Oct. 13, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format 
Air Force (4-2, 2-1) at UNLV (3-3, 0-2)
Saturday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m. Pacific
Sam Boyd Stadium (28,000), Las Vegas, NV
Radio
KVOR AM 740 in Colorado Springs
1510 KCKK AM in Denver and Northern Colorado
Talent - Jim Arthur (play-by-play); Lee Douglas (anaylst); Jay Ritchie (pre- and post-game)
Television
The Mtn (Channel 616 on DirecTV, 167 on Comcast)
Talent - Rich Cellini (play-by-play); Jon Berger (color); Molly Sullivan (sidelines)
Air Force travels to Las Vegas to take on UNLV
Air Force (4-2, 2-1 MWC) travels to Las Vegas, Nev., to take on UNLV on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. Pacific time at Sam Boyd Stadium. The game is the second straight on the road for Air Force, who is in the middle of playing three of four games on the road. Following this week's game, the Falcons return home to host New Mexico Oct. 23, before hitting the road at Army on Saturday, Nov. 1.
Air Force and UNLV meet for the 14th time overall and 13th time as conference foes. Air Force holds a 9-4 overall lead an 9-3 mark in conference games. Air Force is 5-1 at home and 4-3 on the road. The Falcons were beaten by UNLV, 42-39, the last time the two played in Las Vegas. The teams first played in Las Vegas in 1981. The Rebels won the game, 24-21. AFA won the next four games, all as conference foes from 1996-1999, before UNLV won back-to-back games in 2000-01. AFA has won five of the last six in the series.
Air Force was in the same place this year, as it was a year ago after five games. Air Force opened the 2007 season with three straight wins before losing back-to-back games, the second coming to Navy. Air Force responded by winning six of its next seven games to close the regular season on the way to a 9-4 overall record and second place finish in the MWC with a 6-2 mark. The Falcons began the run with a conference win over UNLV to start a three-game winning streak. Following a loss at New Mexico, Air Force won its final three regular season games.
Air Force got off to the solid start this season in an attempt to match last season's run. The Falcons defeated San Diego State, 35-10, last week to improve to 4-2 on the season.
The series
Air Force and UNLV meet for the 14th time overall and 13th time as conference foes. Air Force holds a 9-4 overall lead an 9-3 mark in conference games. Air Force is 5-1 at home and 4-3 on the road. The Falcons were beaten by UNLV, 42-39, the last time the two played in Las Vegas. The teams first played in Las Vegas in 1981. The Rebels won the game, 24-21. AFA won the next four games, all as conference foes from 1996-1999, before UNLV won back-to-back games in 2000-01. AFA has won five of the last six in the series. The winning team has scored at least 24 points in every game.
Year by Year
1981 - UNLV 24-21 (A)
1996 - AFA 65-17 (A)
1997 - AFA 25-24 (H)
1998 - AFA 52-10 (A)
1999 - AFA 35-16 (H)
2000 - UNLV 34-13 (A)
2001 - UNLV 34-10 (H)
2002 - AFA 49-32 (A)
2003 - AFA 24-7 (H)
2004 - AFA 27-10 (A)
2005 - AFA 42-7 (H)
2006 - UNLV 42-39 (A)
2007 - AFA 31-14 (H)
Last year vs. UNLV
AP Article - Chad Hall scored two touchdowns and ran for a then-career-high 169 yards to help Air Force to a 31-14 Mountain West Conference win over UNLV.
Hall's 52-yard scamper in the third quarter gave Air Force a 14-7 lead and put the Falcons ahead of UNLV to stay.
Hall's 169 rushing yards were the most by an Air Force running back since Jason Jones had 171 yards against Notre Dame in 1991.
Air Force quarterback Shaun Carney threw for 123 yards and added 73 on the ground, including a career-long 71-yard touchdown run that put the Falcons up 21-7 with 3:38 remaining in the third quarter.
Chad Smith opened the scoring for Air Force, capping a 12-play drive with a one-yard plunge with 26 seconds remaining in the first quarter. The drive began on the Air Force 26, after Ryan Kemp and Drew Fowler stuffed Travis Dixon on a quarterback sneak on a fourth-and-one.
UNLV tied the score at 7-7 as time expired in the first half. Freshman quarterback Travis Dixon ran to his left on a second-down play from the 2-yard line, landing on his shoulder in the end zone after being met by a pair of Air Force tacklers.
The Rebels scoring drive covered 65 yards and included a key fourth-down conversion on the Air Force 35, with Dixon passing six yards to Ryan Wolfe for a first down on the 29. It was UNLV's only fourth-down conversion of the night, as the Falcons stopped the Rebels on three other occasions on fourth down.
UNLV closed the gap to 21-14 with 14:45 remaining in the game on a four-yard touchdown run by Frank Summers, but Air Force was able to respond. The Falcons made it a two-possession game with a 28-yard field goal by Ryan Harrison with 7:29 remaining after Rebels punter Brian Pacheco netted just a seven-yard punt that gave Air Force the ball on the UNLV 13.
Air Force capped the scoring with 1:40 remaining when Hall scored his second touchdown of the night, an eight-yard run.
Neither team had trouble moving the ball, with UNLV finishing with 471 yards of total offense and Air Force 432.
The last time in Vegas
Air Force was beaten, 42-39, by UNLV in Las Vegas, Nev., as the Rebels snapped a four-game losing streak to Air Force.
The Falcons got on the board first with a Zach Sasser 23-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead. UNLV countered with a David Peeples six-yard touchdown run to take a 7-3 advantage. The teams exchanged touchdowns to push the score to 26-24 UNLV at halftime. The Falcons scored their three touchdowns on passes from Shaun Carney to Victor Thompson, Chad Hall and Beau Suder.
The Falcons appeared to take control in the third quarter when Carney added a touchdown run to make it 31-26. Peeples responded with a touchdown run to give UNLV back the lead, 32-31, with 6:35 left in the third. Ronnie Smith added a touchdown run late in the third quarter to extend the lead to 39-31. Sergio Aguayo added a field goal late in the fourth quarter to make it a two-possession game, 42-31, with 3:44 left. Air Force added Carney's career-best fourth touchdown pass with 2:26 left and added a two-point conversion to cut the lead to 42-39. UNLV recovered the onsdie kick and ran out the clock to make up the final margin.
UNLV rolled up 555 total yards, the most given up by Air Force on the year, and controlled the clock with a 33:17 time of possession mark. Quarterback Rocky Hinds led the Rebels with 351 yards on 26 of 34 passing. Peeples added 95 yards rushing while Casey Flair and Ryan Wolfe each topped the 100-yard mark in receiving with 100 and 108, respectively.
Air Force was led by Carney, who hit 10 of 18 passes for 211 yards and four touchdowns. Hall added 58 yards rushing while Mark Root added four catches for 82 yards. Air Force had 415 total yards. Drew Fowler led the defense with a game-high 12 tackles.
Air Force - UNLV ties
UNLV assistant coach Vic Shealy has ties to the Air Force Academy. Shealy coached at Air Force from 1999-2004. He coached the secondary all six years he was at the Academy. Prior to his stint at Air Force, Shealy was head coach at Azusa Pacific where he posted a 27-14-1 record and led the school to the NAIA national championship in 1998. Shealy's son, Vic, played two years of football at the Academy.
Air Force wide receiver Spencer Armstrong joins Shealy as the lone Falcon on the roster from Nevada. Armstrong, who is out of action with a broken leg, hails from Henderson, Nev., and attended Silverado high school).
Career statistics vs. San Diego State
Rushing
Name G Att-Yds-TDs
Ty Paffett 1 1-6-0
Savier Stephens 1 2-5-0
Passing
Name G C-A-Int-Yds-TD
None
Receiving
Name G #-Yds-TD
Spencer Armstrong 1 1-34-0
Travis Dekker 1 1-7-0
Seean Quintana 1 1-6-0
Tackles
Name G UT-AT-Total
Aaron Kirchoff 2 3-4-7
Ryan Kemp 2 1-4-5
Hunter Altman 2 3-7-10
Chris Thomas 2 5-6-11
Jake Paulson 1 3-1-4
Ben Garland 1 2-5-7
Jared Marvin 1 0-2-2
Rick Ricketts 1 0-2-2
Reggie Rembert 1 1-0-1
Air Force turns around recent October trend
Air Force is 4-2 in the month of October over the last two seasons, including a 4-1 mark in conference games. AFA is 1-1 this season overall and 1-0 in league play.
The Falcons finished 3-1 in the month of October last season. Prior to last season's mark, Air Force had not posted a winning record in the month of October since going 4-0 in 1998. In fact, the Falcons had not won more than two games in the month since then. Air Force's three wins in 2007 matched the total from the previous three years combined. Air Force was undefeated at home last season (2-0), defeating UNLV, 31-14, and Wyoming, 20-12.
Air Force is 113-99-4 all-time in the month of October. The Falcons are 68-49-3 at home and 45-49-1 on the road. The team is 0-1 in neutral site games. Air Force is 41-26 in conference games in October, including a 25-13 mark at home and a 16-13 road record.
Recent October records
Year Overall Conference
2008 1-1 1-0
2007 3-1 3-1
2006 1-3 1-2
2005 1-3 1-2
2004 1-2 1-2
2003 1-2 1-1
2002 2-3 1-2
2001 2-2 1-2
2000 2-2 1-1
1999 2-2 1-2
Last week
Air Force rebounded from back-to-back losses to snap a two-game losing streak at San Diego State, defeated the Aztecs, 35-10, at Qualcomm Stadium.
The Falcons unleashed a pair of freshman first-time starters on the Aztecs and a smothering defense in the second half to post the win.
Freshman Asher Clark rushed for a career-high 109 yards on 15 carries and scored a touchdown in his first-career start to lead a Falcon rushing attack that rolled up 401 yards. Fellow rookie Tim Jefferson made his debut as the starting quarterback and added 55 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Fullback Todd Newell chipped in with a career high 77 yards and a touchdown while Kyle Lumpkin added 71 yards on 14 carries.
Jefferson hit three of five passes for 34 yards while Shea Smith hit both of his attempts for 38 yards and a touchdown as Air Force finished with 473 total yards and had an 8:40 advantage in time of possession.
Air Force's defense was outstanding, holding the Aztecs to just 13 yards on 28 plays in the second half. The Aztecs were held to 165 total yards in the game, including just 35 rushing. Senior outside linebacker Hunter Altman led a balanced attack with seven tackles and a half sack. Sophomore inside linebacker Ken Lamendola added six tackles and a tackle for loss while Justin Moore chipped in with five tackles, two tackles for loss, a pass breakup and his first-career interception which he returned 25 yards for a touchdown.
Jefferson opened the scoring for Air Force with a one-yard run on Air Force's opening drive to give the team a 7-0 lead. San Diego State answered in the second quarter when Drew Westling scored on a one-yard run. Lane Yoshida added a 45-yard field goal to give the Aztecs a 10-7 halftime lead. The second half was all-Air Force. Clark scored on a nine-yard run to give Air Force the lead for good, 14-10. Newell added a one-yard run to extend the lead to 21-10. Moore returned an interception for a score early in the fourth quarter to make it 28-10. Josh Cousins then hauled in a 32-yard scoring toss from Smith with just under 10 minutes remaining to make up the final margin.
Last game's notes
Team Notes
- Air Force improved to 18-9 overall and 7-5 in San Diego against the Aztecs. Head coach Troy Calhoun improved to 2-0 vs. San Diego State.
- Air Force has won for the sixth consecutive time following a loss to Navy, who beat Air Force last week.
- Head coach Troy Calhoun improved to 13-6 overall and 8-3 in conference games during his career. His 8-3 conference mark is the fourth-best in Mountain West Conference history and ties as the best start ever in conference play by an Air Force coach. Fisher DeBerry also started 8-3 in 1984 and 1985 in Western Athletic Conference play.
- Air Force improved to 6-4 vs. San Diego State as members of the Mountain West Conference.
- Air Force improved to 316-266-13 all-time in its 53rd year of varsity football. The Falcons improved to 146-155-10 all-time in away/neutral site games.
- Air Force is now 3-0 this season and 7-3 under head coach Troy Calhoun when the team scores first in a game.
- Air Force improved to 10-1 under head coach Troy Calhoun with a 100-yard rusher. The Falcons were 9-1 last season with the only loss coming in the Armed Forces Bowl vs. California.
- Air Force's touchdown on its opening drive of the game marks the first time this season that the team has scored on its opening drive. The Falcons turned the ball over on downs and punted four times in their previous five games.
- Air Force's 16-play scoring drive in the first quarter is the second longest this season in terms of plays and longest since a 17-play drive in the opening game of the season vs. Southern Utah.
- Air Force's defense forced a punt on San Diego State's opening drive of the game to mark the fifth time in six games the Falcons have held their opponents without points. The Falcons have forced three punts a turnover on downs and a field goal in the previous five games.
- Air Force scored on its opening drive of the second half (Asher Clark nine-yard run) for the third time this season. The Falcons also scored touchdowns vs. Southern Utah and Houston. Defensively, Air Force forced a punt on San Diego State's opening drive which marks the fourth time this season they have held the opponent without points. Air Force's last two opponents (Utah and Navy) scored touchdowns. Air Force forced two punts and a fumble in the other three games.
- Air Force's 28-point second half is its largest scoring half this season. The previous best was 21 vs. Southern Utah in the first half of the season opener. The 28 points is the best second half since scoring 20 against Wyoming and Southern Utah.
- Air Force's 473 yards of total offense are the second-most this season and most since collecting 508 in the season opener vs. Southern Utah.
Individual Notes
- Freshman QB Tim Jefferson made his first career start. Jefferson is just the third AFA freshman ever to start at quarterback in a conference game. Dee Dowis (1986 vs. BYU) and Shaun Carney (2004 vs. UNLV) are the only other freshmen to start in a conference game. Jefferson capped Air Force's opening drive of the game with his first-career touchdown on a one-yard run. He finished the game with career highs in rushing attempts with 12 and rushing yards with 55. His previous best in each category came vs. Navy with six carries for 35 yards.
- Freshman TB Asher Clark made the first start of his career. Clark also started his first game as a deep man on the kickoff return team and had his first-career kickoff return. Clark finished the game with career highs of 15 carries and 109 yards. He also had a career-long 11-yard run and has now scored a rushing touchdown in two straight games. Clark is the first Falcon since Shaun Carney (108) and Jim Ollis (101) vs. California in the 2007 Armed Forces Bowl to rush for 100 or more yards in a game and the first freshman to do it since Qualario Brown, who rushed for 158 yards on 12 carries vs. San Jose State in 1997.
- Sophomore CB Anthony Wright made the first tackle for loss of his career on SDSU's first play, a one-yard loss on a pass completion.
- Senior FB Todd Newell notched his second consecutive game with a career high in rushing yards. Newell rushed for a career-best 77 yards, in a return to his hometown vs. San Diego State. His previous career high of 50 yards came vs. Navy. Newell also recorded a career high in carries with 19. His previous high of 15 came vs. Navy.
- Senior DE Jake Paulson recorded 1.5 sacks vs. San Diego State to mark the fifth time in six games this season he's had at least one sack in a game. Paulson entered the game leading the nation in sacks with a 1.40 per-game average. He now has 8.5 sacks this season.
- Junior ILB Justin Moore intercepted the first pass of his career and returned it for his first-career touchdown. The INT return for a touchdown is the first by a Falcon this season and first since Drew Fowler returned one vs. Colorado State last season for a score.
- Junior SS Chris Thomas record his first interception this season and third of his career. The turnover is the third this season for Thomas, as he also has two fumble recoveries.
- Junior WR Josh Cousins scored the first touchdown of his career on a career-long 32-yard reception in the fourth quarter. Cousins matched his career high with three receptions and set a new career best with 41 yards. His previous high was 37 yards vs. Utah.
One of America's top coaches
Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun is quickly becoming one of America's top coaches. He is 13-6 overall and 8-3 in conference play in his second year at the helm at the Academy.
In his first year at Air Force, the 1989 Academy graduate led the Falcons to the most wins ever by a first-year head coach, along with the nine wins by Ben Martin in 1958. Calhoun led the team to six conference wins which is the most ever by a first-year head coach, breaking the mark of four set by Fisher DeBerry in 1984.
Calhoun began his coaching career at the Academy, then after serving his military committment, was an assistant at Ohio University, later becoming the offensive coordinator. He was the offensive coordinator at Wake Forest before joining the National Football League with the Denver Broncos from 2003-05. He was the offensive coorinator for the Houston Texans in 2006 before returning to his alma mater last season as the sixth head coach in school history.
Calhoun was named the AFCA Region 5 Coach of the Year for 2007. Calhoun, who was also named the Mountain West Conference coach of the year, joined five other coaches to win the honor.
Calhoun is fourth in Mountain West Conference history in career winning percentage in conference games with a .727 mark (8-3).
Winningest MWC Coaches
# Name, School Tenure Record Pct.
1. Urban Meyer, Utah 2003-05 13-1 .929
2. Bronco Mendenhall, BYU 2005- 22-3 .880
3. Gary Patterson, TCU 2005- 21-6 .778
4. Troy Calhoun, Air Force 2007- 8-3 .727
Young team in 2008
Air Force features one of its youngest teams in history in 2008. The Falcons lost 15 starters from the 2007 squad that finished 9-4 overall and placed second in the Mountain West Conference with a 6-2 mark. The team lost eight starters on offense, including four-year starting quarterback Shaun Carney and all-purpose back Chad Hall, the conference offensive player of the year. Defensively, the Falcons lost six starters, including first-team all-conference linebackers John Rabold (2007) and Drew Fowler (2006) as well as first-team all-MWC cornerback Carson Bird, the conference's leader in interceptions last year. The Falcons also lost deep snapper Tony Norman.
In terms of games played and started, the Falcons lost 14 players with 30 career games played, plus four more with 25 career games played. In addition, Air Force only has 17 seniors on its roster this season which ranks as the 19th fewest in the nation.
Percentage of offense / defense lost to graduation
Category Lost Pct Lost Notes
Passing yards 1,491 95.7 Top passer lost
Rushing yards 3,482 89.4 Top six rushers lost
Receiving 952 61.1 Top two receivers lost
Punt returns 176 100.0 Top punt returner lost
Scoring 210 54.0 Three of top four scoreres lost
All-purpose yards 5,254 79.8 Top four lost
Total offense 4,974 91.2 Top six lost
Interceptions 14 ints 93.3 Top three and seven of top eight lost
Tackles 534 53.2 Team leader, four of top five lost
2008 Notes
- Air Force's top three rushers this season are sophomores -- Kyle Lumpkin, Kyle Halderman, Savier Stephens.
- Air Force's leading passer is senior Shea Smith, who is in his first season of significant action. Freshman Tim Jefferson moved into the starting lineup vs. SDSU.
- Air Force's leading receiver is sophomore Kevin Fogler.
- The team's top two punt returners are sophomore Reggie Rembert and freshman Anthony Wright
- Air Force's leading tackler is sophomore Ken Lamendola
Air Force 14th nationally in terms of freshmen playing
The Falcons are the youngest team in the Mountain West Conference and 14th youngest nationally in terms of freshmen playing. The freshmen that have played for Air Force this season follow: 5 - Anthony Wright (CB), 7 - Tim Jefferson (QB), 11 - Jaquon Robinson (WR), 15 - Jonathan Warzeka (WR), 16 - Jon Davis (SS), 17 - Asher Clark (TB/QB), 33 - P.J. Adeji-Paul (CB), 73 - A.J. Wallerstein (OT), 84 - Daniel Pickett (TE), 99 - Erik Soderberg (PK). Wright, Jefferson, Davis, Clark and Wallerstein appear in the Air Force two-deep chart weekly.
True Freshmen Who Have Played
Florida State 22
Miami (Fla.) 21
Arkansas 16
Alabama 15
SMU 15
Minnesota 14
Georgia 12
Tulane 12
UAB 11
Central Michigan 11
Rice 11
Iowa State 11
UCLA 11
Air Force 10
Arizona State 10
Florida 10
North Texas 10
San Jose State 10
Air Force defense solid
Air Force's defense has been solid this season. Air Force ranks third in the conference and 34th nationally in scoring defense with an 18.5 average. The Falcons are second in the MWC and 13th in the nation in pass defense, allowing just 162.0 yards per game. The team is third in the conference and 24th nationally in total defense with a 288.2 average.
Air Force had one of its best performances of the season last week vs. San Diego State. The Falcons allowed just 165 total yards and just 2.5 yards per play. SDSU was held to just 13 yards on 28 plays in the second half. Over the last two weeks, Air Force has allowed just 204.5 yards per game. Air Force's defense has had several bright spots this season, which follow below.
Defensive season highlights
- The Falcons allowed just 10 points in the first two games this season which is the best effort in back-to-back games since allowing 10 points at Army (W, 35-7) and at Wyoming (W, 10-3) in 1998. The 10 points allowed in the opening two games of a season is the second-best in school history and best since the 1963 team allowed just seven in a 10-7 win vs. Washington and a 69-0 victory vs. Colorado State.
- The Falcons have ranked as high as fifth nationally in total defense with an average of 173.0 yards allowed per game. The ranking came in week two.
- The Falcons held Southern Utah to just 130 total yards, including just seven yards on the ground. Southern Utah managed just eight first downs, was just 2-12 on third-down conversions and never reached the red zone. Southern Utah avoided the shutout late in the third-quarter with an 80-yard touchdown drive. Outside of that one drive, the Thunderbirds managed just 50 total yards and they never got deeper in Air Force territory than the 42 yard line.
- The 130-yard effort by the defense vs. Southern Utah is the fifth-best single-game effort in school history and best since holding Army to just 100 yards in 1999. The seven yards rushing is the 14th-best single-game effort in Air Force history. Air Force held Southern Utah to just 0.3 yards per rush which is the 10th-best single-game effort in school history.
- Air Force held Wyoming to 2-13 on third-down conversions and 22:46 time of possession.
- Air Force scored its first defensive touchdown of the season when senior DE Jake Paulson returned a fumble 25 yards for a touchdown vs. Utah. The score is the first by an Air Force defensive lineman since Bryce Fisher vs. Oregon in the 1997 Las Vegas Bowl.
- The Falcons added a second defensive score when junior ILB Justin Moore returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown vs. San Diego State.
- Air Force held Navy, who entered the game second nationally in rushing with a 335.0 per-game average, to a season low 206 yards.
- Air Force has held four opponents (Southern Utah, 130; Wyoming, 216; Navy, 244; San Diego State, 165) under 300 yards of total offense.
More on the defense
Air Force has allowed just three scores on the opeing drive of the first or second half this season. Utah scored the first to open the second half, scoring a touchdown. Navy added a field goal to open the game and a touchdown following an AF fumble on its own 10 to opened the second half.
The Air Force offense has had nine turnovers this season and the defense has allowed just 13 points as a result. Navy scored 10 points off turnovers, but took possession both times inside the Air Force 20. The Midshipmen scored a touchdown after getting the ball on the 10 and a field goal after getting it on the 18. The other score came against Wyoming. The defense forced a three-and-out, but Wyoming hit a 47-yard field goal. On the eight drives (one turnover vs. Utah ended the game) combined, the defense has allowed just 44 yards on 27 plays which is an average of 1.8 yards per play.
Opponent opening drives
Game 1st Half 2nd Half
Southern Utah Punt (3-6-1:15) Punt (3-9-:47)
Wyoming Punt (3-5-:59) Fumble (1-3-:07)
Houston Punt (4-26-2:40) Punt (9-38-3:02) -- two first downs
Utah Down (5-12-2:38) Touchdown (8-69-3:53)
Navy FG (13-62-7:13) Touchdown (3-10-1:14)
San Diego State Punt (4-(-3)-1:50) Punt (6-10-2:29)
Total 32 plays; 108 yds 30 plays; 139 yds
Average 5.3 pl, 18 yds 5 pl, 23.1 yds
Air Force defense following a turnover
Opponent Turnover Spot Result
Southern Utah fumble AF 42 Punt (3-1-:57)
fumble Opp 20 Punt (7-21-3:52)
Wyoming Interception AF 31 FG (4-1-1:29)
Utah Interception AF 44 Fumble (3-1-:53)
Interception AF 39 End of game
Navy Fumble AF 10 TD (3-10-1:14)
Fumble AF 18 FG (4-3-1:56)
San Diego State Fumble AF 32 MFG (5-15-:11)
Fumble Opp 20 Punt (3-7-1:27)
Totals 27 plays; 44 yards
Quarterback sacks
Air Force is among the national leaders in quarterback sacks, both offensively and defensively. The Falcons have forced 21 quarterback sacks for 135 yards which ranks second in the conference and third nationally. Senior defensive end Jake Paulson has recorded 8.5 sacks and leads the nation with a 1.42 per-game average.
Offensively, the Falcons have not allowed a quarterback sack this season, which leads the conference and ranks first nationally.
2008 National Sack Leaders
# Team G Total Average
1. TCU 7 27.0 3.86
2. Texas 6 22.0 3.67
3. Air Force 6 21.0 3.50
Oklahoma 6 21.0 3.50
5. Oregon 8 24.0 3.43
Air Force's 21 sacks this season are just seven away from the single-season top 10 list in Air Force history. The Falcons are on pace for 42 sacks this season which would tie for third in school history. The Falcons set the school record with 47 sacks in 1994. AFA had 44 in 1986 and 42 in 1998.
Air Force sixth nationally
- Air Force has scored in 187 consecutive games dating back to 1992.
- The Falcons were last shutout by Mississippi, 13-0, in the 1992 Liberty Bowl.
- Air Force's streak is the second-longest active streak of teams in the Mountain West Conference and the sixth longest in the country.
# School Streak Last Shutout
1. Michigan 294 Oct. 20, 1984 at Iowa (0-26)
2. Washington State 280 Sept. 15, 1984 at Ohio State (0-44)
3. Florida 249 Oct. 29, 1988 vs. Auburn (0-16)
4. Colorado 241 Nov. 12, 1988 at Nebraska (0-7)
5. TCU (MWC) 197 Nov. 16, 1991 at Texas (0-32)
6. Air Force (MWC) 187 #--Dec. 31, 1992 vs. Mississippi (0-13), #--Liberty Bowl)
- Air Force's 187-game scoring streak is the 16th longest in Division I-A college history
- of the top 16 all-time, nine were started in the 1980s while the other five began in the 1970s.
Here's that list:
# School Streak Dates Ended By
1. Brigham Young 361 9/27/1975 - 11/15/2003 Utah
2. Michigan 294 10/27/1984 - present ..................
3. Texas 281 11/29/1980 - 10/02/2004 Oklahoma
4. Washington State 280 10/22/1984 - present ..................
5. Washington 272 11/14/1981 - 10/16/2004 USC
6. Oregon 267 10/05/1985 - 11/15/2007 UCLA
7. Florida 249 11/05/1988 - present ..................
8. UCLA 245 10/02/1971 - 10/17/1992 Arizona State
9. Colorado 241 11/19/1988 - present ..................
10. Nebraska 233 1/01/1974 - 11/29/1991 Miami, Fla.
11. Florida State 232 9/10/1988 - 11/11/2006 Wake Forest
12. Hawaii 219 12/04/1976 - 11/04/1995 Colorado State
13. Arizona 214 9/09/1972 - 12/15/1990 Syracuse
14. Virginia 195 9/15/1984 - 10/28/2000 Georgia Tech
15. TCU 197 11/23/1991 - present ..................
16. Air Force 187 8/04/1993 - present .......................
Air Force conference/national rushing numbers
- Air Force leads the conference and ranks fifth nationally in rushing with a 292.5 average.
- Air Force has won 24 conference rushing titles since joining conference play in 1980.
- In 2002, the Falcons won the school's first national rushing title with a 307.8 per-game average.
- The Falcons won their 10th straight conference title in 2007 with a 299.5 average.
Year Stats Conf. National
1980 170.7 5th 79th
1981 185.1 4th 53rd
1982 301.7 1st 4th
1983 246.5 1st 2nd
1984 326.5 1st 2nd
1985 293.2 1st 6th
1986 232.6 1st 15th
1987 386.3 1st 2nd
1988 377.5 1st 2nd
1989 356.0 1st 3rd
1990 267.5 1st 7th
1991 338.1 1st 2nd
1992 242.4 2nd 7th
1993 284.9 1st 4th
1994 304.8 1st 2nd
1995 332.4 1st 2nd
1996 328.9 1st 2nd
1997 332.7 2nd 9th
1998 266.8 1st 3rd
1999 285.5 1st 2nd
2000 294.9 1st 2nd
2001 273.2 1st 3rd
2002 307.8 1st 1st
2003 280.6 1st 4th
2004 277.4 1st 4th
2005 246.5 1st 8th
2006 229.4 1st 3rd
2007 299.5 1st 2nd
2008 292.5 1st 5th
2008 National rushing leaders
# Team G Avg.
1. La.-Lafayette 6 332.17
2. Navy 6 313.50
3. Nevada 6 308.83
4. Oklahoma State 6 293.83
5. Air Force 6 292.50
Bounce back the norm
Air Force has lost a disappointing six straight games to Navy, but has shown what it's made of the following week. Air Force has won all six games the following week, including last week's 35-10 win at San Diego State to improve to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in MWC play.
Air Force was in the same place this year, as it was a year ago after five games. Air Force opened the 2007 season with three straight wins before losing back-to-back games, the second coming to Navy. Air Force won six of its next seven games to close the regular season on the way to a 9-4 overall record and second place finish in the MWC with a 6-2 mark. The Falcons began the run with a conference win over UNLV to start a three-game winning streak. Following a loss at New Mexico, Air Force won its final three regular season games.
Rushing for 100 is the key
Air Force is nearly unbeatable when it has had a 100-yard rusher under head coach Troy Calhoun. The Falcons are 10-1 in games when they have a player rush for 100 or more yards and 13-3 when they out-rush opponents. The team's only loss came in the 2007 Armed Forces Bowl vs. California. Air Force has had multiple players rush for 100 yards or more twice during the last two years. The list of 100-yard rushers for each game follows below:
Year Game Player Yards Result
2007 South Carolina St. Kip McCarthy 129 W 34-3
Utah Shaun Carney 113 W 20-12
TCU Jim Ollis 138 W 20-17 OT
UNLV Chad Hall 169 W 31-14
Colorado State Chad Hall 256 W 45-21
Wyoming Chad Hall 167 W 20-12
Army Chad Hall 275 W 30-10
Notre Dame Chad Hall 142 W 41-24
San Diego State Jim Ollis 163 W 55-23
Chad Hall 151
Ty Paffett 105
California Shaun Carney 108 L 36-42
Jim Ollis 101
2008 San Diego State Asher Clark 109 W 35-10
Blocked kicks
- The Falcons have blocked 101 kicks since 1990.
- Air Force blocked two kicks last season, a field goal by Chris Thomas vs. TCU and a field goal vs. Navy by Ryan Kemp.
- Jake Paulson (PAT vs. UNLV in 2006), Hunter Altman (Punt vs. UNLV in 2006), Chris Thomas (FG vs. TCU) and Ryan Kemp (FG vs. Navy) are current Falcons with a blocked kick in their career.
Year-by-Year Blocks Since 1990
Year Total Punts FGs PATs
1990 6 3 1 2
1991 3 1 1 1
1992 8 6 1 1
1993 5 2 3 0
1994 5 4 1 0
1995 3 1 2 0
1996 4 1 3 0
1997 11* 7 3 1 * - school record
1998 7 4 3 0
1999 8 6 1 1
2000 9 4 2 3
2001 7 2 3 2
2002 4 3 1 0
2003 7 3 3 1
2004 2 0 0 2
2005 3 2 0 1
2006 7 2 0 5
2007 2 0 2 0
Totals 101 51 30 20
Air Force takes it away
Air Force has picked up where it left off last season, collecting a +7 turnover margin this season. The Falcons have had multiple takeaways in every game this season. The team's 1.17 per-game turnover margin average ranks third in the MWC and 11th nationally. Air Force has forced 16 turnovers this season, including 11 fumbles and five interceptions. The Falcons have recovered 11 of the opponent's 13 fumbles this season and rank second in the conference and third nationally in fumble recoveries .
2008 Turnovers: (Southern Utah, 2; Wyoming, 5; Houston, 2; Utah, 3; Navy, 2; San Diego State, 2).
The Air Force defense had 28 takeaways last season which ranked second in the Mountain West Conference behind only Utah (33). The Falcons scored 120 points off those turnovers. The team's +10 turnover margin ranked second in the MWC and 15th in the nation. The Falcons forced 15 interceptions and 13 fumble recoveries. Over the last two seasons, Air Force has a combined +17 mark under head coach Troy Calhoun.
Air Force takeaways and +/- in last 10 years
Year Takeaways(Int./Fum.) +/- W/L
2008 16 (5/11) +7 4-2
2007 28 (15/13) +10 9-4
2006 22 (9/13) +8 4-8
2005 17 (9/8) -7 4-7
2004 17 (9/8) +1 5-7
2003 23 (13/10) +6 7-5
2002 26 (12/14) +9 8-5
2001 28 (14/14) +8 6-6
2000 19 (7/12) +7 9-3
1999 14 (8/6) -4 6-5
1998 30 (17/13) +17 12-1
Commander-in-Chief's Trophy
Air Force, Army and Navy compete each year for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, which is emblematic of service academy football supremacy. The trophy goes annually to the winning academy with the best record in round-robin competition. The President of the United States presents the trophy to the seniors from the winning team each year at a ceremony at the White House.
The 2008 season marks the 37th year of trophy competition. Navy defeated Air Force, 33-27, in Falcons Stadium in the opening game of this year's series. Despite the loss, Air Force has a 46-26-0 all-time CIC record and has won 16 trophy titles. Air Force's overall record and number of trophy titles are best among the three academies.
Team Record Pct.
Air Force 47-26-0 .644
Navy 36-36-1 .500
Army 25-46-1 .354
Air Force outright CIC title years:
`82, `83, `85, `87, `89, `90, `91, `92, `94, `95, `97, `98, `99, `00, `01, `02
Dekker stands out on and off the field
Senior TE Travis Dekker returned to action vs. Navy after missing the first four games of the season with a broken ankle. Dekker's impact was felt immediately, as he tied for the team lead in receptions with three for 32 yards. His return also sparked a season high 184 yards passing for Air Force. Dekker has been a standout on and off the field as well. A quick hit of some of the awards he's won and been nominated for follow:
- One of 71 nominees for the 71st annual Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team. The Good Works Team recognizes this group of committed and hard-working players for their off-the-field achievements.
- One of 164 semifinalists for the 2008 Draddy Trophy, presented by HealthSouth, and the candidates for the 2008 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards. Established to honor former NFF Chairman Vincent dePaul Draddy, a Manhattan College quarterback who developed the Izod and Lacoste brands, the award comes with a 25-pound bronze trophy and a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship.
- One of 30 Division I football players chosen as a candidate for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. This is the inaugural year that the award will be presented in football. The Lowe's Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages those leaders to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact on their circle of influence. This prestigious awards program was launched during the 2001-02 basketball season, added six additional sports in 2007, and has now expanded this year to include NCAA football.
Two-way Reggie
Sophomore Reggie Rembert is a busy man during games. Rembert is a starter at cornerback on the defense and is a backup at WR-Z on offense. In addition, Rembert is on the punt and kickoff return teams. He ranks third in the MWC in punt returns this season with a 12.9 average and is seventh in kickoff returns with an 18.4 norm.
Rembert is the first Falcon to play both offense and defense in a game at the Academy since Chris Evans, who played both tight end and defensive end due to injuries against Army in 2006. Evans did not have any statistics and played both only that week. LeRon Hudgins is the last player to play both ways significantly as a safety and running back in 1995. Hudgins was listed as a starter on defense and played most of the season as a backup halfback in the option offense.
In 1967, Carl Janssen was the first Falcon to start on both sides of the ball and on special teams. As the starting wide receiver and three-year player at that position, he led the team with 18 catches for 259 yards and a TD in 1967 and had one carry for two yards. He also started at defensive back. He was third on the team with two interceptions and also had a fumble recovery. Janssen led the team with 23 punt returns for 233 yards, a 10.1 average. He also returned one kickoff for 30 yards.
Rembert highlights
- Had 102 all-purpose yards for a 20.2 average per touch vs. Southern Utah ... also had three tackles.
- Rushed four times for nine yards at Wyoming while returning one punt four yards and one kickoff return 22 yards. He also had four solo tackles and, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble.
- Six solo tackles and the first two tackles for loss of his career vs. Houston ... also recorded his career-long punt return of 53 yards to set up an Air Force touchdown ... the return ranks as the 11th longest in school history and longest since Matt Farmer went 55 yards vs. New Mexico in 1998.
- Seven tackles and the first quarterback sack and interterception of his career vs. Utah.
- Collected a career-best 103 return yards vs. Navy, 94 on five kickoff returns.
Opponent Plays (Def/Off/ST) Tackles Rushing Receiving Returns Totals Avg.
Southern Utah 53 (42/4/7) 3-0-3 1-21 0-0 4-81 5-102 20.2
Wyoming 67 (50/7/10) 4-0-4 4-9 0-0 2-26 6-35 5.8
Houston 92 (85/0/7) 6-0-6 0-0 0-0 4-97 4-97 24.3
Utah 93 (79/0/14) 6-1-7 0-0 0-0 3-41 3-41 13.7
Navy 74 (58/0/16) 1-0-1 0-0 0-0 7-103 7-103 14.7
San Diego State 69 (59/0/10) 1-0-1 0-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 0.0
Totals 448 (373/11/64) 21-1-22 5-30 0-0 21-348 26-378 14.5
Paulson leading the nation
Senior defensive end Jake Paulson is having an outstanding season. Paulson has 8.5 quarterback sacks and leads the nation with a 1.42 per-game average. Paulson ranks second in the conference and fourth nationally in tackles for loss with 11.0 which is a 1.83 per-game average. Paulson is also among the conference and national leaders in fumble recoveries. He ranks third in the conference and 12th nationally with .33 fumble recoveries per game.
Paulson has been dominant in every game, recording at least one sack in five of six. He didn't have a sack for the only time this season vs. Navy, who threw only two passes in the game. Paulson had four tackles, two sacks, a tackle for loss and a safety in the opening game against Southern Utah. He added 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble at Wyoming. Paulson had a career-best seven tackles against Houston, including 2.5 sacks for 19 yards and a pass deflection. He added three tackles and a sack vs. Utah and scored the first touchdown of his career on a 25-yard fumble recovery. The TD is the first defensive score this season and first touchdown by a defensive lineman since Bryce Fisher vs. Oregon in the 1997 Las Vegas Bowl. Paulson matched his career-best with seven tackles against Navy and had one tackle for loss and a fumble recovery for 10 yards.
Paulson game-by-game
Opponent Statistics
Southern Utah 4-0-4, 2.0 sacks, 1 TFL, safety
Wyoming 2-1-3, 1.5 sacks, forced fumble
Houston 6-1-7, 2.5 sacks, pass deflection
Utah 2-1-3, 1.0 sack, 25-yard fumble return for a TD
Navy 3-4-7, 1.0 TFL, fumble recovery for 10 yards
San Diego State 2-3-5, 1.5 sacks, .5 TFL, pass deflection
Individual National Sack Leaders
# Name, Team G Total Avg
1. Jake Paulson, Air Force 6 8.5 1.42
2. Philip Hunt, Houston 6 8.0 1.33
3. Alex Carrington, Ark. State 6 7.5 1.25
Brian Orakpo, Texas 6 7.5 1.25
5. Clint Sintim, Virginia 6 7.0 1.17
Individual National TFL Leaders
# Name, Team G Total Avg
1. Brandon Graham, Michigan 5 10.5 2.10
2. Brit Miller, Illinois 6 12.5 2.08
3. Alex Carrington, Ark. State 6 11.5 1.92
4. Jake Paulson, Air Force 6 11.0 1.83
Jammie Kirlew, Indiana 6 11.0 1.83
Halderman hauls it
Sophomore Kyle Halderman is one of the big-play men for the Falcons. Halderman is second on the team in rushing with a 48.8 per-game average. Halderman rushed for 87 yards on six carries in the season opening win over Southern Utah and scored on a 48-yard dash. Halderman led the Falcons with 85 yards on three carries at Wyoming and broke open the game in the third quarter with a 74-yard run to set up a touchdown to give Air Force a 13-3 lead. The 74-yard run is the longest by a Falcon since Blane Morgan went 80 yards vs. New Mexico in 1998. Halderman rushed for 66 yards on 11 carries against Houston.
He showed he's a big-play receiver as well vs. Navy, recording his first-career catch which was good for a 19-yard touchdown. Halderman finished the day tied for the team lead in receptions with three for a team-best 62 yards and his first-career touchdown receiving. He also added 32 yards rushing on four carries vs. the Midshipmen. He has rushed for 293 yards on 30 carries this season and is averaging 9.8 yards per carry.
Harrison among the best
Senior do-everything kicker/punter Ryan Harrison is tied for 14th in the nation in field goals, averaging 1.67 per game. Harrison has hit 10 of 12 field goals. His 83.3 percentage is tied as the fourth best in school history and best since Joey Ashcroft hit 88.8 in 2002. Harrison is perfect in 20 extra point attempts to tie for the national lead. He is averaging 8.3 points per game which ranks second in the conference and 39th in the nation. He is also a weapon on kickoffs, collecting 20 touchbacks in 35 kickoffs.
Harrison tied a career high with three field goals vs. Southern Utah and Wyoming earlier this season. He had had three consecutive games with three field goals dating back to last year's finale vs. California in the bowl game. He hit his first attempt at Houston to extend his consecutive streak of field goals to 16 before missing from 41 yards. Harrison has hit 19 of his last 21 attempts dating back to the Wyoming game last season.
Harrison is tied for fifth in Air Force history in career field goals with 29 which is the most since Joey Ashcroft hit 29 from 2001-03. Harrison has hit 29 of 39 careeer attempts and his 74.4 percentage ranks fifth all-time at Air Force.
Harrison career numbers
Season FG Punting PATs Kickoffs
2008 10-12 (83.3) 16-37.6 20-20 (1.000) 35 total -20 TBs
2007 19-27 (70.4) 46-42.9 44-46 (.957) 77 total -32 TBs
Totals 29-39 (74.4) 62-41.5 64-66 (97.0) 112 total - 52 TBs (46.4 pct)
Career Field Goals Career Field Goal Percentage
# Name, Years FGs # Name, Years Pct
1. Dave Lawson, 1972-75 51 1. Jackson Whiting, 1998-99 82.6 (19-23)
2. Sean Pavlich, 1980-83 42 2. Joe Wood, 1989-91 79.6 (39-49)
3. Joe Wood, 1989-91 39 3. David Adams, 1998-00 76.4 (26-34)
4. Joey Ashcroft, 2001-03 29 4. Carlos Mateos, 1984 75.0 (12-16)
5. Ryan Harrison, 2007-08 29 5. Ryan Harrison, 2007-08 74.4 (29-39)
Joe Ashcroft, 2001-03 74.4 (29-39)
Single-Season Field Goal Percentage
# Name, Year Pct.
1. Jackson Whiting, 1999 1.000 (12-12)
2. Joey Ashcroft, 2002 88.8 (16-18)
3. Joe Wood, 1990 85.7 (12-14)
4. Sean Pavlich, 1982 83.3 (15-18)
Ryan Harrison, 2008 83.3 (10-12)
Air Force's 1-2 tailback punch; Clark added to mix
The tailback position is the youngest on the team as a pair of sophomores and a freshman have combined for a one-two punch this season. Second-year players Kyle Lumpkin and Savier Stephens, along with freshman Asher Clark, make up a solid group at the position. Stephens is the only player that saw varsity action last year as Lumpkin was a junior varsity player.
The first five games of the season saw Lumpkin and Stephens as the one-two punch. Last week at San Diego State, Clark stepped into the mix as the starter with Lumpkin as the backup. The results were solid, as the the pair combined for a season-high 180 yards on 29 carries. Clark, making his first-career start, rushed for a career-high 109 yards on 15 carries and scored a touchdown. Clark is the first Air Force freshman to rush for 100 yards since Qualario Brown rushed for 158 at San Jose State in 1997. Lumpkin added 71 yards on 14 carries. Stephens added 19 yards on three carries in the final minutes. Lumpkin leads the Falcons in rushing on the year with 371 yards. His 61.8 yards per game rank sixth in the conference. A closer look at the one-two punch by game follows:
Game Lumpkin Stephens Clark Total
Southern Utah 19-77-0 16-62-0 -- 35-139-0
Wyoming 16-71-0 13-37-0 -- 29-108-0
Houston 20-74-0 14-60-1 -- 34-134-1
Utah 12-36-0 13-33-1 -- 25-69-1
Navy 10-42-0 7-24-0 -- 17-66-0
San Diego State 14-71-0 -- 15-109-1 29-180-1
Together again
The Air Force trio of juniors Chris Thomas (safety) and Justin Moore (ILB) and sophomore Will Keuchler (OLB) have reunited at the Academy. The trio of classmates was first together in Westerville, Ohio, at St. Francis DeSales High School where they helped the football team to a state championship game appearance. They are together again this season. Keuchler, who attended the Academy's Prep School, is a back at outside linebacker, while Thomas enters his second season as a starter at safety. Moore is listed as a backup inside linebacker. They were coached by Bob Jacoby in high school.
Moore is more
Junior ILB Justin Moore had best career game vs. San Diego State, recording five total tackles and matching his career high with three unassisted tackles. Moore also recorded his first-career interception and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown. He is the first Falcon with an interception return for a score since Drew Folwer vs. Colorado State last year. Moore also had two tackles for loss for seven yards and a pass breakup.
Smith continues solid play
Senior quarterback Shea Smith has been solid this season. Smith started the first five games of the season before giving way to freshman Tim Jefferson. Smith has rushed for 229 yards and leads the team with six rushing touchdowns. He has hit 28 of 50 passes for 394 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions. He has a 136.59 quarterback efficiency rating. Smith rushed for a career-high 93 yards and a career-best three touchdowns vs. Houston. He threw for a career-best 138 yards and a touchdown on seven of 13 passing vs. Utah. Smith threw for 128 yards and a score on eight of 12 passes vs. Navy before leaving the game due to illness. Smith rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown vs. Southern Utah in his first-career start. He is the first Falcon quarterback to win his first three career starts since Chance Harridge in 2002.
Jefferson moves into starting role; just the fourth freshman to start at QB
Freshman quarterback Tim Jefferson became just the fourth freshman starting quarterback in school history when he moved into the starting lineup last week vs. San Diego State. Jefferson joins Dave Ziebart (1976), Dee Dowis (1986) and Shaun Carney (2004) as rookie starters.
Jefferson was solid in his first start, rushing for a career-best 55 yards and his first-career touchdown on 12 carries. He also hit three of five passes for 34 yards. Jefferson was solid in his first extended time in the Navy game, rushing for 35 yards on six carries and hittting four of nine passes for 56 yards.
Jefferson has rushed for 85 yards on 20 carries this season and hit seven of 14 passes for 90 yards. He has a 104.00 quarterback efficiency rating.
Lamendola rolling
Sophomore inside linebacker Ken Lamendola is off to a great start in his first season as a starter. Lamendola leads the Falcons and is third in the conference in tackles with a 9.3 per-game average. After recording just one tackle in his first-career start in the Southern Utah game, Lamendola chipped in with four straight games of 10 or more tackles. Lamendola had 11 tackles at Wyoming, then added 12 tackles vs. Houston and Utah and a career-best 14 vs. Navy. His four-game streak of double figure tackle games is the best since All-American Chris Gizzi set the school record with 12 in 1997.
Altman all right
Senior OLB Hunter Altman has been outstanding this season, particularly the last tthree games. Altman posted back-to-back games with career highs in tackles. He set a then-career best with 12 tackles, including two tackles for loss, vs. Utah. Altman then set a new career high with 13 tackles vs. Navy and added his first-career fumble recovery. Altman had eight solo stops vs. Navy which is also a career best. Altman didn't set a career high in tackles vs. San Diego State last week, but he led the team with seven total tackles and combined with Jake Paulson for a quarterback sack.
Altman is second on the team in tackles this season with 44, including a team-best 28 unassisted. He has 2.5 tackles for loss and two pass breakups. Altman has 120 career tackles which is the second most among active players, trailing only Chris Thomas (169).
Falcon honors
Honors for Air Force football players so far in 2008
- Ryan Harrison, PK,P - 11th best kicker in the nation by Phill Steele's Magazine ... second-team preseason all-MWC as kicker and punter by Phil Steele's Magazine ... Lou Groza National Place Kicker Award star of the week vs. Wyoming.
- Nick Charles, OL - First-team all-MWC preseason ... second-team preseason all-MWC by Phil Steele's Magazine.
- Keith Williams, OL - second-team preseason all-MWC by Phil Steele's Magazine.
- Chris Thomas, DB - second-team preseason all-MWC by Phil Steele's Magazine.
- Ryan Kemp, DE - First-team all-MWC preseason.
- Travis Dekker, TE - Nominated for the AFCA Good Works Team ... Inaugural class of 30 for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award for classroom, character, community and compeition.
- Chris Thomas, SS - MWC defensive player of the week vs. Wyoming.
