It’s dividend time.
Air Force’s portfolio was established two years ago, and with normal growth there are expectations the Falcons will reap the benefits beginning Saturday evening against No. 11 Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn.
Basis for the optimism are six players who either started or saw considerable playing time as freshmen in 2004, breaking into what had always been a junior and senior dominated roster. Shaun Carney, unknown except for a year at the academy’s prep school, caused the biggest shock by claiming the starting quarterback spot.
Now, entering their junior seasons, it’s time for Carney and his five fellow upstarts to determine whether their early presence was a sign of promise or a sign of facing hard times from a lack of junior-senior talent. In their first two seasons, Air Force suffered its first back-to-back losing records in coach Fisher DeBerry’s 23-year term at the helm.
“There are no more reasons for excuses,” Carney said. “There are no more excuses for anything. Our experience should start paying off right now. There’s not a better coach than experience. We’re starting out as an underdog, but that’s good for us. We’re hungry players.”
But Tennessee is a major roadblock. The Vols have already played a game, thrashing then-No. 9 California 35-18. Coach Phillip Fulmer expects to see the same hungry attitude his team displayed against the Golden Bears.
While DeBerry views the freshman players of two years ago as a “positive,” he’s more positive about their third season.
“Whether you’re Penn State, Ohio State or Air Force, when you have a junior-senior dominated team, you’re usually pretty stout,” DeBerry said. “We had some freshmen play on our 12-1 teams, but not many. I expect dividends. You’re going to be really, really competitive when you’re playing mostly juniors and seniors.”
Carney’s freshman teammates of two years ago are free safety Bobby Giannini, strong safety Julian Madrid, cornerback Carson Bird, halfback Chad Smith and guard Caleb Morris.
“We helped the team as much as we could and I think it needed help,” said Giannini, who led the Falcons in tackles last year with 92. “I don’t think they would have put us out there if they had other players who were better.”
Madrid moved from free to strong safety last year, and his playing time suffered early in the season.
“Playing my first years allowed me to grow up a lot quicker,” Madrid said. “I feel as if I’ve seen every situation that could come at me. We’ve all made contributions. I feel like I’m ahead of the game. It’s going to pay dividends in the long run for the team.”
Morris missed last season with a back injury but is challenging to gain a starting position on the line. His priority is to beat Army and Navy.
“Our playing had nothing to do with our program going downhill,” Morris said. “I learned a lot from juniors and seniors on the team. They didn’t treat me like a punk freshman.”
Bird lost some confidence last year, even though he played well against the likes of California as a freshman.
“I don’t have any reason to doubt myself,” Bird said. “A lot of people might say we were going downhill when we played as freshmen. People can say what they want.”
Smith is looking for a fast start to this season as a turnaround to a disappointing sophomore year.
“I feel a lot more confident as a player,” Smith said. “Experience makes you stronger on the field. You know what to expect from the speed of the game.”
GAME BREAKDOWN
Players to watch
Air Force – Quarterback Shaun Carney begins his junior season and third as a starter after passing for 1,393 yards and seven touchdowns and rushing for 710 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. Free safety Bobby Giannini led the Falcons in tackles last year with 92. AFA defense is under the gun to lower points allowed of 31.7 last year.
Tennessee – Quarterback Erik Ainge passed for 291 yards and four touchdowns last week in 35-18 victory over Cal. Linebacker Jerod Mayo had seven tackles, including three sacks against the Golden Bears.
Key stat
Tennessee defense allowed just 64 yards rushing against Cal. Falcons averaged 246.5 yards a game in 2005.
Key for Air Force
Carney must keep the offense on the field for long drives in yardage and clock time, with touchdowns on the end.
Key for Tennessee
The Vols went out in front 35-0 against California. A similar effort against Air Force would tax the triple-option offense to keep up.
Staff writer Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
