The last thing Air Force’s defense needed was a reminder of former Navy fullback Kyle Eckel.
But last Thursday night in Fort Collins, Colorado State’s Kyle Bell pummeled the Falcons for 197 yards and three touchdowns in CSU’s 41-23 victory, bringing back memories of Eckel’s 176-yard showing in 2003. Eckel helped Navy to a 28-25 victory, its first of two straight over the Falcons, who play the Middies on Saturday in Annapolis, Md.
Eckel is gone, but the Midshipmen run the same option offense that depends heavily on strong fullback play. Navy fullbacks Matt Hall and Adam Ballard have combined for 187 yards in three games.
Air Force defensive line coach Ron Burton thinks the assignment will bring out the best in his players.
“Not only the team, but the academy and the Air Force are looking forward to this game,” Burton said. “Mentally there’s a little more energy this week. There are a few more pats on the back and a little bit more rah-rah this week.”
Coach Fisher DeBerry has emphasized the challenge of stopping Navy’s running game.
Burton said his defensive front has to improve its tackling.
Senior defensive end Nelson Mitchell realizes the Falcons are going into a hostile environment, with a capacity crowd of nearly 35,000 expected.
“A lot of us have friends and family on the East Coast,” Mitchell said. “This is their only chance to see us play. It was the same at Army last year, but we just fed off their energy. This game is bigger than just us. We’re getting e-mails from people in the Air Force. A lot of players who were here before say they’d like to play against Army or Navy again one more time.”
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-820-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
