Air Force Academy – Even though allowing 412 total yards might indicate otherwise, Air Force defensive coordinator Richard Bell believed his unit won some battles Saturday night in the Falcons’ 31-30 loss at Tennessee.
In fact, Bell said his Air Force defenders played well enough that they took Tennessee out of its game plan early in the game.
According to Bell, the tendency for Tennessee is to wear down its opponent with its running game. But late in the first quarter, the Volunteers had to change their strategy.
“If they were going to win the game, they were going to have to throw the football,” Bell said.
Tennessee’s running game was held to 79 yards. Tailbacks Montario Hardesty and Arian Foster were limited to 3.8 and 3.1 yards per carry, respectively, with Hardesty netting 72 yards and a touchdown.
Tennessee turned to quarterback Erik Ainge, who completed 24-of-29 passes, including 15 in a row at one point, for 333 yards and three touchdowns.
Although those were impressive numbers, Bell said 16 of the Vols’ 24 receptions were for 3 yards or fewer.
Strong safety Julian Madrid made the defensive play of the game for the Falcons with an interception in the fourth quarter that stopped the Vols at the Air Force 24-yard line. The Falcons took over and drove to a touchdown that cut Tennessee’s lead to 31-24 with 2:36 left in the game.
“I’m never going to be satisfied with a loss, whether it’s Tennessee or not,” Bell said “We went there to win. I think it’s something we can build on. We came out of the game with some confidence.”
MWC salutes kicker
Air Force’s Zach Sasser was named the Mountain West Conference special-teams player of the week after kicking three extra points, a 22-yard field goal and a successfully executed onside kick. The onside kick was followed by an Air Force touchdown that made the score 31-30 with 1:35 left. The Falcons tried a two-point conversion, but didn’t make it.
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
