The matchup
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Colorado State (1-2, 0-0): Senior quarterback Justin Holland has done an excellent job spreading the ball to wide receivers Johnny Walker, David Anderson and Dustin Osborn, so Air Force can’t concentrate only on Anderson, who leads the MWC in receptions per game (7.3), good for seventh nationally. Meanwhile, the biggest boost to the Rams’ passing game has been the sudden appearance of a running game. Kyle Bell, a sophomore from Weld Central, went from third team to third in MWC rushing with his 183-yard outing against Nevada. He will be out to prove it wasn’t a fluke, though yards will be tougher to get against Air Force. But CSU is eager for payback after losing 47-17 at Falcon Stadium a year ago.
Air Force (2-2, 1-2): Few would ever imagine an AFA player among MWC leaders in receiving, but senior wideout Jason Brown is, thanks to nine catches for 184 yards against Utah last week. Brown ranks second in MWC receiving yards with 97.8 a game. The former Arvada West star will command a lot more attention from CSU than he might have two weeks ago. Sophomore quarterback Shaun Carney has played well at times but must reduce his turnovers. Star safety Bobby Giannini, a sophomore, has two interceptions and ranks third in the MWC with 36 tackles.
KEY STAT
31.3 – CSU’s per-game average in points, second in the MWC, just ahead of Air Force (31.0). All signs point to another shootout typical in this hard-fought Front Range series. CSU is last in the MWC and 103rd nationally in total defense, yielding 453.3 yards a game, and the Falcons are next to last in the MWC, allowing 395.0. Only the 5:30 p.m. game time guarantees fans will get home before midnight.
KEY FOR AIR FORCE
Avoiding the big mistakes – turnovers and special-teams errors – that cost the Falcons in close losses to Utah (38-35) and Wyoming (29-28).
KEY FOR COLORADO STATE
The Rams always are more comfortable when they keep the ball away from Air Force. If Bell, a punishing runner, can approach last week’s
success on the ground, CSU figures to be in good shape tonight.
NATALIE MEISLER
