US Air Force Academy defensive back Brett Baldwin, center, and the rest of the team get ready to enter Falcon Stadium before the start of their game against the Virginia Military Institute Keydets on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Falcons won the game 62-0. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)
The US Air Force Academy Falcons took on Virginia Military Institute Keydets at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday Sept. 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs. The Falcons won the game 62-0.
US Air Force Academy defensive back Brett Baldwin, center, and the rest of the team get ready to enter Falcon Stadium before the start of their game against the Virginia Military Institute Keydets on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Falcons won the game 62-0. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)A parachutist carrying the American Flag makes his way into Falcon Stadium as the US Air Force Academy Falcons took on Virginia Military Institute Keydets on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo., for Parents Weekend. The Falcons won the game 62-0. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)US Air Force Academy quarterback Isaiah Sanders readies himself before the team’s next play as they took on Virginia Military Institute at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)US Air Force Academy wide receiver Roland Cleveland, right, runs the ball down the field and tries to pass Virginia Military Institute’s linebacker Kuony Deng at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Falcons won the game 62-0. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)Cadets of the US Air Force Academy stand before the start of the football game against the Virginia Military Institute Keydets at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo., for Parents Weekend. The Falcons won the game 62-0. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)US Air Force Academy running back Nolan Eriksen is brought down by Virginia Military Institute’s defensive back Greg Sanders at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Falcons won the game 62-0. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)Members of the ‘In The Stairwell’ as seen on ÒAmerica’s Got TalentÓ perform during halftime as the US Air Force Academy Falcons took on Virginia Military Institute Keydets at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Falcons won the game 62-0. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)The US Air Force Academy football took on Virginia Military Institute at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)Virginia Military Institute quarterback Austin Coulling (18), is carted off the field after sustaining an injury against the US Air Force Academy at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Falcons won the game 62-0. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)Cadets, fans and family show up for the US Air Force Academy Falcons as they took on Virginia Military Institute Keydets at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo., for Parents Weekend. The Falcons won the game 62-0. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)US Air Force Academy fullback Aubrey Duty-Tyson (32), carries the ball over the end zone for the Falcons final touchdown in the fourth quarter over the Virginia Military Institute Keydets at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Falcons won the game 62-0. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)The US Air Force Academy football took on Virginia Military Institute at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)The US Air Force Academy football took on Virginia Military Institute at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)The US Air Force Academy football took on Virginia Military Institute at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)Running back Tim McVey of US Air Force Academy runs the ball down the field for a 27-yard touchdown as the team took on Virginia Military Institute Keydets at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Falcons won the game 62-0. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)Running back Tim McVey of US Air Force Academy runs the ball down the field for a 27-yard touchdown as the team took on Virginia Military Institute Keydets at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Falcons won the game 62-0. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)US Air Force Academy running back Tim McVey, right, runs the ball as Virginia Military Institute’s linebacker Allan Cratesenberg attempts to catch him at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)6. Air Force’s young secondary If the Falcons are going to have success on defense, it must start against the run. Coordinator Steve Russ’ crew ranked 10th in the nation last year in that department despite facing three of the top four running teams (maybe that’s because it saw the No. 3 rushing team every day in practice). Many of the faces have since changed over, but linebackers Grant Ross and Jack Flor are back, as is defensive end Santo Coppola. And so is Russ’ daring, blitz-happy scheme. If the run can be contained, the pressure will then fall on the secondary to win enough one-on-one battles in coverage to prevent Michigan from running away with this on the heels of big pass plays. Cornerbacks Marquis Griffin, a senior and the group’s lone veteran, and Robert Bullard, a junior, as well as junior safeties Kyle Floyd and Garrett Kauppila appear to be as physically gifted as the starters they replaced from last year, but an opening slaughter of VMI didn’t provide enough of a test to see how that translates onto the field. They’ll get that test Saturday. But even if they fail a few times, Air Force doesn’t figure to panic thanks to its … (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)The US Air Force Academy football took on Virginia Military Institute at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)The US Air Force Academy football took on Virginia Military Institute at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)The US Air Force Academy football took on Virginia Military Institute at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)The US Air Force Academy football took on Virginia Military Institute at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)Virginia Military Institute defensive back Isaiah Parker (19), makes a dive for the ball against US Air Force’s linebacker Kyle Johnson at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Falcons won the game 62-0. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)Virginia Military Institute defensive back Isaiah Parker, left, makes a dive for the ball against US Air Force’s linebacker Kyle Johnson at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Falcons won the game 62-0. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)Virginia Military Institute defensive back Isaiah Parker (19), makes a dive for the ball against US Air Force’s linebacker Kyle Johnson at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Falcons won the game 62-0. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)US Air Force Academy wide receiver Jake Matkovich makes a dive for the end zone and coming up short as the team took on Virginia Military Institute at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)The US Air Force Academy football took on Virginia Military Institute at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)The US Air Force Academy football took on Virginia Military Institute at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)US Air Force Academy quarterback Arion Worthman readies himself for the next play against the Virginia Military Institute Keydets at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)US Air Force Academy running back Malik Miller makes a break past the Virginia Military Institute defense at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)Virginia Military Institute quarterback Duncan Hodges looks for an open player at Falcon Stadium as the team faced off against the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Falcons won the game 62-0. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)US Air Force Academy wide receiver Roland Cleveland, right, runs the ball down the field and tries to pass Virginia Military Institute’s linebacker Kuony Deng at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Falcons won the game 62-0. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)US Air Force Academy quarterback Nate Romine prepares for the next play as the team took on Virginia Military Institute Keydets at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Falcons won the game 62-0. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)US Air Force Academy running back Nolan Eriksen is brought down by Virginia Military Institute’s defensive back Greg Sanders at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Falcons won the game 62-0. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)The US Air Force Academy football took on Virginia Military Institute at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)Virginia Military Institute Keydets ready themselves for the next play against the US Air Force Academy on at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Falcons won the game 62-0. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)The US Air Force Academy football took on Virginia Military Institute at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)The US Air Force Academy football took on Virginia Military Institute at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)Members of the the US Air Force Academy Falcons dance team perform during a commercial break as the team took on the Virginia Military Institute Keydets at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Falcons won the game 62-0. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)The US Air Force Academy football took on Virginia Military Institute at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)US Air Force Academy running back Nolan Eriksen dives of the end zone as he scored a touchdown in the third quarter over the Virginia Military Institute Keydets at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Falcons won the game 62-0. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)US Air Force Academy quarterback Nate Romine prepares for the next play as the team took on Virginia Military Institute Keydets at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Falcons won the game 62-0. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)The US Air Force Academy football took on Virginia Military Institute at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)The US Air Force Academy Falcons took on Virginia Military Institute Keydets at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Falcons won the game 62-0. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)US Air Force Academy quarterback Arion Worthman runs the ball past the Virginia Military Institute Keydets at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)US Air Force Academy offensive lineman Neal Bess holds up teammate running back Nolan Eriksen after he scored a touchdown in the third quarter over the Virginia Military Institute Keydets at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Falcons won the game 62-0. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)The US Air Force Academy football took on Virginia Military Institute at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)The US Air Force Academy football took on Virginia Military Institute at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)The US Air Force Academy cadets perform 56 pushups for the number of points that the team had to that point as the Falcons faced off against the Virginia Military Institute Keydets at Falcon Stadium at the US Air Force Academy on Saturday September 2, 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Falcons won the game 62-0. (Photo by Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette). (DOUGAL BROWNLIE)
