DURABLE QB ENDS CAREER ON THE SIDELINE

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jan 1, 2008 | by JAKE SCHALLER

FORT WORTH, Texas - When Air Force senior Shaun Carney injured his right knee late in the third quarter of Monday's

42-36 loss to California in the Armed Forces Bowl, it prematurely ended his record-breaking four-year stint as the Falcons starting quarterback.

But it also brought attention to an attribute that was overlooked when considering his passing records, running ability and calm demeanor.

Durability.

Carney, who played in 46 games at Air Force, ran the ball 651 times and took countless big hits before his last run that led to what looks like a serious injury.

"I got a helmet to the front and a guy hit me from behind," he said. "It was a clean football play -- it was just unfortunate the way it happened."

X-rays showed no fractures, but trainer Tony Peck and coach Troy Calhoun said Carney likely tore his MCL and ACL.

"It's frustrating, it's disheartening, especially since I left my teammates out there on the field and we didn't get a victory," Carney said. "If they'd have been able to pull it off, it would have made it a little more bearable. But the fact that I couldn't be out there to help them really hurt."

Carney was on crutches after the game and said he was in significant pain.

DeBerry on sideline

Former coach Fisher DeBerry served as the Falcons' honorary captain, returning to the stadium where -- last December -- he coached his final game for the academy. DeBerry said he was honored that Calhoun asked him to be a captain and that he was proud of his former players.

"They played their butts off," he said. "And I'm so disappointed they didn't win because they deserved it."

Record day for Harrison

Junior kicker Ryan Harrison kicked three field goals, giving him 19 for the season -- tying the academy record also held by David Adams (2000) and Dave Lawson (1974). Harrison's 47-yarder was an Armed Forces Bowl record. Harrison also had three extra points, giving him 12 points in the game and 101 on the season -- the most for a kicker in one season at the academy.

Etc.

A pair of F-22 Raptors led the flyover at Monday's game. Former Air Force football players Tom Kafka (Class of 1990) and Tod Wolters (1982) flew the planes.... The crowd of 40,905 was an Armed Forces Bowl record.... Cal junior linebacker Worrell Williams, who made seven tackles, is the brother of Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams.