The 2019 Air Force Falcons football team represented the United States Air Force Academy in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Falcons were led by thirteenth-year head coach Troy Calhoun and played their home games at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They competed as members of the Mountain West Conference in the Mountain Division. They finished the season 11–2, 7–1 in Mountain West play to finish in second place in the Mountain Division. Following the season they were invited to the Cheez-It Bowl where they defeated Washington State by a score of 31–21. The 2019 Falcons' 11 wins were the most in a single season under head coach Troy Calhoun, their third 10+ win season during his tenure, their eighth in program history, and the most wins achieved in a single season since the 1998 team who finished ranked #13 in the AP Poll and #10 in the Coaches' Poll with a record of 12–1.
2019 Air Force Falcons football | |
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Cheez-It Bowl champion | |
Cheez-It Bowl, W 31–21 vs. Washington State | |
Conference | Mountain West Conference |
Mountain Division | |
Ranking | |
Coaches | No. 23 |
AP | No. 22 |
Record | 11–2 (7–1 MW) |
Head coach |
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Offensive coordinator | Mike Thiessen (9th season) |
Offensive scheme | Triple option |
Defensive coordinator | John Rudzinski (2nd season) |
Base defense | Multiple |
Captain | Jeremy Fejedelem Mosese Fifita Donald Hammond III Scott Hattok Jordan Jackson Kyle Johnson |
Home stadium | Falcon Stadium |
Uniform | |
Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mountain Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 23 Boise State xy$ | 8 | – | 0 | 12 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 22 Air Force | 7 | – | 1 | 11 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Utah State | 6 | – | 2 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wyoming | 4 | – | 4 | 8 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Colorado State | 3 | – | 5 | 4 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
New Mexico | 0 | – | 8 | 2 | – | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
West Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hawaii xy | 5 | – | 3 | 10 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
San Diego State x | 5 | – | 3 | 10 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nevada | 4 | – | 4 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
San Jose State | 2 | – | 6 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UNLV | 2 | – | 6 | 4 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fresno State | 2 | – | 6 | 4 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Championship: Boise State 31, Hawaii 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Preseason
Award watch lists
Listed in the order that they were released
Award | Player | Position | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Wuerffel Trophy[1] | Isaiah Sanders | QB | SR |
Polynesian College Football Player of the Year[2] | Mosese Fifita | DL | SR |
Mountain West media days
The Mountain West media days were held from July 23−24, 2019 at Green Valley Ranch in Henderson, NV.
Media poll
The preseason poll was released at the Mountain West media days on July 23, 2019. The Falcons were predicted to finish in third place in the MW Mountain Division.[3]
Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
---|---|---|
1 | Boise State | 120 (15) |
2 | Utah State | 108 (6) |
3 | Air Force | 73 |
4 | Wyoming | 66 |
5 | Colorado State | 52 |
6 | New Mexico | 22 |
Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
---|---|---|
1 | Fresno State | 122 (17) |
2 | San Diego State | 106 (3) |
3 | Nevada | 74 |
4 | Hawaii | 67 (1) |
5 | UNLV | 51 |
6 | San Jose State | 21 |
Preseason All−Mountain West Team
The Falcons had two players selected to the preseason All−Mountain West Team, both from the defensive side of the ball.[4]
Schedule
Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
August 31 | 1:30 p.m. | Colgate* | ESPN3 | W 48–7 | 33,101 | |
September 14 | 11:00 a.m. | at Colorado* | P12N | W 30–23 OT | 49,282 | |
September 20 | 7:00 p.m. | at No. 20 Boise State | ESPN2 | L 19–30 | 36,498 | |
September 27 | 6:00 p.m. | San Jose State |
| CBSSN | W 41–24 | 24,786 |
October 5 | 1:30 p.m. | at Navy* | CBSSN | L 25–34 | 37,957 | |
October 12 | 5:00 p.m. | Fresno State |
| CBSSN | W 43–24 | 22,544 |
October 19 | 9:00 p.m. | at Hawaii | CBSSN | W 56–26 | 23,757 | |
October 26 | 8:15 p.m. | Utah State |
| ESPN2 | W 31–7 | 19,248 |
November 2 | 1:30 p.m. | Army* |
| CBSSN | W 17–13 | 41,401 |
November 16 | 5:00 p.m. | at Colorado State | ESPN2 | W 38–21 | 24,914 | |
November 23[a] | 12:00 p.m. | at New Mexico | ESPN3 | W 44–22 | 13,844 | |
November 30 | 12:00 p.m. | Wyoming |
| Stadium on Facebook | W 20–6 | 21,425 |
December 27 | 8:15 p.m. | vs. Washington State* | ESPN | W 31–21 | 34,105 | |
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Personnel
Coaching staff
Name | Position | First year position | First year Air Force | Alma Mater |
---|---|---|---|---|
Troy Calhoun | Head coach | 2007 | 20071 | Air Force (1989) |
Offensive staff | ||||
Mike Thiessen | Offensive coordinator / quarterbacks | 2014 / 2015 | 2004 | Air Force (2001) |
Jake Campbell | Offensive backs | 2012 | 20122 | Air Force (1996) |
Ari Confesor | Wide weceivers | 2019 | 2019 | Holy Cross (2004) |
Jordan Eason | Asst. offensive line | 2018 | 2016 | Air Force (2013) |
Steed Lobotzke | Offensive line | 2016 | 20153 | Air Force (1992) |
Ben Miller | Running backs / special teams coordinator | 2012 / 2010 | 20074 | Air Force (2002) |
Jonathan Wallace | Tight ends | 2019 | 2019 | Auburn (2015) |
Defensive staff | ||||
John Rudzinski | Defensive coordinator / secondary | 2018 / 2015 | 20105 | Air Force (2005) |
Terrance Jamison | Defensive line | 2019 | 2019 | Wisconsin (2009) |
Brian Knorr | Outside linebackers | 2019 | 20186 | Air Force (1986) |
Alex Means | Asst. defensive line | 2018 | 20177 | Air Force (2013) |
Capt. Andre Morris | Defensive asst. | 2019 | 20178 | Air Force (2011) |
Ron Vanderlinden | Inside linebackers | 2014 | 2014 | Albion (1978) |
Chip Vaughn | Secondary | 2018 | 2018 | Wake Forest (2009) |
Strength and conditioning staff | ||||
Matt McGettigan | Head football strength & conditioning | 2007 | 2007 | Luther (Iowa) (1987) |
Support staff | ||||
Steve Senn | Director of recruiting | 2017 | 20079 | Air Force (1990) |
Col. Meg Martin | NCAA faculty representative | |||
Maj. Leotis Palmer | Administrative assistant | |||
Kyra Shea | Office manager | |||
Chris Miller | Video operations | |||
Mitch Browning | Recruiting support | |||
Jess Souza | Associate A.D., events | |||
Dan Siermine | Associate A.D., equipment | |||
Darren Hain | Equipment manager | |||
Casey Green | Stadium manager | |||
Jeff Cosky | Football operations | |||
Jerry McGinty | Human performance | |||
Ernie Sadelmyer | Athletic training | |||
Erik Kozlowski | Athletic training | |||
Mark Peters | Athletic training | |||
Derek Fitts | Athletic training | |||
Jessica Achatz | Athletic training | |||
Jack Braley | Athletic training |
- Troy Calhoun also served as a graduate assistant in 1989 and assistant coach for the varsity and junior varsity teams from 1993 to 1994 at Air Force.
- Jake Campbell also served as a graduate assistant at the Air Force Prep School in 1996.
- Steed Lobotzke also served as a graduate assistant at Air Force in 1993.
- Ben Miller also served as a graduate assistant at Air Force from 2002 to 2003.
- John Rudzinski also served as a graduate assistant at Air Force from 2005 to 2007.
- Brian Knorr also served as an assistant coach for the varsity and junior varsity teams from 1992 to 1994 and as a linebackers/safeties/assistant head coach from 2005 to 2007 at Air Force.
- Alex Means also served as a graduate assistant at Air Force in 2014.
- Capt. Andre Morris also served as a graduate assistant at Air Force in 2011.
- Steve Senn also served as a graduate assistant at Air Force in 1991.
- Source:[7]
Roster
The Air Force football roster prior to 2019 fall camp (as of July 17, 2019):[8]
- (please note that the Air Force football team rarely lists freshman players on their official roster)
2019 Air Force Falcons roster | ||||
Quarterback
Running back
Fullback
Wide receiver
Tight end
| Offensive Lineman
Defensive Lineman
Specialist
| Linebacker
Defensive back
Long snapper
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Rankings
Week | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Final |
AP | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | RV | RV | RV | 25 | 24 | 22 |
Coaches | — | — | — | — | — | RV | — | — | — | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | 25 | 24 | 23 |
CFP | Not released | — | — | — | — | — | — | Not released |
Game summaries
Colgate
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Raiders | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
Falcons | 7 | 28 | 13 | 0 | 48 |
at Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, CO
- Date: August 31, 2019
- Game time: 1:30 p.m. MDT
- Game weather: Temperature: 81 °F (27 °C) • Weather: Cloudy
- Game attendance: 33,101
- Referee: Mike Cuttone
- TV announcers (ESPN3): Trey Bender (play-by-play) & Al Groh (analyst)
- ESPN – Hammond leads way with 3 TDs, Air Force beats Colgate 48–7[9] /// Box Score, Colgate at Air Force[10] /// Pregame Notes[11] /// Postgame Notes[12]
Game information |
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At Colorado
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Falcons | 6 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 30 |
Buffaloes | 10 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 23 |
- Date: September 14, 2019
- Game time: 11:00 a.m. MDT
- Game weather: Temperature: 73 °F (23 °C) • Weather: Calm
- Game attendance: 49,282
- Referee: Brad Van Vark
- TV announcers (P12N): Guy Haberman (play-by-play), Chad Brown (analyst) & Camryn Irwin (color)
- ESPN – Remsberg scores in OT, Air Force beats Colorado 30–23[13] /// Box Score, Air Force at Colorado[14] /// Pregame Notes[15] /// Postgame Notes[16]
Game information |
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At Boise State
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Falcons | 0 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 19 |
No. 20 Broncos | 0 | 10 | 7 | 13 | 30 |
at Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID
- Date: September 20, 2019
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. MDT
- Game weather: Temperature: 64 °F (18 °C) • Wind: NW 9 mph • Weather: Partly Cloudy
- Game attendance: 36,498
- Referee: Reggie Smith
- TV announcers (ESPN2): Dave Flemming (play-by-play), Jim Mora (analyst) & Paul Carcaterra (sideline)
- ESPN – Big 2nd half leads No. 20 Boise State past Air Force 30–19[17] /// Box Score, Air Force at No. 20 Boise State[18] /// Pregame Notes[19] /// Postgame Notes[20]
Game information |
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San Jose State
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spartans | 7 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 24 |
Falcons | 7 | 14 | 13 | 7 | 41 |
at Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, CO
- Date: September 27, 2019
- Game time: 6:00 p.m. MDT
- Game weather: Temperature: 65 °F (18 °C) • Weather: Cloudy
- Game attendance: 24,786
- Referee: Kevin Hassell
- TV announcers (CBSSN): John Sadak (play-by-play) & Randy Cross (analyst)
- ESPN – Hammond leads Air Force over San Jose State 41–24[21] /// Box Score, San Jose State at Air Force[22] /// Pregame Notes[23] /// Postgame Notes[24]
Game information |
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Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Falcons | 3 | 3 | 3 | 16 | 25 |
Midshipmen | 0 | 14 | 7 | 13 | 34 |
at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, MD
- Date: October 5, 2019
- Game time: 3:30 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Temperature: 64 °F (18 °C) • Wind: E 5-10 mph • Weather: Partly Cloudy
- Game attendance: 37,957
- Referee: Michael VanderVelde
- TV announcers (CBSSN): John Sadak (play-by-play), Randy Cross (analyst) & Sheehan Stanwick-Burch (sideline)
- ESPN – Navy stuns Air Force 34–25[25] /// Box Score, Air Force at Navy[26] /// Pregame Notes[27] /// Postgame Notes[28]
Game information |
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Fresno State
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bulldogs | 14 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
Falcons | 7 | 15 | 7 | 14 | 43 |
at Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, CO
- Date: October 12, 2019
- Game time: 5:00 p.m. MDT
- Game attendance: 22,544
- Referee: Brandon Cruse
- TV announcers (CBSSN): Rich Waltz (play-by-play), Aaron Murray (analyst) & Ashley Holder (sideline)
- ESPN – Hammond's 2 TD runs help Air Force beat Fresno State 43–24[29] /// Box Score, Fresno State at Air Force[30] /// Pregame Notes[31] /// Postgame Notes[32]
Game information |
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At Hawaii
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Falcons | 7 | 21 | 7 | 21 | 56 |
Rainbow Warriors | 3 | 17 | 0 | 6 | 26 |
at Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI
- Date: October 19, 2019
- Game time: 5:00 p.m. HST
- Game weather: Temperature: 80 °F (27 °C) • Wind: ENE 10 mph • Weather: Partly Cloudy
- Game attendance: 23,757
- Referee: Steve Baron
- TV announcers (CBSSN): Rich Waltz (play-by-play) & Aaron Murray (analyst)
- ESPN – Schmidt accounts for 4 TDs, Air Force beats Hawaii 56–21[33] /// Box Score, Air Force at Hawaii[34] /// Pregame Notes[35] /// Postgame Notes[36]
Game information |
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Utah State
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aggies | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
Falcons | 0 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
at Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, CO
- Date: October 26, 2019
- Game time: 8:15 p.m. MDT
- Game weather: Temperature: 52 °F (11 °C) • Wind: Windy • Weather: Clear
- Game attendance: 19,248
- Referee: Scott Campbell
- TV announcers (ESPN2): Mike Couzens (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (analyst) & Taylor McGregor (sideline)
- ESPN – Jackson, Remsberg power Air Force past Utah State 31–7[37] /// Box Score, Utah State at Air Force[38] /// Pregame Notes[39] /// Postgame Notes[40]
Game information |
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Army
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Black Knights | 0 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 13 |
Falcons | 0 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
at Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, CO
- Date: November 2, 2019
- Game time: 1:30 p.m. MDT
- Game weather: Temperature: 51 °F (11 °C) • Wind: SSE 5 mph • Weather: Fair
- Game attendance: 41,401
- Referee: Stuart Mullins
- TV announcers (CBSSN): Ben Holden (play-by-play), Ross Tucker (analyst) & John Schriffen (sideline)
- ESPN – Air Force makes late defensive stand in 17–13 win over Army[41] /// Box Score, Army at Air Force[42] /// Pregame Notes[43] /// Postgame Notes[44]
Game information |
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At Colorado State
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Falcons | 0 | 10 | 0 | 28 | 38 |
Rams | 14 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
at Canvas Stadium, Fort Collins, CO
- Date: November 16, 2019
- Game time: 5:00 p.m. MST
- Game weather: Temperature: 42 °F (6 °C) • Wind: 23 mph • Weather: Cloudy and Windy
- Game attendance: 24,914
- Referee: David Alvarez
- TV announcers (ESPN2): Roy Philpott (play-by-play), Kelly Stouffer (analyst) & Lauren Sisler (sideline)
- ESPN – Hammond leads Air Force over Colorado State 38–21[45] /// Box Score, Air Force at Colorado State[46] /// Pregame Notes[47] /// Postgame Notes[48]
Game information |
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At New Mexico
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Falcons | 7 | 7 | 16 | 14 | 44 |
Lobos | 7 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 22 |
at Dreamstyle Stadium, Albuquerque, NM
- Date: November 23, 2019
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. MST
- Game weather: Temperature: 51 °F (11 °C) • Wind: None • Weather: Sunny
- Game attendance: 13,844
- Referee: Kevin Hassell
- TV announcers (ESPN3): Trey Bender (play-by-play) & Tyoka Jackson (analyst)
- ESPN – Hammond's career day lifts Air Force past New Mexico 44–22[49] /// Box Score, Air Force at New Mexico[50] /// Pregame Notes[51] /// Postgame Notes[52]
Game information |
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Wyoming
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cowboys | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
Falcons | 0 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 20 |
at Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, CO
- Date: November 30, 2019
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. MST
- Game weather: Temperature: 35 °F (2 °C) • Wind: NW 22 mph • Weather: Partly Cloudy
- Game attendance: 21,425
- Referee: Eddy Shelton
- TV announcers (Stadium on Facebook): Noah Coslov (play-by-play), Max Starks (analyst) & Kristen Balboni (sideline)
- ESPN – Air Force downs Wyoming 20–6 behind Hammond[53] /// Box Score, Wyoming at Air Force[54] /// Pregame Notes[55] /// Postgame Notes[56]
Game information |
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Vs. Washington State – Cheez-It Bowl
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Falcons | 0 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
Cougars | 0 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
- Date: December 27, 2019
- Game time: 8:15 p.m. MST
- Game weather: Temperature: 48 °F (9 °C) • Wind: WSW 7 mph • Weather: Cloudy
- Game attendance: 34,105
- Referee: Jeff Servinski
- TV announcers (ESPN): Clay Matvick (play-by-play), Ryan Leaf (analyst) & Cole Cubelic (sideline)
- ESPN – Air Force tops Washington State 31–21 at Cheez-It Bowl[57] /// Box Score, Air Force vs. Washington State, 2019 Cheez-It Bowl[58] /// Pregame Notes[59] /// Postgame Notes[60]
Game information |
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Source for Match-up Records:[61]