Air Force

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Aug 27, 2000

Question: Which team will upset the Falcons?

Answer: Nevada-Las Vegas.

Gameplan

Air Force's game plan for the 2000 season looks a lot like the game plan for 1999. And 1998. And 1997. In fact, you need to go back more than 20 years - before Fisher DeBerry became head coach - to find a different one.

Still, opponents hate preparing for the DeBerry-installed triple- option for two reasons: it differs dramatically from any other offense they face, and it's mostly successful. They know what's coming - heck, pages from the Falcons' playbook ran on the Internet - but it's still hard to stop.

But the Falcons need to address significant flaws that sabotaged a promising 1999 season and resulted in a disappointing 6-5 mark. Air Force won only two of seven conference games.

1. Show it - score when they get near the end zone.

2. Throw it - complete more passes.

3. Don't blow it - prevent penalties at crucial times.

Air Force's scoring percentage inside the red zone (20 yard line) was a weak 79 percent, compared to 89 percent by opponents.

That just won't do. So DeBerry has put a new emphasis on red zone offense and defense in preseason practices.

"When you get in the red zone, by gosh, you're supposed to get points," DeBerry said. "We put in some things that will help us down in the red zone."

Mike Thiessen, returning starter at quarterback, completed only 46 percent of his passes (38 of 83 for 599 yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs).

"He's a lot more sound mechanically than at this point last year," said offensive coordinator Chuck Petersen.

The Falcons were again the least-penalized team in the Mountain West last year.

But on the rare occasions they were flagged, it hurt. The two touchdowns called back in a 27-20 loss to Brigham Young come to mind.

"The only team that is going to beat us this year is going to be ourselves," DeBerry said.

Upset city

Brigham Young has to recover from a brutal 1-2 punch in Florida State and Virginia to start its season. Then BYU comes to Colorado Springs to face Air Force's wacky option.

The Cougars could be reeling. They lost the final three games of last season, for the first time in LaVell Edwards' 28 seasons, and could be facing an 0-2 start after those first two games.

Make it 0-3.

The last time the Cougars played at Air Force this early in the season? Sept. 2, 1995 -when they lost 38-12.

The forecast

Cal State Northridge - A season-opening rout against a Division I- AA school.

Brigham Young - You call this a going-away present? LaVell Edwards won't be happy with his final visit to Falcon Stadium.

Utah - Falcons find out why Utes have been picked to win the Mountain West with this loss at Salt Lake City.

UNLV - Oops. Falcons fall on the road and drop out of the conference race with a loss to the transfer-laden Rebels.

Navy - Falcons haven't lost at home to a service academy since 1996 and won't this time.

Wyoming - Back on track with another win in Laramie, where the Falcons are 3-2 the past five games.

New Mexico - No troubles against the Lobos this time.

Notre Dame - Bob Davie's trying to save his job and the Irish are ready to prevent an Air Force upset.

Army - Another Commander-in-Chief's trophy.

Colorado State - Matt Newton puts the "Air," in Falcon Stadium in this CSU victory.

San Diego State - Aztecs whipped in this season finale.

Prediction - 7-4.

Difference makers

OLB Corey Nelson - If he blocks 4.5 kicks like he did last year, he'll break the school career record.

DT Justin Pendry - Fisher DeBerry said he reminds him of Chad Hennings, academy star and Dallas Cowboy.

LG David Hildebrand - Team's lone preseason all-conference pick has preference for pancakes.

QB Mike Thiessen - Teams now know he can take off. How will he adjust?

HB Scotty McKay - Electric all-purpose back. But will his number be called more than last year?

P Dallas Thompson - Barefooter kicked winning field goal in OT to beat Notre Dame in 1996, then lost his starting job while serving two- year Mormon mission. Looks like he's back as a punter.

Three deal breakers

THE SECONDARY

Richard Bell, AFA defensive coordinator, has admitted it makes him nervous. For good reason. All four starters are gone. Injuries forced backups into duty last season with mixed results. Literally.

The Falcons play pass-intensive teams Cal State Northridge, BYU, Utah, UNLV and Wyoming. Last year's pass defense ranked fourth in the Mountain West (allowing 203.5 yards per game), but it allowed 17 touchdowns, second-worst in the conference behind 20 by New Mexico and Wyoming.

RECEIVING CORPS

What made 1998's 12-1 team so successful was that it could surprise with the occasional deep ball. Last year's team didn't, even with matt Farmer, one of the academy's all-time best receivers.

Farmer's gone, and the Falcons feature a cadre of scrappy and inexperienced receivers.

DeBerry tinkered with the offense this spring and summer, with the most surpising addition the shotgun. Sophomore Ricky Amezaga (5- 11, 180) has a knack for getting open, and classmate Brian LaBasco (5- 9, 175) who has impressed coaches.