Air Force Academy – Once again, Adam Fitch is Air Force’s quarterback for a day.
With sophomore starter Shaun Carney questionable for the Army game Saturday because of a cut on his left hand that required seven stitches to close, AFA coach Fisher DeBerry put Fitch at the top of the depth chart Monday. Fitch, a senior from Gillette, Wyo., will start against the Black Knights, the Falcons’ final home game of the season and Fitch’s career.
DeBerry wouldn’t guarantee Fitch would remain a starter when the Falcons close their season Nov. 19 at New Mexico even though Fitch set an AFA record with five touchdown passes last week against Brigham Young. The Falcons lost to the Cougars 62-41 and fell to 3-6.
“We’re going to start Adam Fitch against Army because he has to carry most of the load in practice this week,” DeBerry said. “Shaun has made a lot of progress over the weekend. Hands are probably more important to a quarterback than anybody else. We’ll play it game by game and see how it goes for New Mexico.
“Adam did a fine job the other day (at BYU). He had two interceptions … but otherwise he played a very productive game.”
Fitch’s career has been a roller-coaster ride. As a sophomore in 2003, he came off the bench in a game at Northwestern and led the Falcons to 22-21 victory after starter Chance Harridge was ejected for an altercation with a Northwestern assistant coach.
The next spring, Fitch suffered an Achilles tendon injury and wasn’t at full speed when the 2004 season started. Carney became the starter as a freshman. But Fitch came off the bench in the Army game last season and piloted the Falcons to a 31-22 victory in West Point, N.Y.
Fitch requested a move to halfback in spring drills this year, but returned to quarterback because of concerns about depth.
He came off the bench again in the 2005 opener against Washington in Seattle and marched the Falcons 99 yards to a touchdown. They won 20-17.
He saw spot duty in Air Force’s other games until Carney was injured early in the second quarter against BYU.
“I’m happy for him,” DeBerry said of Fitch, noting his record- setting game at BYU. “He has the respect of his teammates and he has played his role of backup admirably. His strongest point is running the option, but he also has thrown the football well.”
Fitch’s five TD passes broke a school record shared by Mike Thiessen (2000), Rich Haynie (1972) and Paul Stein (1965). Each threw four in a game.
“It’s a nice feeling, and I’m definitely proud of it,” Fitch said. “I’d rather have a victory.
“As far as deserving to start the last two games, I don’t feel that way. Our pride is at stake. I’m starting on Saturday because Shaun is hurt. I’ve always been loyal to this program.”
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-820-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
