Saturday, September 12
USAFA, CO
8:00 pm MT
Air Force Academy
vs
North Dakota State
Photo by: Ray Bahner
Game 2: Air Force vs. North Dakota State
9/7/2026 9:51:00 AM | Football
02. Air Force Game Notes vs. North Dakota StateNorth Dakota State vs Air Force 2026 09 12 08 00 PM2026 NFFCC Week2 090826
Saturday, Sept. 12, 8 p.m. MT, Falcon Stadium (Colorado Springs, CO)
Game 2: Air Force vs. North Dakota State
Saturday, Sept. 12, 8 p.m. MT, Falcon Stadium (Colorado Springs, CO)
BROADCAST INFORMATION
• Television: Fox Sports (FS1)
Carlo Jimenez (play-by-play), Petros Papadakis (analyst)
• Radio: KVOR AM 740, Colorado Springs; SIRIUS 273 (APP 982)
Jim Arthur (play-by-play), Jesse Kurtz (analyst)
THE BREAKDOWN
• Air Force and North Dakota State are playing for the first time. This week is the conference opener for both schools.
• Air Force is 14-13 in Mountain West openers dating back to 1999. The Falcons are 8-6 at home and 6-7 on the road.
• Air Force and North Dakota State are the top two scoring defenses in the Mountain West. The Falcons are first (0.0) and NDSU second (3.5). Both teams are coming off shutouts last week.
• Air Force and NDSU have each won two straight, which ties as the longest active streak in the Mountain West. Air Force's dates to last season.
THE SERIES
Air Force and North Dakota State are playing for the first time. This week is the conference opener for both schools.
CONFERENCE OPENERS
• Air Force is 14-13 in Mountain West openers dating back to 1999.
• The Falcons are 8-6 at home and 6-7 on the road.
• Air Force has lost eight of the last nine MW openers.
• Air Force won a Mountain West-record 11 straight openers from 2000-10.
• Air Force lost its first MW opener, 10-7, to Wyoming in 1999 in Falcon Stadium prior to starting the 11-game winning streak.
• The Falcons are 26-20 all-time in conference openers dating back to 1980.
• Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun is 7-12 in conference openers.
LOOKING AT NORTH DAKOTA STATE
• North Dakota State is coached by Tim Polasek, who is in his third season. He has led the program to a 28-3 record, including a 2-0 mark as an FBS program. NDSU is averaging 35.5 points per game while allowing just 3.5, which ranks second in the Mountain West and 20th nationally. The Bison lead the MW and rank 26th nationally in rushing defense with a 52.0 average.
• Myles Mitchell leads the team in rushing with 119 yards on 21 carries. DJ Scott is second with 111 yards on 24 carries and a team-best two rushing touchdowns. Nathan Hayes leads the team in passing, hitting 32-44 passes for 370 yards and four touchdowns with one INT. The defense is led by Donovan Woolen, who has 11 tackles. Kelton McCaslin has added six tackles and team highs of 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
• North Dakota State competed in the Football Championship Subdivision for 22 seasons from 2004 through 2025, spending the past 18 years in the Missouri Valley Football Conference after four years in the Great West Football Conference while reclassifying from Division II.
Here are the final numbers from NDSU's FCS era:
— Overall record: 251-49 (.837)
— Record since 2011: 198-22 (.900)
— 13 conference championships (12 MVFC, 1 GWFC)
— 10 national championships (FCS record)
— 51-6 in playoffs (FCS record for wins)
— 38-2 in playoffs at home
— 39-game winning streak (FCS record)
— 9-5 record vs. FBS opponents
— 26 weeks of AP Top 25 votes
— 21 NFL draft picks (14 in past 8 years)
AIR FORCE AT HOME UNDER TROY CALHOUN
• Air Force is 82-32 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 1-0 --
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 82-32
AN AIR FORCE WIN WOULD.....
• Air Force would improve to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in Mountain West play.
• Air Force would be 2-0 overall for the fifth time in the last eight years. The Falcons would be 2-0 for the 10th time in head coach Troy Calhoun's 20 seasons.
• Air Force would snap a two-game losing streak in MW openers, winning for the first time since 2023 over Utah State. A win would improve Air Force to 9-6 all-time in MW openers at home.
• Air Force would improve to 27-20 all-time in conference openers dating back to 1980.
• Air Force would improve to 83-32 at home under Head Coach Troy Calhoun.
LAST WEEK
Air Force defeated Duquesne, 34-0, to open the 2026 season. The Falcons had 450 total yards, including 431 rushing. Air Force ran 35 more plans than Duquesne and held a 40:50 to 19:10 advantage in time of possession. The Falcons held Duquesne to eight first downs and 107 yards of total offense. The Dukes punted seven times and had two interceptions in their nine possessions. Air Force was led by Rocco Conti, who had 74 yards rushing. Kempher Hodges added 72 yards and a touchdown. The Falcons had 18 players carry the ball. The defense was led by Blake Fletcher, who had seven tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Cade Paterson added five tackles while Korey Johnson chipped in with three tackles, a tackle for loss two pass breakups and an interception.
LAST WEEK'S POST-GAME NOTES
Team
• Air Force improved to 30-0 all-time vs. teams from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). All 30 wins have come at home. Air Force Head Coach Troy Calhoun improved to 20-0 vs. FCS teams.
• Air Force improved to 50-19-2 in season openers, including a 44-8 mark at home. The Falcons have won 20 straight and 21 of the last 23 with the only losses coming at No. 11 Tennessee in 2006 and vs. No. 13 California in 2004.
• Air Force's 20 straight wins in season openers is third nationally, trailing only Ohio State (25) and Alabama (25).
• 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.
• Eleven Falcons made the first start of their career: OT Brandon Nazworth, OC Rudy Varela, RG TJ Tarascio, TE Simon Kibbee, TB Rocco Conti, WR Adam Hrynciw, DL Jaylin Reese, DL Andrew Tillett, DL Chaz Barnett, SS Cade Paterson, CB Ehimen Oyamendan.
• Air Force game captains were LB Blake Fletcher, FB Owen Allen, QB Liam Szarka and LB Isaac Hubert.
Individual
• Senior FB Kemper Hodges scored Air Force's first touchdown of the season and the fifth of his career.
• Senior TB Rocco Conti had career highs in carries (10) and rushing yards (74). His previous career highs were four carries vs. New Mexico (2024) and 13 yards vs. CSU (2025).
• Junior WR Matt Long had the first reception of his career in the first quarter. Long also had career highs of four carries for 33 yards rushing.
• PK Carter Cremascoli made the first field goals of his career. He hit a career-long 52-yard field goal in the second quarter, the 19th longest in school history and the longest by a Falcon since Matthew Dapore hit from 54 against Colorado in 2022
• QB Evan Medders saw the first game action of his career and finished with career highs in carries (7), rushing yards (48) and passing attempts (2). He scored his first career touchdown on a four-yard rush in the fourth quarter.
• P Will Duncan had the first punt of his career, a 51-yarder in the second quarter. He added a 62 yard punt later and averaged 56.5 yards on two punts.
• CB Korey Johnson recorded the first interception of his career in the second quarter. He added a tackle for loss and two pass breakups.
• Senior FB Owen Allen rushed for 38 yards to move into 58th on the Air Force career rushing list with 1,123 yards. He moved past Curtis Martin (1968-70) and Obasi Onuoha (1990-93). He needs seven yards to pass QB Blane Morgan (1996-98) who had 1,129 yards.
• SS Cade Paterson had a career high five tackles, all solo, in his first game action.
Saturday, Sept. 12, 8 p.m. MT, Falcon Stadium (Colorado Springs, CO)
BROADCAST INFORMATION
• Television: Fox Sports (FS1)
Carlo Jimenez (play-by-play), Petros Papadakis (analyst)
• Radio: KVOR AM 740, Colorado Springs; SIRIUS 273 (APP 982)
Jim Arthur (play-by-play), Jesse Kurtz (analyst)
THE BREAKDOWN
• Air Force and North Dakota State are playing for the first time. This week is the conference opener for both schools.
• Air Force is 14-13 in Mountain West openers dating back to 1999. The Falcons are 8-6 at home and 6-7 on the road.
• Air Force and North Dakota State are the top two scoring defenses in the Mountain West. The Falcons are first (0.0) and NDSU second (3.5). Both teams are coming off shutouts last week.
• Air Force and NDSU have each won two straight, which ties as the longest active streak in the Mountain West. Air Force's dates to last season.
THE SERIES
Air Force and North Dakota State are playing for the first time. This week is the conference opener for both schools.
CONFERENCE OPENERS
• Air Force is 14-13 in Mountain West openers dating back to 1999.
• The Falcons are 8-6 at home and 6-7 on the road.
• Air Force has lost eight of the last nine MW openers.
• Air Force won a Mountain West-record 11 straight openers from 2000-10.
• Air Force lost its first MW opener, 10-7, to Wyoming in 1999 in Falcon Stadium prior to starting the 11-game winning streak.
• The Falcons are 26-20 all-time in conference openers dating back to 1980.
• Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun is 7-12 in conference openers.
LOOKING AT NORTH DAKOTA STATE
• North Dakota State is coached by Tim Polasek, who is in his third season. He has led the program to a 28-3 record, including a 2-0 mark as an FBS program. NDSU is averaging 35.5 points per game while allowing just 3.5, which ranks second in the Mountain West and 20th nationally. The Bison lead the MW and rank 26th nationally in rushing defense with a 52.0 average.
• Myles Mitchell leads the team in rushing with 119 yards on 21 carries. DJ Scott is second with 111 yards on 24 carries and a team-best two rushing touchdowns. Nathan Hayes leads the team in passing, hitting 32-44 passes for 370 yards and four touchdowns with one INT. The defense is led by Donovan Woolen, who has 11 tackles. Kelton McCaslin has added six tackles and team highs of 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
• North Dakota State competed in the Football Championship Subdivision for 22 seasons from 2004 through 2025, spending the past 18 years in the Missouri Valley Football Conference after four years in the Great West Football Conference while reclassifying from Division II.
Here are the final numbers from NDSU's FCS era:
— Overall record: 251-49 (.837)
— Record since 2011: 198-22 (.900)
— 13 conference championships (12 MVFC, 1 GWFC)
— 10 national championships (FCS record)
— 51-6 in playoffs (FCS record for wins)
— 38-2 in playoffs at home
— 39-game winning streak (FCS record)
— 9-5 record vs. FBS opponents
— 26 weeks of AP Top 25 votes
— 21 NFL draft picks (14 in past 8 years)
AIR FORCE AT HOME UNDER TROY CALHOUN
• Air Force is 82-32 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 1-0 --
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 82-32
AN AIR FORCE WIN WOULD.....
• Air Force would improve to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in Mountain West play.
• Air Force would be 2-0 overall for the fifth time in the last eight years. The Falcons would be 2-0 for the 10th time in head coach Troy Calhoun's 20 seasons.
• Air Force would snap a two-game losing streak in MW openers, winning for the first time since 2023 over Utah State. A win would improve Air Force to 9-6 all-time in MW openers at home.
• Air Force would improve to 27-20 all-time in conference openers dating back to 1980.
• Air Force would improve to 83-32 at home under Head Coach Troy Calhoun.
LAST WEEK
Air Force defeated Duquesne, 34-0, to open the 2026 season. The Falcons had 450 total yards, including 431 rushing. Air Force ran 35 more plans than Duquesne and held a 40:50 to 19:10 advantage in time of possession. The Falcons held Duquesne to eight first downs and 107 yards of total offense. The Dukes punted seven times and had two interceptions in their nine possessions. Air Force was led by Rocco Conti, who had 74 yards rushing. Kempher Hodges added 72 yards and a touchdown. The Falcons had 18 players carry the ball. The defense was led by Blake Fletcher, who had seven tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Cade Paterson added five tackles while Korey Johnson chipped in with three tackles, a tackle for loss two pass breakups and an interception.
LAST WEEK'S POST-GAME NOTES
Team
• Air Force improved to 30-0 all-time vs. teams from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). All 30 wins have come at home. Air Force Head Coach Troy Calhoun improved to 20-0 vs. FCS teams.
• Air Force improved to 50-19-2 in season openers, including a 44-8 mark at home. The Falcons have won 20 straight and 21 of the last 23 with the only losses coming at No. 11 Tennessee in 2006 and vs. No. 13 California in 2004.
• Air Force's 20 straight wins in season openers is third nationally, trailing only Ohio State (25) and Alabama (25).
• 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.
• Eleven Falcons made the first start of their career: OT Brandon Nazworth, OC Rudy Varela, RG TJ Tarascio, TE Simon Kibbee, TB Rocco Conti, WR Adam Hrynciw, DL Jaylin Reese, DL Andrew Tillett, DL Chaz Barnett, SS Cade Paterson, CB Ehimen Oyamendan.
• Air Force game captains were LB Blake Fletcher, FB Owen Allen, QB Liam Szarka and LB Isaac Hubert.
Individual
• Senior FB Kemper Hodges scored Air Force's first touchdown of the season and the fifth of his career.
• Senior TB Rocco Conti had career highs in carries (10) and rushing yards (74). His previous career highs were four carries vs. New Mexico (2024) and 13 yards vs. CSU (2025).
• Junior WR Matt Long had the first reception of his career in the first quarter. Long also had career highs of four carries for 33 yards rushing.
• PK Carter Cremascoli made the first field goals of his career. He hit a career-long 52-yard field goal in the second quarter, the 19th longest in school history and the longest by a Falcon since Matthew Dapore hit from 54 against Colorado in 2022
• QB Evan Medders saw the first game action of his career and finished with career highs in carries (7), rushing yards (48) and passing attempts (2). He scored his first career touchdown on a four-yard rush in the fourth quarter.
• P Will Duncan had the first punt of his career, a 51-yarder in the second quarter. He added a 62 yard punt later and averaged 56.5 yards on two punts.
• CB Korey Johnson recorded the first interception of his career in the second quarter. He added a tackle for loss and two pass breakups.
• Senior FB Owen Allen rushed for 38 yards to move into 58th on the Air Force career rushing list with 1,123 yards. He moved past Curtis Martin (1968-70) and Obasi Onuoha (1990-93). He needs seven yards to pass QB Blane Morgan (1996-98) who had 1,129 yards.
• SS Cade Paterson had a career high five tackles, all solo, in his first game action.
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