Falcons act like kids in the Hall

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Oct 28, 2000 | by Ralph Routon

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Air Force's football players flocked inside the modern, glass-and-brick downtown structure Friday, looking for a little inspiration.

They found it, starting just inside the front door of the College Football Hall of Fame.

As the Falcons arrived for a prearranged tour of the shrine, they immediately saw a special exhibit set up for the occasion.

On each end of the display were two of Air Force's most famous jerseys, the still-stained No. 75 worn by all-America lineman Brock Strom in 1956-58 and the deep-blue No.87 of Outland Trophy-winning defensive tackle Chad Hennings from 1984-87.

Between those jerseys was a miniature version of the Commander- in-Chief's Trophy and an authentic Air Force helmet. But the main item was The Gazette's front sports page of Oct. 20, 1996, with a banner headline - "As good as it gets" - along with the game story and photos from Air Force's stunning 20-17 overtime upset over Notre Dame.

"Wow," said countless AFA players at different times as they crowded around, those in the back waiting their turn to see the artifacts. Many read the coverage, while others like halfback Leotis Palmer, offensive lineman Ryan van Maarth and backup quarterback Bryan Blew used camcorders and cameras to preserve the moment.

If the visit had ended there, it would have been good therapy for the Falcons. They needed something different, something as special and cleansing as this, to re-energize them after that paralyzing loss to New Mexico last week. They needed to discover that Air Force has its distinct place in the world of college football.

"This reminds you why you play the game," said AFA fullback Scott Becker, who grew up in nearby Granger, Ind., and was a Hall of Fame volunteer in high school.

Now he's with the Falcons, who became the 59th college team to visit the hall since it moved in the mid-1990s from Kings Island, Ohio. They learned their Air Force predecessors of 1996 also went to the museum - then knocked off the No. 8-ranked Fighting Irish the next day.

Like wide-eyed kids, these players crowded inside a circular theater and watched a video that filled the walls with views and sounds of college games, from Michigan to Southern Cal to Florida State and even Grambling. They saw clips of great stars from the past, and heard words of motivation from coaches who seemed to be talking directly to them.

"In football, you're not gonna win 'em all. You're gonna get whipped, beat, downtrodden," Florida State's Bobby Bowden said. "But you have to come back. You have to try again."

Most of the Falcons then had fun with the interactive areas. They did have trouble kicking a football through some narrow uprights - until quarterback Mike Thiessen stepped up and booted one through, left-footed. And in the agility drills, senior Qualario Brown edged Palmer in a duel of halfbacks.

You could see everyone being affected in the right way. Especially one group, including Thiessen, defensive tackle Justin Pendry and cornerback Kurt Duffy, who spent extra time at a video- highlights monitor.

Their first choice: Great Upsets.

Finally it was time to go, and the Falcons' next stop was Notre Dame for a day-before workout on the floor of the legendary House That Rockne Built. They were impressed. But they weren't intimidated, even under the shadow of Touchdown Jesus.

"Just like any other stadium," outside linebacker Corey Nelson said, looking around at the place that today will echo with 80,232 screaming voices. "It's got seats and grass, just like we do."

They laughed. They played around. They joked. They acted like a team that wants to create another big headline.

And after what Air Force experienced Friday, it seems a little more possible.