THE GAZETTE’S ALL-TIME AIR FORCE FOOTBALL TEAMOFFENSEQuarterbackDee DowisEarned Letters: ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89Best Known For: Finishing sixth in voting for the 1989 Heisman Trophy and one of the most remarkable single-game performances in academy history — an eye-popping 249 rushing yards and six touchdowns on just 13 carries in a 1989 victory over San Diego State.Notable: Diminutive signal-caller was the Western Athletic Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year and an honorable mention Associated Press All-America selection in 1989. … Still ranks as the academy’s career rushing leader with 3,612 yards. … Inducted into Air Force Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009.Offensive LineBrock StromEarned Letters: ’56, ’57, ’58Best Known For: Serving as team captain for the 1958 squad, which earned a Cotton Bowl Bid, put Falcon football on the national map and is the lone Air Force team to finish a season unbeaten (9-0-2).Notable: Air Force’s first consensus All-American (1958) and the first Air Force player to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (1985). … Member of the inaugural class inducted into the Air Force Athletics Hall of Fame.Offensive LineOrderia MitchellEarned Letters: ’70, ’71, ’72Best Know For: Helping guide the 1970 squad to the Sugar Bowl, the third bowl — and second major bowl — in school history.Notable: Three-year starter at center for a trio of teams that posted winning records. … Earned sophomore All-America honors in 1970 and was a second-team Associated Press All-American in 1972 when he served as a team captain. … Was the anchor of a pair of prolific offenses — the 1970 squad averaged 32.1 points, and the 1972 team averaged 30.4.Offensive LineFrank MindrupEarned Letters: ’96, ’97, ’98Best Known For: Aggressive style and big frame that allowed him to record 642 career knockdown blocks, including 302 in 1997 — both records at the academy.Notable: Was an American Football Foundation third-team All-American 1998, a first-team all-Western Athletic Conference selection in 1997 and a second-team all-WAC selection in 1998. … Helped guide the 1997 team to a 10-3 record and the 1998 team to a 12-1 mark and the academy’s first outright league title.Offensive LineDave Schreck

Earned Letters: ’80, ’81, ’82

Best Known For: Being a major factor in the resurgence of Air Force football in the early ’80s and becoming the academy’s first all-conference offensive lineman.

Notable: Earned third-team Associated Press All-America and first-team all-Western Athletic Conference honors in 1982. … Helped pave the way for an offense that averaged 29.9 points and 425 yards (most in academy history for a season at the time).

Offensive LineJoe RodwellEarned Letters: ’61, ’62, ’63Best Known For: Helping the 1963 team earn a berth in the Gator Bowl by winning seven games (most since 1958), including victories over Washington, Nebraska, UCLA and Colorado.Notable: Earned Helms All-America honors in 1963. … Center anchored offensive line that paved the way for the Falcons to average 4.6 yards per carry and score 30 points or more four times.Tight EndTom JozwiakEarned Letters: ’56, ’57, ’58Best Known For: Playing end on offense and defense for the unbeaten 1958 team that played TCU to a scoreless tie in the Cotton Bowl.Notable: Led the Falcons in receptions in 1956 and 1957. … Recovered a key fumble in 20-14 victory over Colorado in 1958. … Also recruited by Notre Dame and Michigan.FullbackJohn KershnerEarned Letters: ’81, ’82, ’83Best Known For: Becoming the first great fullback of Air Force’s option era and setting the mold for Falcon fullbacks with his bruising, punishing style.Notable: Described by an Air Force coach as “a man playing with children,” he led the Falcons in rushing in 1981 (685 yards), 1982 (1,056) and 1983 (934). … A Football News third-team All-American in 1983. … Ranks third all-time at academy (and first among non-quarterbacks) in career rushing yardage with 2,726.TailbackBrian BreamEarned Letters: ’69, ’70, ’71Best Known For: Rushing for more than 100 yards in nine straight games in 1970. He finished the year with 1,276 yards and 19 touchdowns (tied for second-most in a single season in academy history).Notable: Ranks eighth all-time at the academy in rushing (2,284 yards). … Air Force went 21-11 during the three seasons he lettered, including 9-3 in 1970.Slot BackChad HallEarned Letters: ’05, ’06, ’07Best Known For: His standout senior season in which he rushed for 1,478 yards (second-most in a season in academy history), caught a team-high 50 passes, scored 16 touchdowns, compiled an academy record 2,683 all-purpose yards and was named the Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year.Notable: Earned third-team All-America honors from Rivals.com and honorable mention All-America honors from SI.com. … Holds Air Force record for career all-purpose yards (4,098). … Owns academy’s two best single-game rushing performances (275 against Army, 256 against Colorado State in 2007) and best single-game all-purpose yards performance (333 against Army in 2007).Wide ReceiverErnie JenningsEarned Letters: ’68, ’69, ’70Best Known For: Being arguably the academy’s most dynamic offensive talent and holding all nine of the program’s major receiving records — receptions, receiving yards and touchdown receptions in a game, season and a career.Notable: A consensus All-American in 1970, he finished eighth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy. … Named to the Central Press All-America team in 1969. … A member of the second class inducted into the academy’s athletic Hall of Fame. … Caught 74 passes for 1,289 yards and 17 touchdowns in 1970 — numbers that seem astronomical for an Air Force program that now relies mostly on its ground attack. … Holds academy record for career kickoff return yardage (1,053).DEFENSEDefensive LineChad HenningsEarned Letters: ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87Best Known For: Being the most dominant defensive force in academy history, earning consensus All-America honors and winning the Outland Trophy (given to the country’s best interior lineman) in 1987 and being part of three Super Bowl-winning teams while with the Dallas Cowboys.Notable: Was named the Western Athletic Conference’s Defensive Player of the Decade for the 1980s. … One of only two Air Force players (along with Strom) in the College Football Hall of Fame. … Member of Air Force’s inaugural Hall of Fame class. … Holds academy records for most tackles for losses (including quarterback sacks) in a career (71) and season (31 in 1987).Defensive LineEugene OgilvieEarned Letters: ’70, ’71, ’72Best Known For: Spearheading three Air Force defenses, all of which allowed fewer than 19 points per game, including the 1970 unit that helped the Falcons reach the Sugar Bowl.Notable: Earned second-team UPI All-America honors in 1972, when he was a team captain, and third-team honors in 1971. … Shares academy record for career fumble recoveries with nine.Defensive LineDave PhillipsEarned Letters: ’56, ’57, ’58Best Known For: Earning most valuable lineman honors in the 1959 Cotton Bowl — a game that included eventual NFL great Bob Lilly — by helping the Falcons secure an unbeaten season with a 0-0 tie against TCU.Notable: Stalwart on 1958 defense that allowed 213.2 yards and 10.1 points per game — both academy records. … Along with George Pupich, stopped Colorado standout Eddie Dove at the goal line on fourth-and-goal with 16 seconds left to preserve a 20-14 victory over the Buffaloes in 1958.Defensive LineChris FunkEarned Letters: ’81, ’82, ’83, ’84Best Known For: Blocking a 31-yard field goal attempt in the final seconds of the Falcons’ game in South Bend in 1983 to secure a 23-22 victory over Notre Dame.Notable: Was named the Western Athletic Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1984. … Made 151 tackles in his junior and senior seasons. … Helped the 1984 defense allow just 315 yards and 17.4 points per game.LinebackerChris GizziEarned Letters: ’94, ’96, ’97Best Known For: Intense, blood-dripping-down-his-nose style and leading the Green Bay Packers out of the tunnel at Lambeau Field before a “Monday Night Football” game, carrying an American flag just 13 days after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.Notable: In 1997 earned second-team All-America honors from the Football Writers and third-team honors from the Associated Press. … Was the Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 1996 and 1997. … Made 179 tackles in 1997 — the third-most in a season in Air Force history.LinebackerTerry MakiEarned Letters: ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86Best Known For: Making tackles — lots of them. Holds academy records for tackles in a career (475), a season (195 in 1986) and a game (30 against Notre Dame in 1985).Notable: In 1986 was named a first-team All-American by Kodak, a second-teamer by Football News and a third-teamer by the Associated Press. … Was a first-team all-Western Athletic Conference performer in 1985 and 1986. … Late in the Falcons’ 1985 game against Notre Dame, blocked a 37-yard field goal into the hands of A.J. Scott, who returned it 77 yards for a touchdown that gave Air Force a 21-15 victory.LinebackerVergil SimpsonEarned Letters: ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92Best Known For: Harassing opposing quarterbacks, playing with emotion and making big plays from his outside linebacker spot.Notable: Ranks second behind Hennings at the academy in career quarterback sacks with 23 and third all-time in tackles for losses (46). … Earned first-team all-Western Athletic Conference honors in 1991 and 1992. … Recovered fumble in end zone for touchdown in 1991 Liberty Bowl victory over Mississippi State.CornerbackCarlton McDonaldEarned Letters: ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92Best Known For: Making big, game-changing plays when it mattered most — like his 40-yard interception return for a touchdown that sealed the Falcons’ 1990 Liberty Bowl victory over Ohio State — and becoming the academy’s fifth (and most recent) consensus All-American (in 1992).Notable: Ranks second all-time at Air Force in career interceptions (16) and third in career blocked kicks (eight). … Picked off eight passes in 1992 to lead the nation and match best mark in academy history. … Finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award (given to the nation’s top defensive back) in 1992.CornerbackTom RotelloEarned Letters: ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86Best Known For: Picking off more passes (17) than any player in Air Force history.Notable: Named a second-team All-American by Football News in 1986 when he made 91 tackles. … Two-time first-team all-Western Athletic Conference selection (1985 and 1986). … Recorded program-record eight interceptions in 1985, part of a season-record 28 picked off by the Falcons.SafetyScott ThomasEarned Letters: ’82, ’83, ’84, ’85Best Known For: A fearless, hard-hitting style that befit his nickname — Spike — and often necessitated the use of smelling salts.Notable: A consensus All-American in 1985, when he made 89 tackles and picked off six passes (tied for fourth all-time in a season at Air Force). … One of the best return men in academy history, he led the Falcons in punt and kickoff return yardage in 1984 and 1985. … Returned a punt, kickoff and interception for touchdowns in 1985. … Earned first-team all-Western Athletic Conference honors in 1985 and second-team honors in 1984.SafetyJohnny JacksonEarned Letters: ’78, ’79, ’80, ’81Best Known For: Being a physical player who hit like a linebacker and becoming the first Air Force player to earn first-team all-league honors (all-Western Athletic Conference first team in 1981).Notable: Was a Football Writers first-team All-American and an Associated Press second-team choice in 1981. … Led the 1980 team with 123 tackles.SPECIALISTSPunterMark SimonEarned Letters: ’84, ’85, ’86Best Known For: Earning Scripps-Howard All-America honors in 1985 after leading all Division I punters with a 47.3-yard average — the best single-season mark in academy history.Notable: Holds the Air Force record for career punting average (44.4 yards per punt). … Earned second-team all-Western Athletic Conference honors in 1984 and first-team honors in 1985 and 1986.KickerJoe WoodEarned Letters: ’89, ’90, ’91Best Known For: Bombing kickoffs, hitting field goals consistently and a famous do-over at Notre Dame in 1991 — he hit a field goal from 52 yards just before the end of the first half that was nullified by a false start. After the penalty, he attempted another (officially from 58 yards) and nailed it.Notable: A first-team all-Western Athletic Conference selection in 1990 and a second-team choice in 1991. … In his career made 39-of-49 field goal attempts (79.6 percent, second-best in academy history — minimum 10 attempts) and 104-of-108 extra points. … Ranks sixth all-time at the academy with 221 points. … Was selected by Houston in the 1992 draft.UtilityTerry IsaacsonEarned Letters: ’61, ’62, ’63Best Known For: Being one of the best all-around football players — and athletes — in academy history. He played quarterback and cornerback and also handled punting and return duties for the Falcons.Notable: Was a Helms All-American in 1963 when he led the Falcons in rushing (801 yards), passing (946) and punting (39 average). … Also the academy’s only three-time wrestling All-American (1962-64). … Member of the second class inducted into the academy athletics Hall of Fame.JAKE SCHALLER, THE GAZETTE

Air Force head coach Fisher DeBerry complains about a play call during a football game against UNLV at Falcon Stadium duriing the 2005 season. Air Force won the game 42-7. Photo by THE GAZETTE FILE

David Bitton