Game 4: Air Force vs. Navy

Game 4: Air Force vs. Navy
Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m. MT, Falcon Stadium (39,441)

BROADCAST INFORMATION
• Television: CBS
Rich Waltz (play-by-play), Adam Breneman (analyst), Brian Kelly (analyst),
Jordan Giorgio (sidelines)
• Radio: KVOR AM 740, Colorado Springs; SIRIUS 261 (APP 971)
Jim Arthur (play-by-play), Jesse Kurtz (analyst)
• National Radio: Gridiron Sports
Noah Britt (play-by-play), Jon Reynolds (analyst), Bob Marshall (sidelines)

THE BREAKDOWN
• Air Force leads the overall series, 34-24. The Falcons are 20-8 at home, 10-13 at Navy and 4-3 in neutral site games. Navy has won two straight in the series, following a streak of four straight by Air Force.
• The 2026 season marks the 55th year of Commander-in-Chief's trophy competition. The trophy goes annually to the winning academy with the best record in the round-robin competition.

THE SERIES
• Air Force leads the overall series, 34-24.
• Air Force is 20-8 at home, 10-13 at Navy and 4-3 in neutral site games.
• Navy has won two straight in the series, following a streak of four straight by Air Force.
• Navy beat Air Force, 34-31, last season in Annapolis.
• Navy beat Air Force, 34-7, in 2024 in the last meeting at Falcon Stadium.
• Air Force holds a 31-23 lead in Commander-in-Chief's Trophy games (started in 1972).
• The team's first played in 1960 in Baltimore, Md., resulting in a 35-3 Navy win.

LAST SEASON
(Oct. 4, 2025) Navy defeated Air Force, 34-31, in Annapolis in the first game of the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy series. The Midshipmen had 517 total yards, including 339 passing. The game featured 977 total yards, as the Falcons managed 460 total yards, including 249 passing and 211 rushing. Navy was led by Blake Horvath, who posted 130 yards rushing and a touchdown while hitting 20-26 passes for 339 yards and three touchdowns. Eli Heidenreich had eight catches for 243 yards and three touchdowns. Air Force was led by Liam Szarka, who hit 11-19 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for a career-best 152 yards and two touchdowns. He is the first player in program history to have three straight games of 200 yards passing and 100 yards rushing. Tight end Bruin Fleischmann added six catches for 166 yards and a touchdown, all career highs. His 166 yards are the 11th most in program history and most-ever by a tight end.

LAST TIME AT AIR FORCE
(Oct. 5, 2024) Navy defeated Air Force, 34-7, in Falcon Stadium to remain unbeaten on the season and snap a four-game losing streak to the Falcons. Blake Horvath scored on a one-yard run and Nathan Kent scored on a 34-yard run to put Navy in front 14-0 in the first quarter. The Falcons got on the board with a Quentin Hayes 45-yard touchdown pass to Tre Roberson to make it 14-7. Horvath scored his second rushing touchdown of the game to give the Midshipmen a 21-7 halftime lead. Navy extended the lead to 27-7 with an Alex Tecza touchdown run. He added a second TD run early in the fourth to make up the final margin. Navy finished with 463 total yards, including 329 rushing. Harvath rushed for 115 yards and hit 9-15 passes for 134 yards. Eli Heidenreich rushed for 100 yards on six carries and caught five passes for 101 yards. Air Force was led by Kade Frew, who had 29 yards on seven carries. Hayes hit 5-6 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown. Air Force finished with 273 total yards, including 158 rushing. Camby Goff led the defense with nine tackles.

LOOKING AT NAVY
• Navy is 1-2 overall and 0-2 in the American Athletic Conference. This week ends a streak of three straight road games for Navy.
• Navy is 15-3 (.833) at home, 8-8 on the road and 4-3 in neutral site games under Head Coach Brian Newberry, who is in his fourth season.
• Navy's is 22-7 over the past three seasons (2024-26) which is second-best among Group of 6 schools behind James Madison (25-6).
• Navy is 760-607-57 record over 146 seasons. The 760 wins are the most of any Service Academy and the most of any team not in the autonomy 4.
• Braxton Woodson and Jackson Gutierrez lead the Midshipmen in rushing with Woodson rushing 35 times for 296 yards and four touchdowns and Gutierrez recording 49 carries for 240 yards and four touchdowns. Gutierrez leads the team in passing, hitting 10-25 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns.
• Navy and Air Force are tied for second in the nation in rushing with 333.7 yards per game.
• Navy's defense is led by MarcAnthony Parker, who has 28 total tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks. The Midshipmen have recorded 19 tackles for loss and 10 sacks this season.

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S TROPHY
The 2026 season marks the 55th year of Commander-in-Chief's trophy competition. The trophy goes annually to the winning academy with the best record in the round-robin competition. The winning team goes to the White House to receive the trophy from the President of the United States. Air Force has a series-best 66-42 record and has won 21 trophy titles, the most in the series. The Falcons are the only program to visit every president from Ronald Reagan to Donald Trump.

There have been five ties: 74, 76, 80, 93, 21
Air Force outright CIC trophy years: '82, '83, '85, '87, '89, '90, '91, '92, '94, '95, 97, '98, '99, '00, '01, '02, '10, '11, '14, '16, '22

AIR FORCE TO HONOR B-21 RAIDER WITH 2026 AIR POWER LEGACY SERIES
The Air Force football team will honor the B-21 Raider with the 2026 edition of the Air Power Legacy Series uniform this week. This season is the 10th anniversary of the APLS series.

Backplates: Preventing conflict by maintaining a force so capable, ready, and credible that no adversary will ever risk war. It is the promise that peace is preserved through unmatched strength and readiness 24/7/365. Power Projection is the ability to rapidly fly, fight, and deliver decisive airpower anywhere on the globe, anytime, through any contested airspace. It ensures America's reach has no limits.

Patches: Air Force Global Strike Command provides the Nation with combat-ready forces to conduct strategic deterrence and global strike operations. As the air component of U.S. Strategic Command, AFGSC oversees America's entire intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) force and strategic bomber fleet including the B-1, B-2, B-52, and the next-generation B-21 Raider, and secures peace through unmatched, long-range strike combat power 24/7/365. The 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, California, manages developmental and combined testing for the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider stealth bomber through its 420th Flight Test Squadron.
With headquarters at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, the Air Force Materiel Command is a U.S. Air Force major command created July 1, 1992. AFMC's core missions include Research and Development; Life Cycle Management; Nuclear Materiel Management; Test and Evaluation; Sustainment and Logistics; and Installation and Mission Support.

Red Towel: Remove before Flight is a safety warning often seen while aircraft are on the ground, typically in the form of a red ribbon, to indicate that a device, such as a protective cover or a pin to prevent the movement of mechanical parts is in place. These items must be removed before flight to make the aircraft fully flight and combat ready.

The B-21 Raider: The B-21 Raider will be a penetrating strike stealth bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. The B-21 will form the backbone of the future Air Force bomber force consisting of B-21s and B-52s. Designed to operate in tomorrow's high-end threat environment, the B-21 will play a critical role in ensuring America's enduring airpower capability.
The B-21 Raider is named in honor of the historic Doolittle Raiders, U.S. Army Air Force men who are known for their surprise attack against Japan during World War II on April 18, 1942, which forced the Japanese to recall combat forces for home defense, and boosted morale among Americans and U.S. allies abroad. The designation B-21 recognizes the Raider as the first bomber of the 21st century.
On April 18, 1942, 80 men and 16 B-25 Mitchell medium bombers set off on what some said was an impossible mission, to change the course of World War II. The actions of these 80 volunteers, led by Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle, were instrumental in shifting momentum in the Pacific theater and setting the stage for victory at the Battle of Midway. These men, dubbed the Doolittle Raiders, launched 16 B-25s off the flight deck of the USS Hornet, despite the plane not being designed for carrier operations. The raid acted as a catalyst to many future innovations in U.S. air superiority from land or sea. That bold, innovative and courageous spirit of the Doolittle Raiders has been the inspiration behind the name of America's next generation bomber, the B-21 Raider, in development now by the U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman.
For more information and the history of the APLS, please click HERE.

AIR FORCE VS. NON-CONFERENCE FOES
• Air Force is 1-0 this season vs. non-conference foes.
• The Falcons are 17-8 over the last six seasons vs. non-conferences foes.
• Air Force is 56-34 against non-conference opponents under head coach Troy Calhoun. The Falcons are 35-6 at home, 11-21 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.

AIR FORCE AT HOME UNDER TROY CALHOUN
• Air Force is 82-33 in Falcon Stadium under head coach Troy Calhoun.
• Air Force had a school-record 15-game winning streak from 2014 to Oct. 22, 2016.
• The Falcons have finished undefeated at home six times overall in school history, four coming under Calhoun.

Year       Rec.       Notes
2026      1-1         --
2025      2-4         Just the second losing season in the last 19 years
2024      3-3         17th time in 18 seasons at .500 or better
2023      4-1         Air Force was 10-2 in 2022-23
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 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         First 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      82-33

AN AIR FORCE WIN WOULD...
• improve Air Force to 3-1 overall, its best start since going 8-0 in 2023.
• improve Air Force to 2-0 this season against non-conference opponents.
• improve Air Force to 18-8 the last six seasons vs. non-conference opponents.
• improve Air Force to 57-34 against non-conference opponents under Head Coach Troy Calhoun, including a 36-6 mark at home.
• improve the Falcons to 67-42 all-time in Commander-in-Chief's Tophy games dating back to 1972.
• improve Air Force to 35-24 all-time vs. Navy, including a 21-8 mark at home.
• snap a two-game Navy winning streak in the series.
• improve Air Force to 32-23 in CIC games vs. Navy.

LAST WEEK
Air Force defeated Nevada, 36-33, in double overtime in Reno, Nev., in the third overtime game in the series. Junior quarterback Liam Szarka led the Falcons with a career-high 171 yards rushing and two touchdowns on a career-best 33 carries. His carries and yards are the most by an Air Force quarterback since 2017. Szarka also hit 5-12 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown. His TD pass put the Falcons in front 20-17 in the fourth quarter and his second touchdown run made it 27-17 with 5:56 remaining. Nevada stormed back to tie it at 27-27 at the end of regulation. After exchanging field goals in the first overtime, the Falcons forced a field goal in the second extra session. Senior running back Rocco Conti then ended it with a seven-yard run. He added a career-high 77 yards rushing. The Falcons finished with 455 total yards, including 363 rushing. The defense was led by Blake Fletcher, who had 13 tackles, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble. Dallas Daley added 10 tackles and a TFL while Jaylin Reese chipped in with career highs of five tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 quarterback sacks.

LAST WEEK'S POST-GAME NOTES
Team
• Air Force is 1-0 on the road this season, winning its road opener for the first time since 2023 at Sam Houston State. The Falcons improved to 8-12 in road openers under Head Coach Troy Calhoun.
• Air Force improved to 7-2 all-time vs. Nevada, including a 4-1 mark in Reno. The Falcons have won four straight vs. Nevada.
• Air Force snapped a three-game losing streak in games following an open week. The Falcons improved to 9-11 following an open week under Head Coach Troy Calhoun, including 5-5 vs. Mountain West opponents.
• Troy Calhoun is now 3-3 in overtime games in his career. He has faced Nevada in overtime three times, winning all three.
• Air Force played its first overtime game since 2021, when they defeated Nevada, 41-39, in triple-overtime.
• Air Force has now scored in 100 consecutive games since last being shutout vs. Army on Nov. 4, 2017. The streak is the fourth-longest active streak in the Mountain West.
• Air Force captains for the Nevada game were LB Blake Fletcher, DB Korey Johnson, QB Liam Szarka and FB Kemper Hodges. Fletcher and Szarka have been captains for all three games.

Individual Notes
• Junior QB Liam Szarka set career highs with 171 yards rushing on 33 carries, going over 100 yards rushing for the sixth time in his career and the first time this season. His previous high for rushing was 152 yards against Navy last season and previous high for carries was 29 against Army in 2025. Szarka scored on a one-yard run in the second quarter to tie the game at 10 and an eight yard run in the fourth quarter to put the Falcons up 10. Szarka has scored at least one rushing touchdown in each game this season. It was his second game the multiple rushing TDs and the seventh of his career. Szarka also threw his first touchdown pass of the season.
• Senior RB Rocco Conti set career highs with 77 yards rushing on 11 carries. His previous high's were 71 yards on 10 carries vs. Duquesne. He scored his first-career touchdown.
• Senior LB Blake Fletcher had a team-leading 13 tackles. He has led the team in tackles all three games this season and reached double-figures in tackles for the second time this season and the eighth time in his career.
• Junior WR Matt Long caught his second receiving touchdown of the season.
• Senior FB Kemper Hodges had a career-long 34-yard run. His previous long was 29 yards against Duquesne.
• Sophomore DL Mohammad Alcine recorded the first quarterback sack of his career. The tackle is just the second of his career.
• Junior DL Jaylin Reese recorded a career highs of 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss. He entered the game with one career sack.
• Senior LB Dallas Daley recorded 10 tackles for his second-straight game with double-digit tackles.
• Sophomore DB Max Mustell recorded his first-career sack.
• Senior TE Simon Kibbee had two receptions for the second-straight game. His 53 receiving yards was a career-high and his 34-yard reception was a career-long.
• Senior WR Adam Hrynciw recorded one catch for 21 yards. He has caught a pass in two straight games.
• Junior FB Gage LaDue recorded a career-high 32 yards rushing. His previous high was 19 last season vs. Bucknell.
• Senior WR Grant Wayne recorded his first-career reception, good for 11 yards.
• Sophomore PK Carter Cremascoli made a career high three field goals, hitting from 43, 33 and 28 yards. He is 5-of-6 this season. Cremascoli's previous high was two field goals in the season opener vs. Duquesne.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Rocco Conti

Carter Cremascoli

Dallas Daley

Bruin Fleischmann

Blake Fletcher

Kade Frew

Kemper Hodges

Adam Hrynciw

Korey Johnson

Simon Kibbee

Gage LaDue

Matt Long

Max Mustell

Jaylin Reese

Tre Roberson

Liam Szarka

Grant Wayne

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