Air Force Academy – As a halfback in Air Force’s triple-option offense, junior Justin Handley knows how to improvise. He showed last Saturday he’s beginning to get the hang of it by leading the Falcons in rushing with 62 yards against TCU.
But Handley’s biggest test at improvisation might come next year. To satisfy a superstition, he goes to the back of the end zone at Falcon Stadium before each home game and places two pinches of grass blades in each sock.
“It’s a motivational thing for me,” Handley said. “The idea is to take the grass out of the back of the end zone before the game and then give it back during the game by scoring a touchdown.”
That could be a problem, starting next year. Air Force is installing an artificial surface.
“I’ll try to come up with something new,” Handley said. “Maybe I can use the black rubber material from the artificial grass.”
But of immediate concern is Air Force’s game against BYU on Saturday in Provo, Utah, a contest that could determine whether the Falcons have a winning season. At 3-5, Air Force needs to win its remaining three games to avoid a second consecutive losing season. The Falcons also have Army and New Mexico left on the schedule.
Handley, a quarterback when he first arrived at the academy from Stone Mountain, Ga., is one of a crowd of converted quarterbacks playing halfback. Teammates Chad Hall and Jim Ollis were asked to make the same transition.
Handley attributes his recent success to opposing defenses concentrating on the fullback and quarterback.
“We never go into a game saying we’re not giving the ball to the halfbacks,” Handley said. “I think the defenses are concentrating on our fullbacks and quarterbacks, and that’s opening up the outside. … Working hard is paying off for me.”
Air Force assistant coach Tim Horton, who coaches the halfbacks, agrees.
“The thing that I’m really pleased about is that he isn’t letting a knee sprain and a hand injury slow him down,” Horton said. “He’s getting better and better. He’s a good blocker and a good pass receiver. He’s solid in all areas.”
At 5-feet-8, 175 pounds, Handley doesn’t have the size, or, he said, the speed, to threaten a defense as some backs do. But he has the passion to succeed.
“You never can be too fast,” Handley said. “I’ve got enough speed to get around the corner. But everybody is getting to be more athletic.”
Besides pocketing the grass, Handley has another routine he sticks to before each game.
He telephones his parents, even if they are in the stands.
“It helps me to put my mind at ease,” he said.
Air Force vs. BYU
PLAYERS TO WATCH
AIR FORCE (3-5, 2-4): Air Force’s secondary of safety Bobby Giannini and cornerbacks Nathan Smith and Chris Sutton is key to the Falcons’ success. BYU quarterback John Beck is the top passer in the Mountain West Conference, averaging 317 yards a game, with 14 touchdown passes. The best situation for Air Force’s secondary would be Falcons quarterback Shaun Carney keeping the offense moving and BYU’s offense on the sideline. Carney needs a lot of help from fullbacks Jacobe Kendrick, Ryan Williams and Scott Peeples.
BYU (3-4, 2-2): Beck is moving up the ranks in conference passing marks. He’s 41 yards short of 5,687 passing yards, which would move him into third place in the MWC record book for passing yards. He is two touchdown passes short of 31, which would tie him for fifth place in career touchdown passes. Beck has an effective counter in running back Curtis Brown, who leads the team in rushing with 527 yards and five touchdowns. Brown rushed for 128 yards last year against the Falcons. Todd Watkins is one of the most dangerous receivers in the league, averaging 15.9 yards a reception. He has six touchdowns.
KEY STAT
The team that limits turnovers will have a big advantage. Air Force has 17 turnovers and BYU 15.
KEY FOR AIR FORCE
The Falcons have to put aside the turmoil of coach Fisher DeBerry’s problems and concentrate on football. Carney, who had two interceptions last week against TCU, has to play an errorless game for the Falcons to have a chance.
KEY FOR BYU
The Cougars could have the upper hand on third down, on which Air Force’s defense ranks last in the league. BYU has converted 40.2 percent of its third downs, and the Falcons have allowed opponents to convert 47.7 percent of their third downs.
Staff writer Irv Moss can be reached at 303-820-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
