How Air Force combats the injury bug

Last year, Air Force lost tight end Garrett Griffin in warmups before the opener. The year before that it was linebacker Joey Nichol. Before that, quarterback Kale Pearson. Three key players downed in games that Air Force won 145-36. If the Falcons can run effectively against a Abilene Christian squad that gave up an average of 32.5 points per game and 5.8 yards per carry against an FCS schedule last year and build an early lead, they might be wise to treat this game like an NFL preseason game and let the experienced starters play only a quarter or so to knock off cobwebs and then spend the rest of the game watching.

Abilene Christian’s offensive strategy

The Wildcats showed offensive balance last year, attempting 362 rushes and 393 passes. It will be interesting to see if they all but abandon that running game on Saturday in exchange for attempts at big plays in the passing game. Air Force showed last year it could defend the run. Even powerful Power Five offenses from Michigan State and California averaged just 2.58 yards on 76 carries against a defense that returns almost entirely intact. But those teams also thrashed the Falcons for 10 touchdowns through the air. Aside from screen passes and the occasional quarterback scramble from a capable runner in Dallas Sealey, Abilene Christian’s might want to avoid a ground war.

Who will Air Force fans meet this year?

Jacobi Owens ran for 233 in his varsity debut in 2014. Tim McVey had a big hit on a kickoff and later scored a 31-yard touchdown in his first action last year. Alex Hansen made a tackle for loss in his first game as a freshman in 2012. There’s always somebody who makes a big first impression. This year’s candidates when it comes to offense would include Ronald Cleveland, Jake LaCoste, Malik Miller and Cody Bronkar, but the point of the surprise emergence is you can’t predict it. The key will be Air Force building that early lead to give new faces that opportunity to play and make an impact.