Every college football game probably could be called a chess match, but the wheels really turn when Air Force and New Mexico play each other.
From the New Mexico side and coach Rocky Long, the talk is about the difficulty of preparing for Air Force’s triple- option offense. But Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry contends it’s just as tough preparing for New Mexico’s defense, which at times uses six players in the secondary.
“Rocky does have a unique system, and they play such good defense and they play it aggressively,” DeBerry said. “We have to spend extra time every year studying their defense.”
Long counters that Air Force runs the triple option as well as any team he has ever seen.
“I think they’re reacting and running the offense with greater speed than last year,” Long said. “You have to have great confidence in your defense when you play Air Force.
We’re not as good defensively right now as I would like. We’re going to have a good defensive team, but we’re not at the level we need to be.”
The schedule won’t wait. Air Force won its Mountain West Conference opener, beating Wyoming 31-24 in Laramie. The Falcons (1-1) are playing their home opener Saturday against the Lobos (2-2).
“The problems that we both face is why this is a big-time matchup,” Lobos junior safety Tyson Ditmore said. “They have a very good offense that is different, and we have a good defense that is different. It’s like we’re trying to outscheme each other. I’ve learned from playing them the last two years that we change what we’re doing a lot during the game.”
DeBerry said the Falcons, who have won the past two meetings, also adjust a lot against New Mexico.
“You like to have an idea before the snap of what they’re going to do,” DeBerry said.
New Mexico’s base defense is a 3-3 alignment, but presents a multitude of looks when the Lobos put six in the secondary. While the Lobos’ pass defense is suspect (263.8 yards allowed per game), they have 11 sacks this season and are allowing just 86.8 yards rushing a game.
“Our defense is complicated,” New Mexico junior linebacker Cody Kase. “It’s comparable to causing the same problems as Air Force’s offense. I think it’s tougher preparing for their option offense. There are a lot of adjustments in every game, but the biggest thing when playing Air Force is playing all four quarters at a high level.”
Footnote
Long has allowed safety Aleem Harris to return to practice but left it as indefinite when he might play in a game. Harris was suspended last spring after an altercation with a former girlfriend, according to reports out of Albuquerque.
He was the Lobos’ second-leading tackler last year.
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
