LAST SEASON'S LOSS TO AZTECS EXTRA MOTIVATION FOR FALCONS

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Nov 14, 2007 | by JAKE SCHALLER

Air Force's Class of 2008 will play at Falcon Stadium for the final time Saturday.

That alone should fire up players and coaches for their noon kickoff against San Diego State. But if they need any extra inspiration, there is more than enough to be found.

With a victory, the Falcons would:

Post the most wins (nine) in a season by an Air Force team since 2000.

Finish their Mountain West Conference slate 6-2 and guaran- tee no worse than a tie for second in the league.

- Go unbeaten at home for the first time since 1998.

Air Force, which already has beaten four teams it lost to in 2006, also would be able to avenge a bitter loss to San Diego State.

"We've lost four of the last five to San Diego State," coach Troy Calhoun said. "These are guys that have kind of had our number here recently."

The most disappointing of the recent losses probably was last year's. The Falcons traveled to San Diego on the heels of a come- from-behind victory over Colorado State that made them 3-2 and 3-0 in Mountain West play. But against a winless Aztecs team, the Falcons committed six penalties for 55 yards, threw an interception deep in San Diego State territory and missed a field goal attempt and an extra point try.

San Diego State won 19-12. Air Force collapsed and lost five of its next six games to finish 4-8.

"It pretty much spiraled downhill for us after that," senior outside linebacker John Rabold said. "Our season just went down the drain pretty much."

For the Aztecs, it was their first victory under Chuck Long. And they have improved since.

San Diego State, at 4-5 and 3-2 in league play, already has surpassed last season's victory total. Since losing in the final moments to New Mexico on Oct. 20, it has won two games in a row -- including overcoming a 21-0 deficit to defeat Wyoming 27-24 on Nov. 3.

Long has called his team "special" and praised the strides it has made since last year and since the preseason.

"We feel good about our program now and where it's going," he said.

Aztecs quarterback Kevin O'Connell ranks second in the conference with 225 passing yards per game, and the Aztecs rank second in the conference in turnover ratio at plus-0.56 per game.

"Ability-wise, they're loaded up pretty good," Calhoun said. "I'm impressed with their quarterback. They're outstanding at taking care of the ball.... They are a muchimproved football team over last year, and last year they beat us."

Support for Hall

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said Tuesday that Air Force senior Chad Hall should be considered for the Heisman Trophy.

"For what he's done, he has to be at least in the conversation," Whittingham said.

Air Force's sports information department began a Hall for the Heisman campaign Monday. Hall has led the nation in all-purpose yards per game since Oct. 6.

Asked about having his name linked with the coveted trophy, Hall said "It's real cool, but it's not for me to judge or anything. But it's fun."

Etc.

Senior guard Caleb Morris (knee) and senior fullback Ryan Williams (ankle) did not practice. Calhoun said both are doubtful for Saturday. Tight end Keith Madsen (flu) also did not practice.

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