Losing seasons are rare for Troy Calhouns’ Air Force Football program. More unusual is losing to Army and Navy in the same year. But that’s the backdrop for the Falcons as they open the season at home Saturday September 1st vs Stony Brook. There are plenty of questions for this 2018 version of Air Force Football.
- Will the defense be better? They have to be. The Falcons gave up 5.9 yards a rush last year, last in division 1. Coaches always say, “gotta stop the run first.” Air Force will try with a more experienced secondary and front 3, but inexperienced inside linebackers, and a new defensive coordinator. John Rudzinski replaces Steve Russ, now in the NFL.
- Who is the Falcons #1 running back? Last year it was Tim McVey, but many people felt he was underutilized. Air Force has a lot of potential, but nobody has really jumped out of the pack so far in pre-season.
- What will Arion Worthman do? To me, this may be the biggest question. He only averaged 3.8 yards a carry last year, and he carried the ball way, way too much. He has to pitch more. Worthman admitted as much during the off season. If the Falcons don’t get going early on offense, you may see Isaiah Sanders pretty quickly. He showed a hint of his talent with his huge game against Utah State last year.
- The Offensive Line. They were average last year, and they are younger this year. If an option team can’t block up from, it’s going to be another long year.
The Schedule: Not easy, and that includes Stony Brook. They went to the FCS playoffs a year ago, and have most of their team back. This is a scary first game for me. Then it’s Florida Atlantic, with an underdog Heisman Trophy candidate in running back Devin Singletary. The Owls are picked to win the Eastern division of Conference USA. And things just get tougher from there. Only New Mexico was picked to finish lower than the Falcons in the Mountain Division. Air Force may have to play older than their years to get back to a bowl. And the Commander In Chiefs Trophy. Navy is always Navy. Solid. Army has a ton of momentum after last years breakthrough season, which included shutting out Air Force in Colorado Springs. Lots of questions. The answers begin to come Saturday September 1st.
