Air Force defeated Utah State 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (Jerilee Bennett, Gazette file)
Air Force (2-0) visits Utah State (2-1) at 8:15 p.m. Saturday in the Mountain West Conference opener for the Falcons. (740 am, ESPNU)
Air Force injuries
Through two weeks, the Falcons have avoided all major injuries. In fact, they’ve added a starter into the mix now what Roland Ladipo is set to return. But recent history has shown this run of health won’t last. The Falcons are loaded with experience in the starting lineup and at some backup spots, but there are others where untested players are an injury away from seeing the field. If some of those players are called upon – like Arion Worthman at quarterback or Kyle Floyd at free safety or pretty much anybody on the offensive line – how might it impact what figures to be a close game given Utah State’s history of success playing in their own stadium?
The legs of Kent Myers
Utah State quarterbacks have enjoyed prolific performances against Air Force, with an average line over the past three years of 26-of-39 passing for 345 yards and 3.7 touchdowns, while adding eight carries for 45 yards. The main weapon is the speed that has allowed them to get away from Air Force’s rush and exploit the mismatches created by the aggressive blitzes called by defensive coordinator Steve Russ. Kent Myers has that ability, but he was also sacked three times by Air Force last year and took a pounding last week against Arkansas State. The Falcons’ ability to hurry or bring down Myers figures to be the most important factor in the game outside of turnovers.
Recovering from the unexpected
Strange things happen on the road. As coach Troy Calhoun put it, “You thought you were going to have American cheese and you got cheddar cheese on your sandwich. You thought you were going to have certain shoelaces and you got different shoelaces.” The last time Air Force went to Utah State it gave up a 75-yard touchdown on the first play, lost a fumble on the goal-line, lost its quarterback to an injury for a while and tossed more interceptions (2) than completed passes (1) in the second quarter. The list of issues might not be as extensive on Saturday, but some things will go wrong and Air Force’s ability to recover will be critical.
Air Force defeated Utah State 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (Jerilee Bennett, Gazette file)The Air Force football team run onto the field with their new uniforms Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, before their game against Georgia State at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)Air Force running back Jacobi Owens scores a touchdown in the first quarter of a game against Utah State. Air Force defeated Utah State 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette) (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force defensive back Weston Steelhammer (right) blocks a pass to Utah State wide receiver Andrew Rodriguez (far left) as Rodriguez is defended by Air Force linebacker Jacob Onyechi defends in the end zone thwarting a last minute touchdown that would have tied the score. Air Force won the game 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette) (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force running back D.J. Johnson scores a touchdown on the Falcon first possession in the game against Utah St. Air Force defeated Utah State at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 15, 2015. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette) (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force quarterback Karson Roberts runs in a touchdown in the second quarter during a game against Utah State at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette) (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force defensive back Roland Ladipo (right) prevents a touchdown by defending Utah State tight end Wyatt Houston in the end zone during the fourth quarter of a game at Falcon Stadium. Air Force defeated Utah State 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette) (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force wide receiver Jalen Robinette goes up after making a catch in the fourth quarter while being defended by Utah State cornerback Jalen Davis. Air Force defeated Utah State 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette) (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force wide receiver Jalen Robinette goes upside down after making a catch in the fourth quarter while being defended by Utah State cornerback Jalen Davis. Air Force defeated Utah State 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette) (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force won the game 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force won the game 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force won the game 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force won the game 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force won the game 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force won the game 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force won the game 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force won the game 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force won the game 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force won the game 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force won the game 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force won the game 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force won the game 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force won the game 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force won the game 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force won the game 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force won the game 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force coaches and players celebrate as Air Force clinches a game with a defensive stand against Utah St. Air Force won the game 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force won the game 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force won the game 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force won the game 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force won the game 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Air Force won the game 35-28 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2015. (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)The Air Force band plays in the north tunnel for the fans above before the Falcons game against Georgia State Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)The Air Force band plays in the north tunnel for the fans above before the Falcons game against Georgia State Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)The Air Force band plays in the north tunnel for the fans above before the Falcons game against Georgia State Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)The Air Force band plays in the north tunnel for the fans above before the Falcons game against Georgia State Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)The Air Force band plays in the north tunnel for the fans above before the Falcons game against Georgia State Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)Josh Weisleder, left, Mike Brady and the Air Force band play in the north tunnel for the fans above before the Falcons game against Georgia State Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)Air Force defensive lineman Jalen Lacy and other Falcon defenders leave the lockerroom to warm up before their game against Georgia State Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)Carson Bird, Air Force’s 2007 All-American defensive back, kisses his wife Brittany Bird before flipping the coin toss as the Falcons honorary captain Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, before the game against Georgia State at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. Bird has lost his left leg as he is fighting a rare form of bone cancer called Chondrosarcoma. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)Carson Bird, Air Force’s 2007 All-American defensive back, kisses his wife Brittany Bird before flipping the coin toss as the Falcons honorary captain Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, before the game against Georgia State at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. Bird has lost his left leg as he is fighting a rare form of bone cancer called Chondrosarcoma. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)The Air Force football team run onto the field with their new uniforms Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, before their game against Georgia State at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)Honorary captain Carson Bird, Air Force’s 2007 All-American defensive back, right, is greeted by Georgia State safety Bryan Williams and Air Force defensive back Weston Steelhammer after the coin toss Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, before the game at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. Bird has lost his left leg as he is fighting a rare form of bone cancer called Chondrosarcoma. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)Air Force defensive end Samuel Byers sacks Georgia State quarterback Aaron Winchester for a 2-yard loss during the second quarter Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)Air Force tailback Jacobi Owens rushes past Georgia State safety Bobby Baker for a 2-yard touchdown run during the second quarter Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)Air Force running back Tim McVey fights for extra yardage and the first down to the Georgia State 33-yard line during the first quarter Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)Air Force cheerleaders celebrate after the Falcons scored against Georgia State during the fourth quarter Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)
