Saturday, August 30
USAFA, CO - Falcon Stadium
1:30 pm MT
Air Force Academy
vs
Bucknell
Game 1: Air Force vs. Bucknell
8/25/2025 11:57:00 AM | Football
01.Air Force vs. Bucknell ReleaseBucknell FB Game Notes at Air Force2025 MWFB Weekly Release Week 1Digital Game Program
Saturday, Aug. 30, 1:30 p.m. MT, Falcon Stadium (39,441), USAF Academy, CO
Air Force (0-0, 0-0 MW) vs. Bucknell (0-0, 0-0 Patriot)
Saturday, Aug. 30, 1:30 p.m. MT, Falcon Stadium (39,441), USAF Academy, CO
THE SERIES
This is the first meeting between Air Force and Bucknell.
LOOKING AT BUCKNELL
Bucknell was 6-6 last season and finished third in the Patriot League with a 4-2 mark. The Bison led the league and ranked 41st among FCS teams in scoring with a 28.8 average. Bucknell also led the conference in passing offense (268.3), passing efficiency (148.19), total offense (387.3) and first downs (252). The team is coached by Dave Cecchini, who is in his seventh season with a 19-41 record. He has a 37-79 career record in his 11th season.
AIR FORCE VS. FCS TEAMS
Air Force is 28-0 all-time against teams from the Football Championship Subdivision with all 28 meetings coming in Falcon Stadium. Head Coach Troy Calhoun is 18-0, including a 21-6 win over Merrimack to open the 2024 season.
SEASON OPENERS
• Air Force is 48-19-2 in season openers, including a 42-8 mark at home. The Falcons have won 18 straight and 19 of the last 21 with the only losses coming at No. 11 Tennessee in 2006 and vs. No. 13 California in 2004.
• Air Force has won 19 of the last 20 season openers at home.
• Air Force has an 18-game winning streak in season openers which is the third-longest active streak in the nation, trailing only Ohio State (24) and Alabama (23).
LAST SEASON'S OPENER
Air Force defeated Merrimack, 21-6, in the season opener in Falcon Stadium. Cade Harris gave the Falcons a 14-0 halftime lead with touchdown runs in the first and second quarters. Aidan Calvert added a touchdown run midway through the third quarter to make it 21-0. Merrimack scored on the final play of the game to make up the final margin. Air Force had 237 total yards, including 166 yards rushing. Fullback Owen Allen led the way with 63 yards rushing on 16 carries in his first-career game. Quarterback John Busha added 37 yards rushing and hit 6-14 passes for 71 yards. The defense held Merrimack to 217 total yards and 10 first downs. Grant Uyl led the way with six tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. David Santiago added six tackles and a tackle for loss in his first-career game.
POST-GAME NOTES
Team Notes
• Air Force improved to 1-0 overall.
• Air Force improved to 28-0 all-time vs. teams from the Football Championship Division with all 27 games coming in Falcon Stadium. Head Coach Troy Calhoun improved to 18-0 all-time vs. FCS teams.
• Air Force improved to 48-19-2 in season openers, including a 42-8 mark at home. The Falcons have won 18 straight and 19 of the last 21 with the only losses coming at No. 11 Tennessee in 2006 and No. 13 California in 2004. Air Force has won 19 of the last 20 season openers at home.
• Air Force's 18-game winning streak in season openers is the third-best active streak in the nation, trailing only Ohio State (24) and Alabama (23).
• Air Force improved 41-12 the last five full seasons, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season. The Falcons were 9-4 in 2023, 10-3 in 2022 and 2021 and 11-2 in 2019.
• Air Force improved to 53-28 against non-conference opponents under head coach Troy Calhoun. The Falcons are 32-4 at home. Air Force is 14-2 over the last four seasons.
• Air Force improved to 77-25 in Falcon Stadium under head coach Troy Calhoun.
• Air Force improved to 12-0 all-time in the month of August.
• Sixteen Air Force players made their first career starts: Alex Moore, Michael McAninch, Costen Cooley, Jace Sutulovich, Tyler Lawrence, Bruin Fleischmann, John Busha, Kade Frew, Quin Smith, Jackson Adams, Aidan Swartz, David Santiago, Osaro Aihie, Grant Uyl, K.C. Beard and Levi Brown.
• Air Force game captains were Trey Williams, Jamari Bellamy and Alex Moore.
Individual Notes
• QB John Busha made the first start of his career, posting 37 yards rushing yards. His previous high for rushing yards in a game was 12 last season vs. Robert Morris. Busha completed six passes for 71 yards, both the second most of his career. Last season, he completed eight for 131 vs. Boise State.
• WR Cade Harris scored a career-high two touchdowns on runs of two and four yards. His previous high was one touchdown last season vs. San Diego State.
• FB Owen Allen, in his first collegiate game, had career highs of 16 carries for 63 yards.
• FB Terrence Gist, in his first collegiate game, had career highs of 10 carries for 29 yards.
• Aiden Calvert, Kare Frew, Tylor Latham and Tre Roberson all recorded the first receptions of their careers
• Punter Luke Freer recorded a 54-yard punt. His previous long was a 53-yarder in the Armed Forces bowl game last season.
• NG Payton Zdroik set a new career high with 2.5 tackles for loss. His previous high was two TFL vs. James Madison in 2023 Armed Forces Bowl.
• RB Aiden Calvert scored his second career rushing touchdown, and his first since Nevada in 2022.
• Osaro Aihie, Grant Uyl and David Santiago all had career highs in tackles. Uyl and Santiago finished with six tackles each while Aihie had five.
AUGUST GAMES
• Air Force is 12-0 all-time in August.
• All 12 games have been in Falcon Stadium.
• The Falcons are 3-0 in conference play in August.
• Air Force Head Coach Troy Calhoun is 5-0 in August games.
• This season marks back-to-back seasons with an August game to start the year. The Falcons also did it in 1985-86, 1996-97, 2002-03 and 2013-14.
• The Falcons opened the 2024 season vs. Merrimack, resulting in a 21-6 win.
AIR FORCE VS. NON-CONFERENCE FOES
• Air Force went 2-3 last season against non-conference opponents.
• Air Force is 15-5 over the last four seasons vs. non-conferences foes.
• Air Force is 54-31 against non-conference opponents under head coach Troy Calhoun.
o The Falcons are 33-5 at home, 11-19 on the road and 10-7 in neutral site games.
• Air Force had a nine-game winning streak that stretched over three seasons from 2021-23.
AN AIR FORCE WIN WOULD...
...improve the Falcons to 1-0 this season.
...improve the Falcons' win streak to five dating back to last season, which is the best for the program since opening the 2023 season with an eight-game streak.
...improve the Falcons to 29-0 all-time vs. FSC teams.
...improve the Falcons to 49-19-2 all-time in season openers, including a 43-8 mark at home.
...extend its season opening win streak to 19 games, which is the third-longest active streak in the nation, trailing only Ohio State (24) and Alabama (23).
...would improve the school to 13-0 all-time in August, including a 6-0 mark for Head Coach Troy Calhoun.
...would improve the Falcons to 1-0 this season in non-conference games and 16-5 overall over the last five seasons. AF would be 55-31 under Calhoun in non-conference games.
AIR FORCE WINNING STREAK FOURTH BEST NATIONALLY
• Air Force closed 2024 with a four-game winning streak with victories over Fresno State and Oregon State at home and road wins over Nevada and San Diego State.
• The four-game streak is the best in the Mountain West and fourth best nationally.
Longest Current NCAA Winning Streaks
# Team Streak
1. Ohio 7
Marshall 7
3. Buffalo 5
4. Air Force 4
Memphis 4
Syracuse 4
Illinois 4
TCU 4
Buffalo 4
Florida 4
Ohio State 4
ALL 12 NATIONALLY TELEVISED
Air Force has all 12 games selected for national television in 2025. The schedule also features 11 games on Saturday, with just one moving to Friday.
CBS will broadcast both of Air Force's service academy games, starting with a Noon ET kick at Navy on Saturday, Oct. 4. The Falcons host Army at 10 a.m. MT on Saturday, Nov. 1.
Air Force has six games on CBS Sports Network, including the season opener vs. Bucknell on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 1:30 p.m. The Falcons host defending Mountain West champion Boise State on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 5 p.m. Air Force plays at UNLV Saturday, Oct. 11, at 12:30 p.m. PT then hosts Wyoming Saturday, Oct. 18, at 1:30 p.m. Air Force plays at UConn on Saturday, Nov. 15, starting at Noon ET then hosts New Mexico, Saturday, Nov. 22, at 5 p.m.
Air Force has two road games on FS1, at Utah State, Saturday, Sept. 13, at 7:45 p.m. The Falcons close the regular season at Colorado State with the game moving to Friday, Nov. 28. The kickoff is TBA. Air Force has two other games selected by the Fox Sports family or networks with kickoff times to be announced, starting with Hawaii at home Saturday, Sept. 27 and at San Jose State on Saturday, Nov. 8.
UCONN, BUCKNELL FIRST TIMERS
UConn and Bucknell are first-time opponents for Air Force. The Falcons will visit UConn Nov. 15, while the Huskies will visit Falcon Stadium Oct. 31, 2026, as part of a two-game agreement. Bucknell visits Falcon Stadium Aug. 30 to open the season for both schools.
Saturday, Aug. 30, 1:30 p.m. MT, Falcon Stadium (39,441), USAF Academy, CO
THE SERIES
This is the first meeting between Air Force and Bucknell.
LOOKING AT BUCKNELL
Bucknell was 6-6 last season and finished third in the Patriot League with a 4-2 mark. The Bison led the league and ranked 41st among FCS teams in scoring with a 28.8 average. Bucknell also led the conference in passing offense (268.3), passing efficiency (148.19), total offense (387.3) and first downs (252). The team is coached by Dave Cecchini, who is in his seventh season with a 19-41 record. He has a 37-79 career record in his 11th season.
AIR FORCE VS. FCS TEAMS
Air Force is 28-0 all-time against teams from the Football Championship Subdivision with all 28 meetings coming in Falcon Stadium. Head Coach Troy Calhoun is 18-0, including a 21-6 win over Merrimack to open the 2024 season.
SEASON OPENERS
• Air Force is 48-19-2 in season openers, including a 42-8 mark at home. The Falcons have won 18 straight and 19 of the last 21 with the only losses coming at No. 11 Tennessee in 2006 and vs. No. 13 California in 2004.
• Air Force has won 19 of the last 20 season openers at home.
• Air Force has an 18-game winning streak in season openers which is the third-longest active streak in the nation, trailing only Ohio State (24) and Alabama (23).
LAST SEASON'S OPENER
Air Force defeated Merrimack, 21-6, in the season opener in Falcon Stadium. Cade Harris gave the Falcons a 14-0 halftime lead with touchdown runs in the first and second quarters. Aidan Calvert added a touchdown run midway through the third quarter to make it 21-0. Merrimack scored on the final play of the game to make up the final margin. Air Force had 237 total yards, including 166 yards rushing. Fullback Owen Allen led the way with 63 yards rushing on 16 carries in his first-career game. Quarterback John Busha added 37 yards rushing and hit 6-14 passes for 71 yards. The defense held Merrimack to 217 total yards and 10 first downs. Grant Uyl led the way with six tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. David Santiago added six tackles and a tackle for loss in his first-career game.
POST-GAME NOTES
Team Notes
• Air Force improved to 1-0 overall.
• Air Force improved to 28-0 all-time vs. teams from the Football Championship Division with all 27 games coming in Falcon Stadium. Head Coach Troy Calhoun improved to 18-0 all-time vs. FCS teams.
• Air Force improved to 48-19-2 in season openers, including a 42-8 mark at home. The Falcons have won 18 straight and 19 of the last 21 with the only losses coming at No. 11 Tennessee in 2006 and No. 13 California in 2004. Air Force has won 19 of the last 20 season openers at home.
• Air Force's 18-game winning streak in season openers is the third-best active streak in the nation, trailing only Ohio State (24) and Alabama (23).
• Air Force improved 41-12 the last five full seasons, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season. The Falcons were 9-4 in 2023, 10-3 in 2022 and 2021 and 11-2 in 2019.
• Air Force improved to 53-28 against non-conference opponents under head coach Troy Calhoun. The Falcons are 32-4 at home. Air Force is 14-2 over the last four seasons.
• Air Force improved to 77-25 in Falcon Stadium under head coach Troy Calhoun.
• Air Force improved to 12-0 all-time in the month of August.
• Sixteen Air Force players made their first career starts: Alex Moore, Michael McAninch, Costen Cooley, Jace Sutulovich, Tyler Lawrence, Bruin Fleischmann, John Busha, Kade Frew, Quin Smith, Jackson Adams, Aidan Swartz, David Santiago, Osaro Aihie, Grant Uyl, K.C. Beard and Levi Brown.
• Air Force game captains were Trey Williams, Jamari Bellamy and Alex Moore.
Individual Notes
• QB John Busha made the first start of his career, posting 37 yards rushing yards. His previous high for rushing yards in a game was 12 last season vs. Robert Morris. Busha completed six passes for 71 yards, both the second most of his career. Last season, he completed eight for 131 vs. Boise State.
• WR Cade Harris scored a career-high two touchdowns on runs of two and four yards. His previous high was one touchdown last season vs. San Diego State.
• FB Owen Allen, in his first collegiate game, had career highs of 16 carries for 63 yards.
• FB Terrence Gist, in his first collegiate game, had career highs of 10 carries for 29 yards.
• Aiden Calvert, Kare Frew, Tylor Latham and Tre Roberson all recorded the first receptions of their careers
• Punter Luke Freer recorded a 54-yard punt. His previous long was a 53-yarder in the Armed Forces bowl game last season.
• NG Payton Zdroik set a new career high with 2.5 tackles for loss. His previous high was two TFL vs. James Madison in 2023 Armed Forces Bowl.
• RB Aiden Calvert scored his second career rushing touchdown, and his first since Nevada in 2022.
• Osaro Aihie, Grant Uyl and David Santiago all had career highs in tackles. Uyl and Santiago finished with six tackles each while Aihie had five.
AUGUST GAMES
• Air Force is 12-0 all-time in August.
• All 12 games have been in Falcon Stadium.
• The Falcons are 3-0 in conference play in August.
• Air Force Head Coach Troy Calhoun is 5-0 in August games.
• This season marks back-to-back seasons with an August game to start the year. The Falcons also did it in 1985-86, 1996-97, 2002-03 and 2013-14.
• The Falcons opened the 2024 season vs. Merrimack, resulting in a 21-6 win.
AIR FORCE VS. NON-CONFERENCE FOES
• Air Force went 2-3 last season against non-conference opponents.
• Air Force is 15-5 over the last four seasons vs. non-conferences foes.
• Air Force is 54-31 against non-conference opponents under head coach Troy Calhoun.
o The Falcons are 33-5 at home, 11-19 on the road and 10-7 in neutral site games.
• Air Force had a nine-game winning streak that stretched over three seasons from 2021-23.
AN AIR FORCE WIN WOULD...
...improve the Falcons to 1-0 this season.
...improve the Falcons' win streak to five dating back to last season, which is the best for the program since opening the 2023 season with an eight-game streak.
...improve the Falcons to 29-0 all-time vs. FSC teams.
...improve the Falcons to 49-19-2 all-time in season openers, including a 43-8 mark at home.
...extend its season opening win streak to 19 games, which is the third-longest active streak in the nation, trailing only Ohio State (24) and Alabama (23).
...would improve the school to 13-0 all-time in August, including a 6-0 mark for Head Coach Troy Calhoun.
...would improve the Falcons to 1-0 this season in non-conference games and 16-5 overall over the last five seasons. AF would be 55-31 under Calhoun in non-conference games.
AIR FORCE WINNING STREAK FOURTH BEST NATIONALLY
• Air Force closed 2024 with a four-game winning streak with victories over Fresno State and Oregon State at home and road wins over Nevada and San Diego State.
• The four-game streak is the best in the Mountain West and fourth best nationally.
Longest Current NCAA Winning Streaks
# Team Streak
1. Ohio 7
Marshall 7
3. Buffalo 5
4. Air Force 4
Memphis 4
Syracuse 4
Illinois 4
TCU 4
Buffalo 4
Florida 4
Ohio State 4
ALL 12 NATIONALLY TELEVISED
Air Force has all 12 games selected for national television in 2025. The schedule also features 11 games on Saturday, with just one moving to Friday.
CBS will broadcast both of Air Force's service academy games, starting with a Noon ET kick at Navy on Saturday, Oct. 4. The Falcons host Army at 10 a.m. MT on Saturday, Nov. 1.
Air Force has six games on CBS Sports Network, including the season opener vs. Bucknell on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 1:30 p.m. The Falcons host defending Mountain West champion Boise State on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 5 p.m. Air Force plays at UNLV Saturday, Oct. 11, at 12:30 p.m. PT then hosts Wyoming Saturday, Oct. 18, at 1:30 p.m. Air Force plays at UConn on Saturday, Nov. 15, starting at Noon ET then hosts New Mexico, Saturday, Nov. 22, at 5 p.m.
Air Force has two road games on FS1, at Utah State, Saturday, Sept. 13, at 7:45 p.m. The Falcons close the regular season at Colorado State with the game moving to Friday, Nov. 28. The kickoff is TBA. Air Force has two other games selected by the Fox Sports family or networks with kickoff times to be announced, starting with Hawaii at home Saturday, Sept. 27 and at San Jose State on Saturday, Nov. 8.
UCONN, BUCKNELL FIRST TIMERS
UConn and Bucknell are first-time opponents for Air Force. The Falcons will visit UConn Nov. 15, while the Huskies will visit Falcon Stadium Oct. 31, 2026, as part of a two-game agreement. Bucknell visits Falcon Stadium Aug. 30 to open the season for both schools.
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