Air Force’s defensive players met Army’s Mr. Jones a year ago at Michie Stadium in West Point, N.Y., and there was debate about who won the meeting.
Carlton Jones finished with 213 yards rushing and two touchdowns, but 202 of his yards came in the first half. Air Force’s side to the meeting was a 31-22 win.
The teams meet again Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Falcon Stadium and Jones, now a senior, comes into the game with some added stature. A year ago, he just was another running back at Army. This season he has taken over a place once held by the legendary Glenn Davis.
With 162 rushing yards in Army’s 20-0 victory over Akron two weeks ago, Jones improved his career rushing total to 3,065 yards, moving into second place and ahead of Davis on Army’s all-time rushing list. Davis, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1946, had a career rushing total of 2,957 yards. Mike Mayweather is the Army career leader at 4,299 yards (1987-90).
“It’s not a Heisman Trophy, but it’s a nice accomplishment for me,” Jones said. “I know Glenn Davis was a great player. When you are here, you still hear so much about him.”
While Jones isn’t on any Heisman watch, the Falcons know him all too well.
“He will be a real challenge for our defensive team,” Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry said. “But this is a very important game for our seniors. Nothing would make me happier than to see them go out with a victory in their last game in Falcon Stadium and to continue a string of not losing to Army in their four years.”
DeBerry said there is more excitement on campus this week. A bonfire rally is scheduled for tonight in the cadet area.
While Air Force (3-6) is playing out a lackluster season, Army (1-6) is beginning a trek in search of the Commander-in- Chief’s Trophy. A victory Saturday would put the Black Knights in contention for the trophy, with the winner to be determined Dec. 3 when they play Navy. A loss to Air Force would keep the trophy in Navy’s possession for a third consecutive year.
Army is attempting to end a string of 13 consecutive losses at Falcon Stadium, and coach Bobby Ross is taking his first shot at breaking the string. He has experience coaching at altitude, having led the San Diego Chargers against the Broncos.
“We’ll consider using oxygen on the sidelines,” Ross said. “But I don’t think there is any other special adjustment we would make.”
ARMY AT AIR FORCE
KEY MATCHUPS
Army (1-6): Quarterback Zac Dahman and halfback Carlton Jones might argue over who will get the ball and the most chances to face an Air Force defense that has allowed 110 points and 1,229 total yards in its past two games, lopsided losses to TCU and BYU. Dahman, a senior, has set an Army record with 5,799 yards of total offense in his career. Jones also is among Army leaders with nine career 100-yard rushing games, tying him for fourth on the school’s all-time list. But Army’s defensive unit ranks as the strength of the team. The Black Knights are allowing an average of just 136 yards rushing per game.
Air Force (3-6): Senior quarterback Adam Fitch gets a start against Army for the second consecutive year, stepping in for injured Shaun Carney. Fitch led the Falcons to a 31-22 victory over the Black Knights a year ago at West Point. Though he set a school record with five touchdown passes last week against BYU, Fitch’s forte is running the option. The Falcons need to run well to win. Air Force’s strength is its offensive line. The battle between that line and Army’s strength on the defensive front should decide this game.
KEY STAT
33.1 – Points the Falcons are allowing per game.
KEY FOR ARMY
Give the defense some help. The Black Knights are coming off their first shutout of a Division I-A team since 1991, 20-0 over Akron. The defense has been competitive in most games but hasn’t gotten much help from an offense that has struggled to maintain consistency. Air Force is averaging 29.3 points per game.
KEY FOR AIR FORCE
Give the offense some help. AFA defensive meltdowns the past two weeks led to 48-10 and 62-41 losses. The best way to keep Dahman and Jones in check is to keep the ball away from them. Air Force’s offense not only must score, but eat up the clock until the defense starts playing better.
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-820-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
