Navy will bring its unbeaten football team to Falcon Stadium on Saturday. But the quality of the Midshipmen is likely the least of Air Force’s concerns.
Throughout this season of mass roster turnover, the Falcons’ focus has been on themselves as this new-look team has struggled to find footing. And now, though their losing streak hit three games in a 31-19 loss at Wyoming, they have legitimate positives from which to build.
For the final 22:29 of the first half at Wyoming the Falcons outscored their hosts 17-0 and outgained them 207 yards to 42.
At halftime quarterback John Busha was 5-of-6 for 94 yards, the team had rushed for 123 yards and controlled time of possession 20:11 to 9:49. Air Force (1-3) had three consecutive possessions that averaged 10 plays and ended in points.
For many on this offense that is breaking in new starters at all five positions on the offensive line, quarterback, fullback, tailback and tight end, it was the first extended sample of what has, in recent years, been Air Force’s style when it’s playing well.
“It was definitely good to see the ball rolling a little bit and getting some confidence,” said tailback Kade Frew, who scored his first touchdown during that stretch and finished with 52 yards on seven carries.
The good play did not carry into the second half, however. Air Force picked up just one first down on its first two possessions, while Wyoming scored on all four second-half drives, save for a pair of kneel downs to ice the victory.
“The first half, obviously, did some good things,” coach Troy Calhoun said. “You look at it, we have to make first downs in the second half, which we have not done very well at all. And we have to come up with stops in the second half. Just play better football.
“We’ve just got to realize it’s big fella football. It’s college football.”
Even in the second half, as bad as it was, Air Force battled back and nearly took possession late in the fourth quarter while trailing by five points before a penalty on a Cowboys punt extended a drive and the game was sealed.
It also helped Air Force that opening day starters Dylan Carson (fullback) and Frew (tailback) returned after missing time with injuries. It hasn’t been only the inexperience hurting the Falcons, but multiple players being out. The team has already seen 24 players make their first collegiate starts this season.
Prior to Saturday, Air Force had scored just 10 points and had 415 yards of offense in two games vs. FBS competition – losses to San Jose State and Baylor.
Wyoming (1-4) had entered the game winless, so perhaps that’s not the best barometer to use. But that’s beyond the point. Right now Air Force isn’t in position to worry about who they are playing so much as how they are playing. And now, at a critical time with an archrival set to visit, there’s something positive sitting in the memory bank.
“I think we took a step forward in some aspects,” said slot receiver Cade Harris, who had 121 yards of total offense – 106 receiving, 15 rushing. “Still a lot that we’ve got to work on, obviously. So we’ll hit the ground running Monday and just get going.”
