Not a single player from Air Force or Army was at either academy the last time the Black Knights visited Falcon Stadium.

Many weren’t even in high school.

Because the teams played their 2021-22 matchups in Arlington, Texas, and the 2023 game was played in Denver while Falcon Stadium was undergoing construction, Saturday will mark Army’s first visit to Colorado Springs since 2019.

“These are the kind of games you live for,” Air Force fullback Owen Allen said. “The big rivalry games, service academy games, almost always sold out. I think we’re going to have another sold-out crowd on Saturday.”

Air Force leads the all-time series against Army 22-4 when playing on its home field.

“We love playing at Falcon Stadium,” coach Troy Calhoun said, noting the proximity for the cadet wing. “The other thing is think it just brings you closer relationship-wise with the city of Colorado Springs, right here with the Pikes Peak region. How remarkable they are to support the Air Force Academy and us in turn, when we play here, it helps the local area in a lot of different ways.”

Army coach Jeff Monken led his team to a 21-0 shutout of Air Force at Falcon Stadium in 2017. In 2019 the Falcons won 17-13, sealing the game with a goal-line stand late in the fourth quarter.

“I don’t know that we’ve got to do anything different or anything particular to that stadium,” Monken said. “A lot of people make a lot of noise about the altitude. I’ve been out there several times to play, not just with the Army team but other teams, too. That, to me, is just a mind game that people try to play with you.

“We’ve never done anything or eaten certain foods or any of that stuff. I know all those teams out there in the West, they love to tell you how high their altitude is and all that stuff. Maybe it does make a difference, but we’re just going to go out there and try to play our best.”