Air Force junior cornerback Reggie Rembert began the season in the stands.

He finished it on the All-Mountain West Conference first team.

Rembert was put on suspension for an unspecified violation of academy standards in March. He was allowed to practice but not play in games, so he missed the Falcons’ first two contests. He took in Air Force’s opener from the cadet section at Falcon Stadium and watched the team’s game at Minnesota from Cadet Ice Arena.

But Rembert made the most of the 10 games in which he played and was the Falcons’ lone representative on the all-conference first team.

“It’s a nice story because a lot of guys might have gone in the tank, gotten down on themselves, but he didn’t,” Air Force defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter said. “He worked through his issue, was a leader on the team and came out and really had a nice year.”

“I know a lot of people look up to me, and that (suspension) was a negative thing,” Rembert said. “So I definitely felt I needed to bring myself back up because people look up to me and I need to give them a good role model, somebody to look at.”

During the season Rembert made 41 tackles, including 2.5 for losses, picked off three passes, forced two fumbles and recovered two others. He also was the Falcons’ leading kickoff returner, averaging 25.1 yards per return.

“He’s a guy that’s really matured as a player,” DeRuyter said. “He’s a guy we feel real good about as far as in the run game as well as coverage, and those are the kind of corners you like to have.”

Asked to describe a year in which he experienced disappointing lows and what he called a “surprising” high of being named first-team all-league, Rembert said: “Blessed.

“It was a blessing to be able to sit out, have people behind me supporting me throughout my time away. And then being able to come back and then getting the award I did, that’s just a blessing.”

The season’s not yet over for Rembert. He will play a big role in the Dec. 31 Armed Forces Bowl against Houston, which boasts the nation’s top-ranked passing offense.

NotesAir Force held its fourth practice Sunday in preparation for the Armed Forces Bowl. Junior slot receiver Kyle Halderman (knee) has “been able to run around a little bit,” coach Troy Calhoun said. “I think in order to play he’s got to practice.” The Falcons will practice Tuesday evening at 6 and then Wednesday morning before players go home on break.

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