Saturday, September 26
Reno, NV
8:30 pm MT
Air Force Academy
at
Nevada
Game 3: Air Force at Nevada
9/21/2026 8:24:00 AM | Football
Saturday, Sept. 26, 8:30 p.m. MT, Mackay Stadium (30,000), Reno, NV
Game 3: Air Force at Nevada
Saturday, Sept. 26, 8:30 p.m. MT, Mackay Stadium (30,000), Reno, NV
BROADCAST INFORMATION
• Television: Fox Sports (FS1)
Please visit FOX One for streaming HERE.
Noah Reed (play-by-play), Petros Papadakis (analyst)
• Radio: KVOR AM 740, Colorado Springs; SIRIUS 265 (APP 975)
Jim Arthur (play-by-play), Jesse Kurtz (analyst)
THE BREAKDOWN
• Air Force and Nevada are playing for the ninth time, all as conference foes. The Falcons lead the series, 6-2. Air Force is 3-1 at home and 3-1 at Nevada.
• Air Force is coming off its lone open week of the season. This week begins a stretch of 10 straight weeks with a game. Air Force is 8-11 following an open week under head coach Troy Calhoun. The Falcons are 3-3 at home, 4-7 on the road and 1-1 in neutral site games. The Falcons have lost three straight dating back to 2022.
• Air Force is 7-12 in road openers under Head Coach Troy Calhoun. Air Force is 2-4 against Mountain West opponents in road openers and have lost two straight.
THE SERIES
• Air Force and Nevada are playing for the ninth time, all as conference foes
• The Falcons lead the series, 6-2
• Air Force is 3-1 at home and 3-1 at Nevada
• Air Force has won three straight and five of the last six in the series dating back to 2014
• Six of the eight meetings have been decided by seven points or less
• Two of the meetings have gone to overtime, including a three overtime game in 2021
• Air Force defeated Nevada, 22-19, in the last meeting in 2024 in Reno
• The team's first played in 2012 in Falcon Stadium, resulting in a 48-31 Air Force win
THE LAST TIME
(Nov. 23, 2024) Air Force defeated Nevada, 22-19, to win its third straight game. Dylan Carson scored on an 11-yard run to put the Falcons in front 7-0 early in the second quarter. Nevada kicked a pair of field goals to cut the lead to 7-6 at halftime. The Wolf Pack took the lead, 12-7, on a touchdown pass from Brendon Lewis to Jaden Smith. Owen Allen put the Falcons ahead for good, 15-12, with a nine-yard touchdown run and two-point conversion run early in the fourth quarter. Osaro Aihie recorded his first-career interception on the next drive and Quentin Hayes turned the turnover into points with a one-yard run to make it 22-12. Nevada added a touchdown pass with four seconds left to make up the final margin. The Falcons had 318 total yards, all rushing. Allen led the way with 107 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. Aihie led the defense with seven tackles and an interception. Lewis led Nevada hitting 22-35 passes for 268 yards as Nevada had 362 total yards.
LOOKING AT NEVADA
• Nevada is 1-2 this season. This week is the Mountain West opener for the Wolf Pack.
• Nevada has multiple players on national watch lists, including OL Jack Foster (Outland), DL Dylan LaBarbera (Bronco Nagurski, Lombardi, Bednarik, East-West Shrine Bowl), RB Herschel Turner (Doak Walker) and RB/KR Ky Woods (AFCA Good Works, Wuerffel).
• Nevada leads the MW in red zone offense, scoring 88.9 percent of the time, matching Air Force. The Wolf Pack has allowed just .33 sacks per game, which leads the MW and ranks second nationally.
• Dominic Kelley leads the team in rushing with 281 yards on 41 carries. He is averaging a MW-best 6.9 yards per carry. Carter Jones leads Nevada in passing, hitting 24-40 passes for 348 yards and two touchdowns. Damien Morgan is the top receiver with 13 catches for 105 yards. EJ Smith leads the defense with 34 total tackles, including a MW-best 3.5 tackles for loss for nine yards. He also leads the MW in solo tackles with 6.67 per game.
• Air Force sophomore Alexander Perez is the lone Falcon from Nevada. Perez is a native of Henderson, Nev., and played at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas.
FOLLOWING AN OPEN WEEK
• Air Force is coming off its lone open week of the season.
• This week begins a stretch of 10 straight weeks with a game.
• Air Force is 8-11 following an open week under head coach Troy Calhoun. The Falcons are 3-3 at home, 4-7 on the road and 1-1 in neutral site games. The Falcons have lost three straight dating back to 2022.
• Air Force is playing Nevada following an open week for the first time.
• Air Force is 4-5 in conference play, including a 2-1 mark at home and 2-4 mark on the road.
• Air Force lost at Utah State, 49-30, last season following the only open week on the schedule.
ROAD OPENERS
• Air Force is 7-12 in road openers under Head Coach Troy Calhoun.
• The Falcons have lost two straight and three of the last four dating back to 2021.
• Air Force is 2-4 against Mountain West opponents in road openers and have lost two straight.
• Six of the 12 losses have come at Power 4 programs.
AN AIR FORCE WIN WOULD.....
• Air Force would improve to 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the Mountain West.
• Air Force's 2-1 record would be its best through three games since 2023.
• Air Force would be 1-0 on the road, winning the road opener for the first time since 2023 at Sam Houston State.
• Air Force would improve to 8-12 in road openers under Head Coach Troy Calhoun.
• Air Force would improve to 7-2 all-time vs. Nevada, including a 4-1 mark in Reno.
• Air Force would win its fourth straight game vs. Nevada.
• Air Force would improve to 8-12 following an open week under Troy Calhoun.
• Air Force would snap a three-game losing streak in games following an open week.
LAST GAME
North Dakota State defeated Air Force, 38-32, in Falcon Stadium on Sept. 5 in the Mountain West opener for both schools. The Bison jumped to a 7-0 lead on a 31 yard touchdown run by Myles Mitchell. After forcing a three-and-out, the Bison scored again on a 17 yard touchdown run by quarterback Nathan Hayes to take a 14-0 lead. The Falcons got on the board when Mason Hayes hit Adam Hrynciw on a 29 yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 14-7. The Bison answered with a Hayes to Mekhi Collins 44-yard touchdown pass to take a 21-7 lead. NDSU was threatening again when Blake Fletcher made an interception and return it 85 yards to cut the lead to 21-13. Mitchell added his second TD run to extend the lead to 28-13 at the half. Hayes opened the second half with his second touchdown pass, this one from 41 yards to Logan Conklin to extend the lead to 35-13. Liam Szarka and Kemper Hodges added fourth quarter touchdown runs to cut the lead to 35-25. Following a 56 yard field goal from Drew Klein, the Falcons scored on an Evan Medders 20 yard touchdown pass to Matt Long with 1:58 remaining to make up the final margin. NDSU recovered an onside kick to clinch it. The Bison had 374 total yards, including 146 rushing and 228 passing. Hayes hit 15-23 passes for 228 yards. Air Force had 386 total yards, including 207 rushing and 179 passing. Szarka had 88 yards rushing and a touchdown while hitting 5-10 passes for 103 yards. Blake Fletcher led the defense with a career-best 14 tackles while Dallas Daley added a career-best 11.
LAST GAME'S POST-GAME NOTES
Team
• The Mason Hayes-Adam Hrynciw touchdown pass and catch in the second quarter was the first passing touchdown by the Falcons this season.
• Air Force's game captains this week were LB Blake Fletcher, LB Dallas Daley, QB Liam Szarka and OL Luke Vonderhaar. Fletcher and Szarka were also captains vs. Duquesne.
Individual Notes
• Junior P Will Duncan's 67-yard punt in the first quarter is a career-long. He added a 60-yarder in the third quarter and had a 62-yarder last week vs. Duquesne. Three of his five punts this season have gone for 60+ yards.
• Junior WR Mason Hayes completed the first pass of his career for a 29-yard touchdown to Adam Hrynciw. The reception for Hrynciw was the first catch and score of his career.
• Senior LB Blake Fletcher scored the first touchdown of his career on an 85-yard interception return which is the second interception of his career. The 85-yard return ties as the seventh-longest for a touchdown in school history and is the longest since Tre Bugg returned one 92 yards vs. Hawaii in 2021. The INT TD is the first for a score for the Falcons since Alec Mock vs. Navy Oct. 21, 2023 (18 yards). Fletcher added a career-high 14 tackles, besting his previous high of 11 vs. New Mexico in 2025.
• Senior LB Dallas Daley had a career-high 11 tackles. His previous high was seven vs. Army in 2025.
• Junior QB Liam Szarka became the 65th player in program history to rush for 1,000 career yards. Szarka rushed for 88 yards vs. NDSU and now ranks 62nd in Air Force history with 1061 yards. Szarka is the 16th quarterback in program history to reach the 1,000-yard milestone. Szarka has a rushing touchdown in each game this season and three for the season.
• Sophomore WR Sylas Maiava-Alaimalo had the first two receptions of his career.
• Junior WR Matt Long had a 35-yard reception, the longest of his career. Long scored the first touchdown of his career on a 20-yard reception in the fourth quarter.
• Senior TE Simon Kibbee had the first two receptions of his career.
• Junior DE Antonio Menard had a career-high four tackles.
AIR FORCE NOTES
• Air Force has scored in 99 consecutive games since it's last shutout, Nov. 4, 2017 vs. Army (21-0). That streak is the fourth longest active streak in the Mountain West.
• Air Force is 38-30 in September under Head Coach Troy Calhoun.
AIR FORCE OFFENSIVE NOTES
• Air Force leads the nation in fourth down conversions, going a perfect four-for-four.
• Air Force has not fumbled the ball this season, a total of 144 plays.
• Air Force is second in the MW and ninth nationally in sacks allowed with a .50 average.
• Air Force leads the MW and ranks third nationally in time of possession with a 35:52 mark.
• Air Force had 18 players carry the ball vs. Duquesne and lost just three yards on 71 carries. The Falcons averaged 6.1 yards per carry.
• Air Force's three pass completions vs. Duquesne went to three different receivers. The Falcons have 12 completions this season, going to six different receivers.
AIR FORCE RUSHING
• Air Force leads the Mountain West and ranks third nationally in rushing (319.0 average).
• Air Force won three straight national rushing titles from 2020-22. The Falcons are just the second school to win three straight titles and first since 2008. Air Force was the only program to average over 300 yards each season.
• Air Force went wire-to-wire for the first time in program history while winning the 2022 title, leading the nation since the first week of the season, setting a new school record for consecutive weeks leading the nation with 15.
• Air Force has won the national rushing title four times overall in program history. National title years: 2002 (307.8), 2020 (305.7), 2021 (327.7), 2022 (326.7).
• Air Force has ranked in the nation's top 10 in 13 straight years and 43 of the last 45.
THE DIESEL STORY
• The Air Force offensive line is nicknamed the Diesel. The background dates to 2018 when center Christopher Mitchell happened to be walking through the locker room and bumped into tight end Lesley Dalger, who referred to Mitchell as a diesel. The lineman took it and ran with it. The group developed a motto of "It starts with us" meaning that if the offensive line doesn't have a solid game it will be difficult to win. The group takes that mentality to practice every day. They have a blue-collar, bring-your-lunch-pail-to-work mentality. The linemen have hats with a diesel pump and a drop of fuel on the front. Legend has it that they found the hats at a truck stop. The mother of a former Falcon, Wolfgang Rehbock, helped secure 20-25 hats to get it started. Offensive linemen have to earn the hat, but they also give them out to other position players that they feel take on their mentality. There is an official ceremony when a player earns the hat, which is voted on by seniors on the offensive line. The ceremony is shrouded in secrecy, as the members do not discuss it.
• The group is off to a good start this season, helping the Falcons rush for 431 yards while holding the ball for 40:50 in the season opener. The Falcons rank fifth nationally in rushing with a 319.0 average. The group has only allowed one sack.
Air Force Diesel Rushing Results
Year Stats MW NCAA
2018 283.5 1st 5th
2019 298.5 1st 2nd
2020 305.7* 1st 1st
2021 327.7* 1st 1st
2022 326.7* 1st 1st
2023 281.5 1st 2nd
2024 224.0 4th 10th
2025 261.4 1st 3rd
2026 319.0 1st 3rd
* - Only team in the nation with 300-plus
AIR FORCE DEFENSIVE NOTES
• Air Force has held six of the last eight opponents to 21 points or less dating back to last season. The Falcons held Wyoming to 21, Army 20, San Jose State 16, New Mexico 20, Colorado State 21 and Duquesne 0.
• Air Force has the fourth-most improved defense from 2025, improving by 182.7 yards per game. The Falcons allowed 423.2 last season, compared to 240.5 this season.
• Air Force ranks second in the MW and 37th nationally in third-down defense (.304), second in the MW and 10th nationally in defensive TDs (1), second in the MW and 17th nationally in passing yards allowed (140.5), third in the MW and 15 nationally in red zone defense (.667) and second in the MW, first in the MW and second nationally in first down defense (26) and 15th nationally in total defense (240.5).
• Air Force has scored a defensive touchdown, as Blake Fletcher returned an interception 85 yards for a touchdown vs. North Dakota State. The 85 yard return ties as the seventh longest in program and is the longest since 2021. The INT return for a TD is the first since 2023.
• Air Force held Duquesne to just 107 yards of total offense, the seventh fewest in school history and the fewest since the Falcons held Sam Houston to 80 yards in 2023.
• The shutout for Air Force was the first since a 28-0 win over Oregon State in 2024. It was the largest margin of victory in a shutout since a 38-0 win over Stony Brook to open the 2018 season.
KICKING GAME NOTES
• Air Force is 6-7 this season in extra points. The Falcons had hit 80 straight dating back to the Colorado State game in 2023 before a block vs. North Dakota State.
• Air Force leads the MW and ranks 20th nationally in net punting with a 44.0 average.
• Punter Will Duncan is averaging 56.0 yards per punt this season. He has a long of 67 yards and two other punts of 60-plus yards. He would lead the nation in punting, but does not qualify for the national stats due to lack of attempts. Kade Reynolds of Duke leads the nation with a 50.9 average while Bart Edmiston of Wyoming leads the MW and ranks third nationally with a 48.5 average.
• Kicker Carter Cremascoli has 10 touchbacks on 13 kickoffs this season.
• Air Force's deep snapper, junior Jake Helms, and holder, junior Rocco D'Angelo, are both new this season. Cremascoli and Duncan are also new this season. Helms is the only one of the four to appear in a game before this season. He played in one game last season.
Saturday, Sept. 26, 8:30 p.m. MT, Mackay Stadium (30,000), Reno, NV
BROADCAST INFORMATION
• Television: Fox Sports (FS1)
Please visit FOX One for streaming HERE.
Noah Reed (play-by-play), Petros Papadakis (analyst)
• Radio: KVOR AM 740, Colorado Springs; SIRIUS 265 (APP 975)
Jim Arthur (play-by-play), Jesse Kurtz (analyst)
THE BREAKDOWN
• Air Force and Nevada are playing for the ninth time, all as conference foes. The Falcons lead the series, 6-2. Air Force is 3-1 at home and 3-1 at Nevada.
• Air Force is coming off its lone open week of the season. This week begins a stretch of 10 straight weeks with a game. Air Force is 8-11 following an open week under head coach Troy Calhoun. The Falcons are 3-3 at home, 4-7 on the road and 1-1 in neutral site games. The Falcons have lost three straight dating back to 2022.
• Air Force is 7-12 in road openers under Head Coach Troy Calhoun. Air Force is 2-4 against Mountain West opponents in road openers and have lost two straight.
THE SERIES
• Air Force and Nevada are playing for the ninth time, all as conference foes
• The Falcons lead the series, 6-2
• Air Force is 3-1 at home and 3-1 at Nevada
• Air Force has won three straight and five of the last six in the series dating back to 2014
• Six of the eight meetings have been decided by seven points or less
• Two of the meetings have gone to overtime, including a three overtime game in 2021
• Air Force defeated Nevada, 22-19, in the last meeting in 2024 in Reno
• The team's first played in 2012 in Falcon Stadium, resulting in a 48-31 Air Force win
THE LAST TIME
(Nov. 23, 2024) Air Force defeated Nevada, 22-19, to win its third straight game. Dylan Carson scored on an 11-yard run to put the Falcons in front 7-0 early in the second quarter. Nevada kicked a pair of field goals to cut the lead to 7-6 at halftime. The Wolf Pack took the lead, 12-7, on a touchdown pass from Brendon Lewis to Jaden Smith. Owen Allen put the Falcons ahead for good, 15-12, with a nine-yard touchdown run and two-point conversion run early in the fourth quarter. Osaro Aihie recorded his first-career interception on the next drive and Quentin Hayes turned the turnover into points with a one-yard run to make it 22-12. Nevada added a touchdown pass with four seconds left to make up the final margin. The Falcons had 318 total yards, all rushing. Allen led the way with 107 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. Aihie led the defense with seven tackles and an interception. Lewis led Nevada hitting 22-35 passes for 268 yards as Nevada had 362 total yards.
LOOKING AT NEVADA
• Nevada is 1-2 this season. This week is the Mountain West opener for the Wolf Pack.
• Nevada has multiple players on national watch lists, including OL Jack Foster (Outland), DL Dylan LaBarbera (Bronco Nagurski, Lombardi, Bednarik, East-West Shrine Bowl), RB Herschel Turner (Doak Walker) and RB/KR Ky Woods (AFCA Good Works, Wuerffel).
• Nevada leads the MW in red zone offense, scoring 88.9 percent of the time, matching Air Force. The Wolf Pack has allowed just .33 sacks per game, which leads the MW and ranks second nationally.
• Dominic Kelley leads the team in rushing with 281 yards on 41 carries. He is averaging a MW-best 6.9 yards per carry. Carter Jones leads Nevada in passing, hitting 24-40 passes for 348 yards and two touchdowns. Damien Morgan is the top receiver with 13 catches for 105 yards. EJ Smith leads the defense with 34 total tackles, including a MW-best 3.5 tackles for loss for nine yards. He also leads the MW in solo tackles with 6.67 per game.
• Air Force sophomore Alexander Perez is the lone Falcon from Nevada. Perez is a native of Henderson, Nev., and played at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas.
FOLLOWING AN OPEN WEEK
• Air Force is coming off its lone open week of the season.
• This week begins a stretch of 10 straight weeks with a game.
• Air Force is 8-11 following an open week under head coach Troy Calhoun. The Falcons are 3-3 at home, 4-7 on the road and 1-1 in neutral site games. The Falcons have lost three straight dating back to 2022.
• Air Force is playing Nevada following an open week for the first time.
• Air Force is 4-5 in conference play, including a 2-1 mark at home and 2-4 mark on the road.
• Air Force lost at Utah State, 49-30, last season following the only open week on the schedule.
ROAD OPENERS
• Air Force is 7-12 in road openers under Head Coach Troy Calhoun.
• The Falcons have lost two straight and three of the last four dating back to 2021.
• Air Force is 2-4 against Mountain West opponents in road openers and have lost two straight.
• Six of the 12 losses have come at Power 4 programs.
AN AIR FORCE WIN WOULD.....
• Air Force would improve to 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the Mountain West.
• Air Force's 2-1 record would be its best through three games since 2023.
• Air Force would be 1-0 on the road, winning the road opener for the first time since 2023 at Sam Houston State.
• Air Force would improve to 8-12 in road openers under Head Coach Troy Calhoun.
• Air Force would improve to 7-2 all-time vs. Nevada, including a 4-1 mark in Reno.
• Air Force would win its fourth straight game vs. Nevada.
• Air Force would improve to 8-12 following an open week under Troy Calhoun.
• Air Force would snap a three-game losing streak in games following an open week.
LAST GAME
North Dakota State defeated Air Force, 38-32, in Falcon Stadium on Sept. 5 in the Mountain West opener for both schools. The Bison jumped to a 7-0 lead on a 31 yard touchdown run by Myles Mitchell. After forcing a three-and-out, the Bison scored again on a 17 yard touchdown run by quarterback Nathan Hayes to take a 14-0 lead. The Falcons got on the board when Mason Hayes hit Adam Hrynciw on a 29 yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 14-7. The Bison answered with a Hayes to Mekhi Collins 44-yard touchdown pass to take a 21-7 lead. NDSU was threatening again when Blake Fletcher made an interception and return it 85 yards to cut the lead to 21-13. Mitchell added his second TD run to extend the lead to 28-13 at the half. Hayes opened the second half with his second touchdown pass, this one from 41 yards to Logan Conklin to extend the lead to 35-13. Liam Szarka and Kemper Hodges added fourth quarter touchdown runs to cut the lead to 35-25. Following a 56 yard field goal from Drew Klein, the Falcons scored on an Evan Medders 20 yard touchdown pass to Matt Long with 1:58 remaining to make up the final margin. NDSU recovered an onside kick to clinch it. The Bison had 374 total yards, including 146 rushing and 228 passing. Hayes hit 15-23 passes for 228 yards. Air Force had 386 total yards, including 207 rushing and 179 passing. Szarka had 88 yards rushing and a touchdown while hitting 5-10 passes for 103 yards. Blake Fletcher led the defense with a career-best 14 tackles while Dallas Daley added a career-best 11.
LAST GAME'S POST-GAME NOTES
Team
• The Mason Hayes-Adam Hrynciw touchdown pass and catch in the second quarter was the first passing touchdown by the Falcons this season.
• Air Force's game captains this week were LB Blake Fletcher, LB Dallas Daley, QB Liam Szarka and OL Luke Vonderhaar. Fletcher and Szarka were also captains vs. Duquesne.
Individual Notes
• Junior P Will Duncan's 67-yard punt in the first quarter is a career-long. He added a 60-yarder in the third quarter and had a 62-yarder last week vs. Duquesne. Three of his five punts this season have gone for 60+ yards.
• Junior WR Mason Hayes completed the first pass of his career for a 29-yard touchdown to Adam Hrynciw. The reception for Hrynciw was the first catch and score of his career.
• Senior LB Blake Fletcher scored the first touchdown of his career on an 85-yard interception return which is the second interception of his career. The 85-yard return ties as the seventh-longest for a touchdown in school history and is the longest since Tre Bugg returned one 92 yards vs. Hawaii in 2021. The INT TD is the first for a score for the Falcons since Alec Mock vs. Navy Oct. 21, 2023 (18 yards). Fletcher added a career-high 14 tackles, besting his previous high of 11 vs. New Mexico in 2025.
• Senior LB Dallas Daley had a career-high 11 tackles. His previous high was seven vs. Army in 2025.
• Junior QB Liam Szarka became the 65th player in program history to rush for 1,000 career yards. Szarka rushed for 88 yards vs. NDSU and now ranks 62nd in Air Force history with 1061 yards. Szarka is the 16th quarterback in program history to reach the 1,000-yard milestone. Szarka has a rushing touchdown in each game this season and three for the season.
• Sophomore WR Sylas Maiava-Alaimalo had the first two receptions of his career.
• Junior WR Matt Long had a 35-yard reception, the longest of his career. Long scored the first touchdown of his career on a 20-yard reception in the fourth quarter.
• Senior TE Simon Kibbee had the first two receptions of his career.
• Junior DE Antonio Menard had a career-high four tackles.
AIR FORCE NOTES
• Air Force has scored in 99 consecutive games since it's last shutout, Nov. 4, 2017 vs. Army (21-0). That streak is the fourth longest active streak in the Mountain West.
• Air Force is 38-30 in September under Head Coach Troy Calhoun.
AIR FORCE OFFENSIVE NOTES
• Air Force leads the nation in fourth down conversions, going a perfect four-for-four.
• Air Force has not fumbled the ball this season, a total of 144 plays.
• Air Force is second in the MW and ninth nationally in sacks allowed with a .50 average.
• Air Force leads the MW and ranks third nationally in time of possession with a 35:52 mark.
• Air Force had 18 players carry the ball vs. Duquesne and lost just three yards on 71 carries. The Falcons averaged 6.1 yards per carry.
• Air Force's three pass completions vs. Duquesne went to three different receivers. The Falcons have 12 completions this season, going to six different receivers.
AIR FORCE RUSHING
• Air Force leads the Mountain West and ranks third nationally in rushing (319.0 average).
• Air Force won three straight national rushing titles from 2020-22. The Falcons are just the second school to win three straight titles and first since 2008. Air Force was the only program to average over 300 yards each season.
• Air Force went wire-to-wire for the first time in program history while winning the 2022 title, leading the nation since the first week of the season, setting a new school record for consecutive weeks leading the nation with 15.
• Air Force has won the national rushing title four times overall in program history. National title years: 2002 (307.8), 2020 (305.7), 2021 (327.7), 2022 (326.7).
• Air Force has ranked in the nation's top 10 in 13 straight years and 43 of the last 45.
THE DIESEL STORY
• The Air Force offensive line is nicknamed the Diesel. The background dates to 2018 when center Christopher Mitchell happened to be walking through the locker room and bumped into tight end Lesley Dalger, who referred to Mitchell as a diesel. The lineman took it and ran with it. The group developed a motto of "It starts with us" meaning that if the offensive line doesn't have a solid game it will be difficult to win. The group takes that mentality to practice every day. They have a blue-collar, bring-your-lunch-pail-to-work mentality. The linemen have hats with a diesel pump and a drop of fuel on the front. Legend has it that they found the hats at a truck stop. The mother of a former Falcon, Wolfgang Rehbock, helped secure 20-25 hats to get it started. Offensive linemen have to earn the hat, but they also give them out to other position players that they feel take on their mentality. There is an official ceremony when a player earns the hat, which is voted on by seniors on the offensive line. The ceremony is shrouded in secrecy, as the members do not discuss it.
• The group is off to a good start this season, helping the Falcons rush for 431 yards while holding the ball for 40:50 in the season opener. The Falcons rank fifth nationally in rushing with a 319.0 average. The group has only allowed one sack.
Air Force Diesel Rushing Results
Year Stats MW NCAA
2018 283.5 1st 5th
2019 298.5 1st 2nd
2020 305.7* 1st 1st
2021 327.7* 1st 1st
2022 326.7* 1st 1st
2023 281.5 1st 2nd
2024 224.0 4th 10th
2025 261.4 1st 3rd
2026 319.0 1st 3rd
* - Only team in the nation with 300-plus
AIR FORCE DEFENSIVE NOTES
• Air Force has held six of the last eight opponents to 21 points or less dating back to last season. The Falcons held Wyoming to 21, Army 20, San Jose State 16, New Mexico 20, Colorado State 21 and Duquesne 0.
• Air Force has the fourth-most improved defense from 2025, improving by 182.7 yards per game. The Falcons allowed 423.2 last season, compared to 240.5 this season.
• Air Force ranks second in the MW and 37th nationally in third-down defense (.304), second in the MW and 10th nationally in defensive TDs (1), second in the MW and 17th nationally in passing yards allowed (140.5), third in the MW and 15 nationally in red zone defense (.667) and second in the MW, first in the MW and second nationally in first down defense (26) and 15th nationally in total defense (240.5).
• Air Force has scored a defensive touchdown, as Blake Fletcher returned an interception 85 yards for a touchdown vs. North Dakota State. The 85 yard return ties as the seventh longest in program and is the longest since 2021. The INT return for a TD is the first since 2023.
• Air Force held Duquesne to just 107 yards of total offense, the seventh fewest in school history and the fewest since the Falcons held Sam Houston to 80 yards in 2023.
• The shutout for Air Force was the first since a 28-0 win over Oregon State in 2024. It was the largest margin of victory in a shutout since a 38-0 win over Stony Brook to open the 2018 season.
KICKING GAME NOTES
• Air Force is 6-7 this season in extra points. The Falcons had hit 80 straight dating back to the Colorado State game in 2023 before a block vs. North Dakota State.
• Air Force leads the MW and ranks 20th nationally in net punting with a 44.0 average.
• Punter Will Duncan is averaging 56.0 yards per punt this season. He has a long of 67 yards and two other punts of 60-plus yards. He would lead the nation in punting, but does not qualify for the national stats due to lack of attempts. Kade Reynolds of Duke leads the nation with a 50.9 average while Bart Edmiston of Wyoming leads the MW and ranks third nationally with a 48.5 average.
• Kicker Carter Cremascoli has 10 touchbacks on 13 kickoffs this season.
• Air Force's deep snapper, junior Jake Helms, and holder, junior Rocco D'Angelo, are both new this season. Cremascoli and Duncan are also new this season. Helms is the only one of the four to appear in a game before this season. He played in one game last season.
Players Mentioned
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