Air Force Academy – Noah Garguile is right on schedule getting to where defensive line coach Ron Burton thought he would be.
The Air Force junior worked his way through a shoulder bruise midway through preseason practice to a starting assignment at left defensive end for the Falcons’ season opener Saturday night at Tennessee.
“He’s the player we thought would be there because of his legs,” Burton said. “He’s aggressive and he has the ability to move around. He played tight end and his running ability helps him. He’s eager to play and we had to make sure he understands his position.”
Garguile’s move to the starting lineup was the lone change on Air Force’s depth chart going into the final week of preseason practice. Sophomore Garrett Gilbertson had moved to the top during the middle portion of camp when Garguile was injured.
While he brings some running ability to Air Force’s defense line, Garguile doesn’t bring a lot of game experience. He joins senior Gilberto Perez, who started in nine games last year before suffering a knee injury; senior Grant Thomas, who played in 11 games and started three; and junior Josh Clayton, who played in 10 games as a reserve.
All of the Falcons’ defensive players are on notice from coach Fisher DeBerry to become tougher to score against. Air Force allowed 31.7 points per game in 2005 and finished 4-7.
The Falcons know junior quarterback Erik Ainge threw four touchdown passes in Tennessee’s opener last week, a 35-18 victory over California.
“As tacticians of the game, we have to find the areas where we can attack him,” Burton said.
Garguile believes this year’s AFA defense will accomplish what DeBerry wants, but he recognizes the tough early test.
“They looked like a great team, with good speed and strength up front,” Garguile said of the Volunteers. “We have our work cut out for us. But the only way we can get our program to a higher level is to play the dynasty teams. If you want to be the best, you have to schedule the best.”
Garguile has only one complaint about the Falcons’ schedule. He is from Bremerton, Wash., and a huge fan of the Seattle Seahawks. He considered going to Washington but didn’t think Rick Neuheisel, the Huskies’ coach at the time, showed much interest in him.
Garguile comes from a large Italian family, and if his first AFA start had come last season, he would have faced the Huskies in Seattle.
“I think I had 50 family members at the game,” Garguile said. “It was my first year on defense and I didn’t get to play. You have to wait your turn, and this is my turn.”
Focus on fullbacks
Senior fullback Jacobe Kendrick returned briefly to practice Monday, but he probably won’t have much of a role in Air Force’s opener.
A strained hamstring kept Kendrick out of practice most of the past three weeks, and juniors Ryan Williams and Scott Peeples occupy the top two spots on the depth chart.
Williams will get the start.
“Ryan Williams has had an outstanding preseason and Scott Peeples has gotten better every day,” fullbacks coach Paul Hamilton said.
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
