The Air Force Falcons are a college football team from the United States Air Force Academy, located just outside of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the NCAA Division I and the Mountain West Conference.
Given the physical restrictions that military service puts on cadets, Air Force football has traditionally been based more on speed, willpower and technical execution than on pure size and strength. The Falcons have traditionally run a triple option offense, and have routinely competed favorably against bigger and stronger national opponents. While the wishbone is almost always assumed synonymous with the triple option, Air Force only deployed the formation occasionally under Coaches Fisher DeBerry and Ken Hatfield. One mainstay from both of these coaches is the option, and the consistent repetition to near perfection, as witnessed by the wins and the rushing statistics in the past 25 years, regularly placing Air Force in the top ten rushing teams in the nation.[citation needed]
Falcon Stadium [edit]
Falcon home games are played in Falcon Stadium, which sits below the main campus at an elevation of 6621 feet (2018 m) above sea level. Pre-game activities include flyovers by USAF aircraft, including the F-15 and B-2. The highest attendance at a home game was 56,409 spectators in 2002, when the Falcons battled the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.[1]
History [edit]
Running back Asher Clark and the Falcons take on the Houston Cougars during the 2009 Armed Forces Bowl
The Falcons are not only recognized by the lightning bolt on the side of their helmets, but their traditional option attack. Air Force is one of the premier rushing teams in the nation. Since Fisher DeBerry took over as Falcons head coach in 1984, they have ranked among the nation’s top 10 in rushing 19 times in 21 years. The Air Force football team has enjoyed success not only on the field but also in the classroom. In 49 years of Air Force football, there have been 39 Academic All-Americans.[2]
The 1985 Season [edit]
1985 was the most successful season in Air Force football history. Under 2nd year coach Fisher DeBerry, the Fightin’ Falcons came within one win of playing for the national championship. They recorded 10 straight wins, climbed the polls to #2 in the nation, but lost to BYU by 7 points in the penultimate game of the season. Air Force rebounded with a bowl game win over Texas in the Bluebonnet Bowl and finished with a 12-1 record as the #5 ranked team in the nation.
Past results [edit]
| Year |
Overall Record |
Conference Record |
Bowl Game |
| 1955* |
4–4 |
|
|
| 1956 |
6–2–1 |
|
|
| 1957 |
3–6–1 |
|
|
| 1958 |
9–0–2 |
|
Cotton Bowl Classic vs. TCU, T, 0–0 |
| 1959 |
5–4–1 |
|
|
| 1960 |
4–6 |
|
|
| 1961 |
3–7 |
|
|
| 1962 |
5–5 |
|
|
| 1963 |
7–4 |
|
Gator Bowl vs. North Carolina, L, 0–35 |
| 1964 |
4–5–1 |
|
|
| 1965 |
3–6–1 |
|
|
| 1966 |
4–6 |
|
|
| 1967 |
2–6–2 |
|
|
| 1968 |
7–3 |
|
|
| 1969 |
6–4 |
|
|
| 1970 |
9–3 |
|
Sugar Bowl vs. Tennessee, L, 13–34 |
| 1971 |
6–4 |
|
|
| 1972 |
6–4 |
|
|
| 1973 |
6–4 |
|
|
| 1974 |
2–9 |
|
|
| 1975 |
2–8–1 |
|
|
| 1976 |
4–7–1 |
|
|
| 1977 |
2–8–1 |
|
|
| 1978 |
3–8 |
|
|
| 1979 |
2–9 |
|
|
| 1980 |
2–9–1 |
1–3 (WAC) |
|
| 1981 |
4–7 |
2–3 (WAC) |
|
| 1982 |
8–5 |
4–3 (WAC) |
Hall of Fame vs. Vanderbilt, W, 36–28 |
| 1983 |
10–2 |
5–2 (WAC) |
Independence vs. Mississippi, W, 9–3 |
| 1984 |
8–4 |
4–3 (WAC) |
Independence vs. Virginia Tech, W, 23–7 |
| 1985 |
12–1 |
7–1 (WAC) |
Bluebonnet vs. Texas, W. 24–16 |
| 1986 |
6–5 |
5–2 (WAC) |
|
| 1987 |
9–4 |
6–2 (WAC) |
Freedom vs. Arizona State, L, 28–33 |
| 1988 |
5–7 |
3–5 (WAC) |
|
| 1989 |
8–4–1 |
5–1–1 (WAC) |
Liberty vs. Mississippi, L, 29–42 |
| 1990 |
7–5 |
3–4 (WAC) |
Liberty vs. Ohio State, W, 23–11 |
| 1991 |
10–3 |
6–2 (WAC) |
Liberty vs. Mississippi State, W, 38–15 |
| 1992 |
7–5 |
4–4 (WAC) |
Liberty vs. Mississippi, L, 0–13 |
| 1993 |
4–8 |
1–7 (WAC) |
|
| 1994 |
8–4 |
6–2 (WAC) |
|
| 1995 |
8–5 |
6–2 (WAC) |
Copper vs. Texas Tech, L, 41–55 |
| 1996 |
6–5 |
5–3 (WAC) |
|
| 1997 |
10–3 |
6–2 (WAC) |
Las Vegas vs. Oregon, L, 13–41 |
| 1998 |
12–1 |
7–1 (WAC) |
O’ahu vs. Washington, W, 45–25 |
| 1999 |
6–5 |
2–5 (MWC) |
|
| 2000 |
9–3 |
5–2 (MWC) |
Silicon Valley vs. Fresno State, W, 37–34 |
| 2001 |
6–6 |
3–4 (MWC) |
|
| 2002 |
8–5 |
4–3 (MWC) |
San Francisco vs. Virginia Tech, L, 13–20 |
| 2003 |
7–5 |
3–4 (MWC) |
|
| 2004 |
5–6 |
3–4 (MWC) |
|
| 2005 |
4–7 |
3–5 (MWC) |
|
| 2006 |
4–8 |
3–4 (MWC) |
|
| 2007 |
9–4 |
6–2 (MWC) |
Armed Forces vs. California, L, 36–42 |
| 2008 |
8–5 |
5–3 (MWC) |
Armed Forces vs. Houston, L, 28–34 |
| 2009 |
8–5 |
5–3 (MWC) |
Armed Forces vs. Houston, W, 47–20 |
| 2010 |
9–4 |
5–3 (MWC) |
Independence Bowl vs. Georgia Tech, W, 14–7 |
| 2011 |
7–6 |
3–4 (MWC) |
Military Bowl vs. Toledo, L, 41-42 |
| 2012 Armed Forces Bowl |
Total |
341–284–13 |
128–94–1 |
Bowls: 10–11–1 |
| * Air Force did not play varsity football in 1955 and the games are not included in overall record[2] |
[3]
Championships [edit]
- WAC Champions: 1985 (tie), 1995 (tie), 1998
- WAC Mountain Division Champions: 1998
- Commander in Chief's Trophy Winners (AF-Army-Navy): 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989-1992, 1994, 1995, 1997-2002, 2010, 2011.
Since 1980, the Falcons and the Colorado State Rams have competed for the Ram-Falcon Trophy. Air Force currently holds a 16-13 advantage over Colorado State in games that the trophy has been contested in.
Head coaches [edit]
Players [edit]
Individual accomplishments [edit]
Notable individual records [edit]
- Chance Harridge: In 2002, Harridge set the NCAA Division I record for most single-season rushing touchdowns by a quarterback, with 23. Tied by the University of Florida's Tim Tebow in 2007. Broken by Navy's Ricky Dobbs in 2009 with 27.
- Beau Morgan: He became the first player in NCAA history to rush and pass for over 1,000 yards in a season twice. He broke the NCAA single season rushing record for a quarterback, along with being only the second player in NCAA history to run and pass for 3,000 yards in a career.
Falcons in the NFL [edit]
The Bullard Award is voted on by the team based on the criteria that typifies Brian Bullard – unselfishness, 110 percent effort, total team commitment and pride in his role on the team whether he’s a starter or not.[5]
Winners:
- 1984 – Steve Kelly
- 1985 – Pat Malackowski
- 1986 – Pat Evans & Jason Webster
- 1987 – Rip Burgwald
- 1988 – Anthony Roberson
- 1989 – Lance McDowell
- 1990 – Bill Price
- 1991 – Kette Dornbush
- 1992 – Grant Johnson
- 1993 – Will McCombs
- 1994 – Steve Russ
- 1995 – Brandon Wilkerson
- 1996 – Lee Guthrie
- 1997 – Chris Gizzi
- 1998 – Mike Tyler
- 1999 – Charlie Jackson
|
- 2000 – Mike Gallagher, Matt Dayoc, Nate Beard
- 2001 – Zach Johnson
- 2002 – Tom Heir
- 2003 – Joe Schieffer, Monty Coleman
- 2004 – John Rudzinski
- 2005 – Denny Poland
- 2006 - Gilberto Perez
- 2007 - Drew Fowler, Garrett Rybak
- 2008 - Shea Smith
- 2009 - Ben Garland
- 2010 - Nate Walker
|
All-Americans [edit]
| Year |
Player |
Position |
Award(s) |
| 1956 |
Larry Thomson |
FB |
Little America (3rd) |
| 1958 |
Brock Strom |
OL |
Consensus |
| Robert Brickey |
HB |
Helms |
| 1963 |
Terry Isaacson |
QB |
Helms |
| Joe Rodwell |
C |
Helms |
| 1966 |
Neal Starkey |
DB |
Playboy Magazine All-American |
| 1967 |
Neal Starkey |
DB |
Associated Press (3rd) |
| 1969 |
Ernie Jennings |
WR |
Central Press (2nd) |
| 1970 |
Ernie Jennings |
WR |
Consensus |
| 1971 |
Orderia Mitchell |
C |
Black Sports |
| Gene Ogilvie |
DE |
UPI (3rd) |
| 1972 |
Orderia Mitchell |
C |
Associated Press (2nd), Gridiron (2nd) |
| Gene Ogilvie |
DE |
UPI (2nd) |
| 1973 |
Steve Heil |
ROV |
Associated Press (3rd) |
| 1974 |
Dave Lawson |
LB/K |
Football Writers |
| 1975 |
Dave Lawson |
LB/K |
UPI (2nd), Football News (2nd) |
| 1981 |
Johnny Jackson |
DB |
Associated Press (2nd) |
| 1982 |
Dave Schreck |
OG |
Associated Press (2nd) |
| 1983 |
John Kershner |
FB |
Football News (2nd) |
| Mike Kirby |
WR |
Sporting News (2nd) |
| 1985 |
Mark Simon |
P |
Scripps Howard, Associated Press (2nd) |
| Scott Thomas |
DB |
Walter Camp, Kodak, Football Writes, Associated Press (2nd) |
| 1986 |
Terry Maki |
LB |
Kodak, Football News (2nd), Associated Press (3rd) |
| Tom Rotello |
DB |
Football News (2nd) |
| 1987 |
Chad Hennings |
DT |
Consensus, Walter Camp, Kodak, Football Writers, Associated Press, UPI, Scripps Howard, Sporting News, Football News, Outland Trophy winner |
| 1989 |
Dee Dowis |
QB |
Heisman Trophy finalist |
| Ron Gray |
KR |
Associated Press (3rd) |
| 1991 |
Jason Christ |
P |
Associated Press (2nd), Football News (3rd) |
| 1992 |
Carlton McDonald |
DB |
Consensus, Walter Camp, Kodak, Football Writers, Associated Press, UPI, Scripps Howard, Sporting News |
| 1993 |
Chris MacInnis |
P/K |
UPI, Associated Press (2nd) |
| 1996 |
Beau Morgan |
QB |
Associated Press (3rd) |
| 1997 |
Chris Gizzi |
LB |
Associated Press (3rd), Football Writers (2nd) |
| 1998 |
Tim Curry |
DB |
Sporting News (3rd) |
| Frank Mindrup |
OL |
American Football Foundation (3rd) |
| 2001 |
Anthony Schlegel |
ILB |
Sporting News (Freshmen 3rd team) |
| 2002 |
Brett Huyser |
OL |
Sporting News (4th) |
| 2007 |
Chad Hall |
WR |
Rivals (3rd), Sports Illustrated |
| Carson Bird |
CB |
Sports Illustrated |
| 2008 |
Ryan Harrison |
K |
College Football News |
| 2010 |
Reggie Rembert |
DB |
AFCA (1st),[3] Associated Press (3rd) |
Academic All-Americans [edit]
| Year |
Player |
Position |
| 1958 |
Brock Strom |
OT |
| 1959 |
Rich Mayo |
QB |
| 1960 |
Rich Mayo |
QB |
| Don Baucom |
HB |
| 1967 |
Ken Zagzebski |
MG |
| Carl Janssen |
OE |
| 1969 |
Ernie Jennings |
WR |
| 1970 |
Ernie Jennings |
WR |
| Bob Parker |
QB |
| Phil Bauman |
LB |
| 1971 |
Darryl Haas |
LB/P |
| Bob Homburg |
DE |
| John Griffith |
DT |
| 1972 |
Gene Ogilvie |
DE |
| Bob Homburg |
DE |
| Mark Prill |
MG |
| 1973 |
Joe Debes |
OT |
| 1976 |
Steve Hoog |
WR |
| 1977 |
Mack McCollum |
ROV |
| 1978 |
Steve Hoog |
WR |
| Tom Foertsch |
LB |
| Tim Fyda |
DE |
| 1981 |
Mike France |
LB |
| Kevin Ewing |
ROV |
| 1982 |
Jeff Kubiak |
P |
| 1983 |
Jeff Kubiak |
P |
| 1987 |
Chad Hennings |
DT |
| Scott Salmon |
DB |
| James Hecker |
DB |
| 1988 |
Scott Salmon |
DB |
| David Hlatky |
OL |
| James Hecker |
DB |
| 1989 |
Chris Howard |
HB |
| 1990 |
Chris Howard |
HB |
| J.T. Tokish |
LB |
| 1992 |
Grant Johnson |
LB |
| 1996 |
Dustin Tyner |
WR |
| 2003 |
Ryan Carter |
DE |
| 2004 |
Ryan Carter |
DE |
[6]
Air Force Academy Falcons free safety Bobby Giannini (#11) prepares to finish off Tennessee tailback Montario Hardesty, while Falcons defensive end Josh Clayton (#97) loosens Hardesty's grip on the football. The Falcons lost 31-30 in 2006.
Current coaching staff [edit]
- Troy Calhoun - Head Coach
- Charlton Warren - Assoc. Head Coach/Def. Coordinator/Def. Backs
- Ron Burton - NFL Liaison/Defensive Line
- Clay Hendrix - Assoc. Head Coach/Off. Coordinator/Off. Line
- Matt McGettigan - Strength/Conditioning
- Blane Morgan - Offensive Coordinator/QBs
- Steve Russ - Assist. Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coord./Secondary
- Mike Thiessen - Asst.Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers
- Matt Weikert - Inside Linebackers
- Jake Campbell - Offensive Assistant/JV Offensive Coordinator
- Ben Miller - Running Backs/Special Teams Coordinator
- Jake Moreland - Tight Ends
- Lt. Col. Bill Price - Varsity/JV Assistant
- Capt. John Rudzinski - Outside Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator
- Steve Senn - Executive Asst./Quality Control
- Lt. Col. Darryl Sumrall - JV Head Coach
[4]
Future non-conference opponents [edit]
[5]
References [edit]
External links [edit]
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