Even coach Fisher DeBerry couldn’t remember circumstances quite like those of San Diego State’s redshirt freshman quarterback Kevin Craft. And the Air Force coach draws on 38 years of coaching experience, the past 23 as head coach of the Falcons.
Craft is starting in Chuck Long’s offense in his first year as head coach. It isn’t so unusual to be playing for a different coach than the one who recruited you, but in Craft’s case, Long replaced Tom Craft, his father.
Next up in the Craft-Craft-Long scenario is Saturday night’s Mountain West Conference game in Qualcomm Stadium, pitting the conference-leading Falcons (3-2, 3-0 MWC) against cellar-dwelling Aztecs (0-5, 0-2).
Long called the string of events a “strange-but-neat story.”
The Aztecs coach said a life-goes-on attitude exists between himself and the quarterback.
“Kevin has an excellent arm and he’s a student of the game,” Long said. “He’s as fast as some of our skill players. He has a lot of poise for a freshman, and there’s a lot of moxie to him.”
Kevin Craft, who will make his second career start Saturday, said his time around the program when his dad was the coach helped him gain the nod when junior Kevin O’Connell (thumb) and Darren Mougey (shoulder) were injured. Tom Craft was the Aztecs’ quarterback in 1975-76.
“I’ve been around my dad, and he’s obviously a great quarterbacks coach who has taught a lot of great quarterbacks over the years,” Kevin Craft said. “I have had a chance to sit in on a lot of meetings and be around the game and see how (Aztecs quarterbacks) have reacted in games. This is something that’s always been in the back of my mind, and I’m really excited now to have the chance to get out there.”
DeBerry said Air Force looked at Craft, but knew he probably would stay in San Diego.
“He’s going to be an outstanding quarterback,” DeBerry said. “I’m sure Tom Craft was disappointed the way things turned out, but he’s glad to see his son get the opportunity to play.”
Air Force junior quarterback Shaun Carney can relate to the focus Craft has and doubts there is animosity. Carney’s older brother Mark is the quarterbacks coach at Richmond. Shaun can imagine being caught in family ties, but he thinks team ties would prevail.
“I’m sure you could be upset that a person you loved and trusted wasn’t your coach any longer,” Carney said. “But you’re also living a dream and getting a special opportunity to play. You’re still around your friends, and I think the team bond would take over.”
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
GAME BREAKDOWN
Players to watch
Air Force (3-2, 3-0 MWC): Quarterback Shaun Carney is getting his passing arm limbered up. His passes have accounted for three touchdowns in the past two games and more than 100 yards in each of them. Defensive backs Bobby Giannini, Julian Madrid, Chris Sutton and Chris Thomas have accounted for five interceptions. Air Force’s opponents have one.
San Diego State (0-5, 0-2): Freshman quarterback Kevin Craft has completed 23-of-40 passes for 223 yards in three games, but no touchdowns. He has been intercepted three times. Freshman running back Atiyyah Henderson leads the Aztecs’ running game with 289 yards, but hasn’t scored a touchdown.
Key stat
San Diego State’s passing game has scored one touchdown and allowed 10 interceptions.
Key for Air Force
It’s ball control. The more Carney and his offensive unit can keep the ball and score points, the less opportunity for the Aztecs to gain offensive consistency.
Key for San Diego State
The Aztecs have been outscored by 103 points, 164-61, in five games. The defense needs to stand up.
IRV MOSS
