Air Force has an opening on its 2025 football schedule.

The spot was initially pegged for a game against Sam Houston at Falcon Stadium, part of a home-and-home series that began with a matchup in Houston in 2023. But the return trip is no longer happening and the Falcons are seeking to fill that slot.

The 2025 schedule currently includes Bucknell as the FCS opponent in the opener on Aug. 30, Navy (on the road Oct. 4) and Army (at home Nov. 1). The Mountain West opponents, announced Tuesday, are Boise State, Hawaii, New Mexico and Wyoming at home and Colorado State, San Jose State, UNLV and Utah State on the road.

Dates and times for the Mountain West games will come in the spring.

Bucknell, the FCS opponent, went 6-6 in 2024 and hasn’t finished above .500 in a season since 2014.

Linebackers coach honored

Air Force inside linebackers coach Ken Lamendola was selected by the American Football Coaches Association for its 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute, selected from a field of over 200 coaches born after Jan. 1, 1989.

The coaches are invited to a one-day institute that features a curriculum of interactive lectures focused on various coaching-related topics tailored to emphasize leadership in the profession.

Lamendola is a 2011 Air Force graduate who has spent the past three years on coach Troy Calhoun’s staff.

Colorado State defensive assistant Adam Pilapil and CSU-Pueblo offensive coordinator Brayle Brown was also selected.

Another starter in portal

Offensive lineman Tyler Lawrence entered the transfer portal this week, marking a third Air Force sophomore with starting experience to do so.

Lawrence, a former three-star recruit, started the first three games in 2024, appeared in Games 4-6 and then missed the final six games with an injury.

He joins defensive back Lincoln Tuioti-Mariner and defensive end David Santiago among others from the program in the portal. The three stand out because it is rare for Air Force to lose transfers who have earned significant playing time.