Week 3 (46th/5pts); Week 4 (37th/9).
Air Force is receiving votes in the Associated Press poll for the first time this season. The Falcons received six points to rank 35th. The AP poll appearance is the first since the final poll of last season.
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.
LAST WEEK
Air Force defeated San Jose State, 45-20, in San Jose to improve to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in Mountain West play. The Falcons overcame a 20-10 first-half deficit to increase its win streak to nine straight dating back to last season. The Spartans opened the scoring with Chevan Cordeiro touchdown run, but a missed extra point made it 6-0. Reagan Tubbs hit a 30-yard field goal in his first-career attempt to cut the lead to 6-3. Emmanuel Michel scored the first of his career-best three touchdowns on a 17-yard run to make it 10-6. Kairee Robinson added two touchdown runs to put the Spartans up, 20-10. Michel closed the half with his second touchdown run to cut the lead to 20-17 at the half. The second half was all-Air Force. John Lee Eldridge III scored from five yards out on Air Force's opening drive to put the Falcons in front for good, 24-20. Following a three-and-out, Michel scored his third touchdown to make it 31-20 in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. The Falcons had the ball for 14:10 of the third quarter, running 24 plays to SJSU's three. Eldridge III added his second touchdown of the game while Jet Harris closed the scoring with a touchdown run to make up the final margin. Air Force finished with 428 total yards, including 400 rushing. Michel led the way with 33 carries for a career-high 148 yards while Eldridge III chipped in with 102 yards on 10 carries. The defense held San Jose State to 354 total yards, including just eight in the third quarter and 80 in the second half. Trey Taylor led the way with eight tackles, a tackle for loss and an interception. Alec Mock added six tackles and a forced fumble.
LAST WEEK'S GAME NOTES
Team Notes
• Air Force improved to 4-0 overall for the first time since 2016 and the second time under Head Coach Troy Calhoun. The Falcons improved to 2-0 in Mountain West play for the first time since 2015 and third time under Calhoun (2008).
• Air Force improved its winning streak to nine games dating back to last season. The nine-game streak is the fifth-longest active streak in the FBS. The streak is the longest at Air Force since winning nine straight from 2019-20.
• Air Force improved its road/neutral site winning streak to six games, including three straight in true road games, all in Mountain West play (San Diego State, UNLV, San Jose State).
• Air Force improved to 5-2 overall vs. San Jose State, including a 2-2 mark in San Jose. The Falcons have won two of the last three vs. the Spartans in San Jose.
• Air Force improved to 35-8 overall the last four full seasons, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season. The Falcons are 4-0 this season and finished 10-3 in 2022 and 2021 and 11-2 in 2019. Air Force improved to 20-6 in Mountain West play over the same period.
• Air Force improved to 2-0 this season in Friday night games. The Falcons are 15-6 on Fridays under Head Coach Troy Calhoun.
• Air Force had two running backs go over 100 yards for the second straight week.
• Air Force has held the ball for at least 36 minutes in three straight games.
• Air Force kicked a field goal on its opening drive of the game. The Falcons have scored on three of their four opening drives this season (2 TD, FG). San Jose State scored a touchdown on its opening drive which is the first time an opponent has scored on its first possession. The Falcons had forced a fumble and two punts in the first three games.
• Air Force had held 11 straight opponents below 21 points.
• Air Force has out-rushed its opponents in the last 14 games.
• Air Force game captains for the Utah State game were seniors Thor Paglialong (OC), Ethan Jackman (OL), Alec Mock (ILB) and Trey Taylor (DB).
Individual Notes
• Senior FB Emmanuel Michel carried 33 times for 148 yards and three touchdowns—all career highs. It marked the first time in his career he has had back-to-back games with a touchdown and 100 yards. He had three last week vs. Utah State. The 100-yard game is his second straight and fourth of his career. Michel became the 62nd player in program history to hit 1,000 yards in his career. He ranks 62nd with 1,001 yards.
• Senior RB John Lee Eldridge III rushed for a season-high 102 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns. He went over the 1,000-yard mark for his career. He is the 61st player in program history to rush for 1,000-plus yards. It was his fourth-career 100-yard rushing game. His two rushing TDs were a career high.
• Sophomore PK Reagan Tubbs made his first-career start, replacing Matthew Dapore (illness). Tubbs opened the scoring for Air Force, hitting his first-career field goal attempt (30 yards) in the first quarter.
• Senior DB Trey Taylor recorded a season-high eight tackles. His previous high was six vs. Robert Morris and Utah State. Taylor recorded his first interception of the season and fourth of his career, returning it 51 yards.
• Junior WR Jared Roznos recorded one catch for 22 yards. He has a reception in three of four games this season to lead the Falcons.
• Sophomore FB Dylan Carson recorded career highs in carries and yards with 11 carries for 63 yards. His previous highs were five carries and 50 yards vs. Robert Morris earlier this season.
• Junior RB Aiden Calvert carried five times for 45 yards, setting career-highs for carries and yards. His previous highs were two carries (done three times) and 24 yards against UNLV in 2022.
AIR FORCE LEADS THE NATION IN RUSHING
• Air Force leads the nation in rushing with a 340.5 average. This week is the second straight week and 27th of the last 29 that the Falcons have held the top spot dating back to 2021. Air Force is the only team in the nation averaging 300-plus yards per game.
• Air Force led the nation in rushing last season with a 326.7 average. The Falcons were the only program to average 300-plus yards per game. Air Force went wire-to-wire for the first time in program history, leading the nation since the first week of the season, setting a new school record for consecutive weeks leading the nation with 14. Air Force led the nation 11 straight weeks in 2021. Air Force is just the second school to win three straight titles and the first since 2008.
• Air Force has won the national rushing title four times, the first coming in 2002 with a 307.8 per-game average. National title years: 2002 (307.8), 2020 (305.7), 2021 (327.7), 2022 (326.7).
2023 NCAA Rushing Leaders
# Team (Conf.) Avg.
1. Air Force (MW)............. 340.5
2. Liberty (C-USA)............. 271.2
3. UCF (Big 12).................. 260.2
4. Louisiana (Sun Belt)....... 238.0
5. Louisville (ACC)............. 237.2
AIR FORCE AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS IN FOUR OTHER CATEGORIES
• Air Force leads the nation in passing efficiency for the fourth straight week with a 248.87 mark. The Falcons have hit 8-12 passes for 221 yards with one touchdown. The team is averaging an NCAA-best 27.62 yards per catch.
• Air Force is second in time of possession with a 36:38 mark. The Falcons have won the time of possession battle in all four games, posting 32:00-plus in every game. Air Force possessed the ball a season-best 39:05 vs. San Jose State.
• Air Force is third nationally in third down percentage with a .588 mark. The Falcons have converted 30 of 51 third downs this season, including 19-of-28 the last two games. Air Force was 9-13 vs. Utah State and 10-15 against San Jose State.
AIR FORCE SECOND IN THE NATION IN TOTAL DEFENSE
• Air Force once again has one of the nation's top defenses. The Falcons, who led the nation in total defense for the first time in program history last season, rank second with a 223.0 average. The Falcons are one of just two teams allowing 225 yards per game or less.
• Air Force is 14th nationally in scoring defense. The Falcons have allowed 21 points or less in all four games this season. Air Force allowed just 10 points the first two games.
• Air Force is fourth in the nation in rushing defense, allowing just 62 yards per game. The Falcons have only allowed one 100-yard effort this season. The team allowed 43 yards vs. Robert Morris, 36 vs. Sam Houston, 54 vs. Utah State and 115 vs. Utah State.
Players Mentioned
RB
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RB
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QB
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PK
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RB
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SS
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RB
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OG
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WR
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FB
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OC
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RB
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WR
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FS
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PK
/ FootballFB vs Wyoming recap
Tuesday, October 28
Football Press Conference October 28, 2025
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FB vs Wyoming recap
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Troy Calhoun and Players POST Wyoming
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