Air Force’s timeline for a defensive breakthrough varies depending on who is asked.

Coach Troy Calhoun foresees a prolonged adjustment period for a defense that has already started six underclassmen through three games and has given up 98 points in two Mountain West games.

“It just takes time,” Calhoun said. “There’s not an explanation that goes beyond we need as many game snaps as we can possibly get.”

For seniors on the team, there’s an understandable wish to expedite that process.

“The biggest issue is just our communication,” said nose guard Payton Zdroik, a fifth-year senior. “Make sure we scream at each other, almost to an annoying amount. That’s our biggest thing we need to hone in on.”

Zdroik sees talent and a work ethic on the defense, but he believes what has been lacking thus far is the on-field talking to identify formations, tendencies and any other information that could help prevent the defensive busts that have bitten the team hard as it has given up 443.7 yards per game – 123^rd in the nation.

He also knows as one of the most veteran players Air Force (1-2, 0-2 Mountain West) has ever had on its defensive line – this is a player who had 10 tackles for loss as a sophomore four seasons ago in 2022 – it partially falls on him to set a culture that holds teammates to a standard, gives room for growth and encourages that communication.

It’s a lot to ask from a leadership standpoint, but also part of why athletics are a pillar of service academies.

“That’s something I think I didn’t do great probably the last two years,” Zdroik said. “I was more of a mean guy, and I’m definitely working on trying to be more uplifting. It’s definitely a balance of keeping the culture on the field, but when you’re one-on-one reassuring that guy and making sure he’s feeling good about his position and just talking to him about what’s his biggest issue and trying to work that out.”

Some of these same issues popped up last year as the offense sorted through growing pains during a 1-7 start. Everything eventually came together during a season-ending four-game winning streak. But nobody in the program wants to wait that long this time around, though Calhoun reiterated that growth, at least on an individual basis, does not generally happen suddenly.

“No leaps,” Calhoun said. “It’s the tiniest of centimeters and inch-by-inch as you do it.”

With Hawaii (3-2, 0-1) bringing a pass-heavy offense to face this Falcons’ defense that ranks 106^th nationally in defending the pass, Zdroik hopes communication can clean up some issues and accelerate the growth.

“We’re getting better week by week,” Zdroik said. “Those are talented guys who are going to get it right.”