The possible loss of defensive end Gilberto Perez is something the Air Force Falcons don’t need as they prepare for Saturday’s 1:30 p.m. home game against Army.
With 110 points allowed in the past two games – losses to Texas Christian (48-10) and Brigham Young (62-41) – the AFA defense needs all the help it can get. Perez, a starter all season, suffered a sprained right knee during the BYU game over the weekend and is doubtful for the Army game.
Injured quarterback Shaun Carney is listed as day to day as the Falcons (3-6) await their final home game of the season.
Carney suffered a cut on the palm of his left hand at BYU that required seven stitches.
Senior backup Adam Fitch came off the bench to rally the Falcons with a school-record five touchdown passes that made the game appear closer than it actually was.
“We were put in a desperation situation and we did what we had to do,” Fitch said of the AFA rally. “We didn’t execute early in the game and we had some turnovers that killed us.”
Carney committed two turnovers, an interception and a fumble, and Fitch threw two interceptions. Fitch expects to be back on the sideline again this week if Carney is able to play against Army.
“If Shaun’s good to go, he’ll probably start,” said Fitch, from Gillette, Wyo. “That’s the way I’ll approach it, and I know the coaches probably will look at it that way, too.”
But AFA coach Fisher DeBerry could look at the fact that Fitch started against Army last year and the Falcons won 31-22 in West Point, N.Y.
“He believes that when he comes into the game, he can make something happen,” DeBerry said. “That’s his attitude.”
Air Force has struggled after starting the season 2-0.
“The sky was the limit for us at the start of the season,” senior center Jon Wilson said. “We thought we could score as many points as we wanted. But we haven’t accomplished any of our goals. And the way the offense played against BYU hurt our defense, because it had to play a lot of the game.”
Said senior strong safety John Taibi: “BYU’s offensive line was big and strong. When we blitzed, it left our secondary vulnerable, and they seemed to always find the holes in our defense.”
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-820-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
