Maybe there’s a need to look back to Sept. 9 for a clue to Air Force’s Mountain West Conference football game Saturday at Wyoming.
The Falcons and Cowboys were far from home against teams that put them in the underdog role. The Cowboys lost 13-12 at Virginia in overtime and the Falcons lost 31-30 at Tennessee, failing to convert a two-point conversion with 1:35 left in the game.
Now the conference opener for Air Force and Wyoming provides a fresh start, though a quirk in the schedule has the Falcons with only one game of experience and the Cowboys have three. Air Force (0-1) and Wyoming (1-2) continue the closest series in the region, which the Falcons lead 21-20-3.
As he looked at the schedule before the season, Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry predicted that it might be nice to have a bye after playing Tennessee for the extra time to prepare for the Falcons’ conference opener.
But after nearly beating the Volunteers in Knoxville, Tenn., most of the Air Force players said it would be nice to be playing again the next week.
Air Force junior quarterback Shaun Carney was vocal after the Tennessee game in wishing that the Falcons weren’t looking at a bye week.
“We have a lot of momentum going and we have to wait two weeks,” Carney said.
The Falcons don’t have to wait much longer to see if their effort against the Volunteers was typical how they will play this year. Air Force is trying to end a run of two consecutive losing seasons.
Air Force’s 29-28 loss to Wyoming last year started a four- game losing streak and the Falcons finished 4-7.
The Cowboys’ success in the air against Air Force’s defense has been a factor in Wyoming victories over the Falcons the past two seasons. Wyoming’s passing game accounted for 268 yards, 14 first downs and two touchdowns in 2004 and for 267 yards, 11 first downs and a touchdown last year.
While Air Force leads the series, Wyoming is 11-7-2 against the Falcons in Laramie. Air Force hasn’t won at Wyoming since a 51-34 shootout in 2000.
EYE ON … The Cowboys
AIR FORCE AT WYOMING, 2:30 p.m. Saturday
For the record: Mountain West Conference opener for both teams. The Cowboys are 1-2.
Streaking: The Cowboys have lost two in a row after beating Utah State 38-7 in their opener.
Who’s hot: Sophomore linebacker Ward Dobbs was credited with 12 tackles against Boise State.
Who’s not: Junior quarterback Jacob Doss threw two interceptions and was sacked five times in the Boise State game.
Key stat: Wyoming’s turnover margin after three games is minus-5.
FYI: Wyoming has defeated Front Range rival Air Force the past two years, winning 43-26 in 2004 and 29-28 last season.
Injury report: Senior defensive end Mike Groover (knee).
Coachspeak: “We started four series with penalties and when you do that, it really takes your coordinator out of his play-calling. Our defense played a great game. My hat is off to our ‘D.”‘ – Wyoming coach Joe Glenn, after the Cowboys’ 17-10 loss to Boise State
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
