Air Force Academy – Victor Thompson has promoted himself as a football player since he entered Air Force’s program three years ago.
But as the wide receiver began his senior season, he still felt the need to point out he was ready to catch the ball for a team that relies mostly on the run.
So he devised the nickname “Waffle House,” as in, he’s open 24 hours, seven days a week.
Quarterback Shaun Carney took the hint Thursday night in Air Force’s victory over Colorado State. He threw a touchdown pass to Thompson for the winning points.
In the third quarter, he had found sophomore Spencer Armstrong open for a touchdown. The two scores were the first of the season for the wide receivers.
Receivers coach Blane Morgan believes his group is doing a better job to help the offense.
“Teams aren’t overly concerned with our passing game,” Morgan said. “The triple option is the biggest concern of most defenses that face us. We take what the defense gives us in our play-action passing.
“We happened to be open a couple of times and he (Carney) threw us the football. If we can continue being efficient in throwing to keep teams off-balance, that’s when this offense is at its best.”
Carney’s two touchdown passes and 106 yards rushing against the Rams earned him the Mountain West Conference’s offensive player of the week award.
“I don’t know if it’s that we’re not utilizing our receivers as much as last year or our running game is that much better this year,” Carney said.
The success of Air Force’s running game, averaging 276.2 yards a game, has made it a different season for the wide receivers. A year ago after five games, Jason Brown had 22 catches for 432 yards and two touchdowns and Greg Kirkwood had 12 catches for 220 yards and a touchdown. Thompson leads the way this year with nine catches for 102 yards and a touchdown.
“You prove what you can do blocking and then you get the ball,” Thompson said. “I don’t expect a touchdown catch every week, but I’m going to do my best to get into the end zone.”
Added Armstrong: “We knew we were going to primarily be used as blockers. We were called on in a couple of big situations and we came through. As the year goes along and defenses start coming up as Colorado State’s did, we’ll be able to exploit some weaknesses.”
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
