Maybe the best way to explain the initial turnaround of Air Force’s fortunes is the performance of the team’s halfbacks.
With contributions from Chad Hall, Beau Suder, Chad Smith and Justin Handley, the halfbacks are adding the third threat to Air Force’s triple-option offense.
Last season, the same set of halfbacks gained 794 yards and had four touchdowns in a 4-7 season.
This season, in games against Tennessee (31-30 loss) and Wyoming (31-24 win), the halfback position has contributed 268 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Hall’s 122 yards at Wyoming were the most by an Air Force halfback since Leotis Palmer rushed for 125 yards in 2002 against New Mexico.
“Coach (Jemal) Singleton taught us early on that we’re not going to do one thing and then stop,” Hall said. “Our mentality is we’re not going to stop at the first hit, we’re going to keep driving and get as much yardage as we can. Beau, Justin and Chad Smith blocked great and I was just running behind them.”
Before the season, Singleton, coaching the Air Force halfbacks for the first time this year, said he wanted them to play as the halfbacks did when he played for the Falcons.
In Singleton’s days as a player (1996-98), Air Force halfbacks had to block in order to play. The Falcons were a combined 28-9 in Singleton’s three seasons.
Hall’s work against the Cowboys didn’t go unnoticed by junior quarterback Shaun Carney or head coach Fisher DeBerry.
“He (Hall) and (fullback) Ryan Williams have the best work ethic on our team,” Carney said. “They really work their tail off and it shows. I remember going into the north end zone, we ran a pitch and the corner came flying up there. Chad made him miss and went on to get a first down.”
The Falcons went on to score their fourth touchdown of the game and take a 28-14 lead.
“I thought Hall had some great second effort,” DeBerry said. “My hat’s off to our offense because we were able to control the ball with 18-play drives. There’s a lot of work to be done, but there still were a lot of questions we answered.”
Hall is ready for Saturday’s home opener against New Mexico.
“We’re not going to lose at home,” Hall said. “We had so much support here (in Laramie), we’re just excited to get back before our home fans.”
EYE ON … The Lobos
NEW MEXICO AT AIR FORCE, Noon, Saturday
For the record: New Mexico is 2-2 entering its Mountain West Conference opener.
Streaking: The Lobos have lost to the Falcons the past two years, 28-23 in 2004 and 42-24 in 2005.
Who’s hot: Quarterback Chris Nelson and wide receiver Marcus Smith have fueled New Mexico’s scoring, Nelson with six touchdown passes and Smith with 22 catches (five for touchdowns).
Who’s not: The Lobos’ running game hasn’t been productive in terms of scoring. Nelson’s touchdown on a sneak last week against Texas-El Paso is the Lobos’ only touchdown on the ground.
Key stat: New Mexico’s defense is giving up just 2.9 yards per running play.
FYI: Nelson was targeted as the backup at quarterback this season behind Kole Mc-
Kamey. The senior has played in three of New Mexico’s four games, starting two.
Injury report: McKamey, also a senior, suffered a season-ending knee injury early in the Lobos’ second game.
Coachspeak: “We didn’t make any mistakes (last week) and we hope that’s a sign we’re improving. Whether it is or not, it has to be because we’re facing a team that’s difficult to prepare for. It’s impossible to get ready to play Air Force in three days.” – New Mexico coach Rocky Long, after the Lobos defeated UTEP 26-13 in Albuquerque
EYE ON … The Bulldogs
COLORADO ST. AT FRESNO ST., 8 p.m. Saturday
For the record: Fresno State is 1-2, losing to Oregon and Washington.
Streaking: Fresno State has lost six of its past seven games since starting 8-1 in 2005.
Who’s hot: Fresno State running back Dwayne Wright ranks fifth nationally in rushing, averaging 149.3 yards.
Who’s not: Kicker Clint Stit-ser had a game-tying PAT blocked with 4:30 left in a 21-20 loss at Washington.
Key stat: Wright carried 29 times for 154 yards in a 31-24 loss to Oregon.
FYI: Fresno State beat Nevada 28-19 in its opener, and Nevada beat CSU 28-10 two weeks later.
Injury report: None available.
Coachspeak: “We’ll play anyone, anytime, anywhere.” – Fresno State coach Pat Hill’s often-repeated scheduling philosophy
– Natalie Meisler
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
