When Jim House coaches against Air Force, there’s more involved than just the X’s and O’s of football.
The San Diego State assistant head coach has as much knowledge of Air Force’s program as any coach the Falcons face. The teams open their Mountain West Conference seasons at noon Saturday at Falcon Stadium.
“I go back a long time with Air Force,” said House, also the Aztecs’ defensive line coach. “I remember when I was at Laramie High School, I’d go watch the Cowboys and cadets play. It seems as if I’ve been involved with Air Force my entire career, as a player or coach.”
House was a prominent linebacker for Wyoming and later coached at Wyoming against Air Force. His knowledge of the Falcons seems to have paid off, with San Diego State 3-0 against Air Force since he joined the Aztecs’ coaching staff in 2002.
While most teams struggle to play the Falcons’ triple-option offense, the Aztecs have adjusted well. House is a big reason.
“I know the option pretty well,” House said. “When I coached at Wyoming, we ran the wishbone and triple option most of the time. We take on the mind-set of playing it in all of our practices, so it’s not a big thing when we play them.”
Two years ago, San Diego State’s defense kept the Falcons out of the end zone in a 24-3 victory. A year ago, San Diego State won at Air Force 37-31.
“I try to teach my players what Air Force’s offense is trying to do to them,” House said. “They hit really quick but when playing the option, you have to take care of the blocker ahead of you before thinking about what’s beyond.”
House, whose playing days at Wyoming ended after the 1968 season, said he almost joined the Air Force staff when Fisher DeBerry offered him a job after becoming the Falcons’ head coach in 1984.
House does not seem worried that Air Force has gone to a quarterback rotation, used successfully in its 20-17 victory over Washington last week. Reserve quarterback Adam Fitch came into the game once in each half to spell starter Shaun Carney and directed the Falcons to a key second-half touchdown.
“We see the same blocking schemes no matter who they have at quarterback,” House said. “Our job is the same.”
San Diego State looked vulnerable on defense in its opener, giving up 191 yards rushing in a 44-21 loss to UCLA.
Footnotes
Kevin Craft, son of San Diego State head coach Tom Craft, is running the scout team this week at quarterback and reportedly is giving the Aztecs’ defense a good look at the triple option. … Aztecs junior Brett Sturm, from Heritage High School and son of former Broncos center Jerry Sturm, will play Saturday at strong safety.
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-820-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
