Air Force Academy – Senior Jacobe Kendrick showed he was healthy again with a complete performance last week against San Diego State, and Air Force’s fullback game is better for it.
Kendrick, who had limited playing time in Air Force’s first five games because of a hamstring problem, was a bright spot in an otherwise dismal showing in the Falcons’ 19-12 loss. He ran for 92 yards on 19 carries and scored Air Force’s only touchdown. While his yardage was his best of the season, it was the 19 carries that were most pleasing.
“Last week was the best I have felt all season,” Kendrick said. “I think the results showed I’m back.”
Kendrick’s playing mentality fits the task of playing fullback in Air Force’s triple-option offense. He leads the charge whether carrying the ball or not, and he usually runs right into a big defensive lineman or an aggressive linebacker. But at 6-feet and 225 pounds, he has the strength to break tackles and gain yardage. Kendrick played fullback and halfback early in his career, but has been at fullback since early in his sophomore season.
“I like fullback better,” Kendrick said. “I definitely like getting the ball. I haven’t been blocking as well as I wanted to the last few games, but that’s partly because of missing practice time. I like fullback better because it’s a featured back along with the quarterback in our offense.”
AFA fullbacks coach Paul Hamilton likes Kendrick because of his big-play capabilities and drive to end his career on a high note.
“There were a couple of times against San Diego State that he was a step away from probably going the distance,” Hamilton said. “Jacobe realizes he’s going down the stretch now as far as his career and his attitude is that he wants to win. He’s playing hard and he’s running strong.”
Kendrick is playing at a position that is well stocked. Head coach Fisher DeBerry said going into the season Kendrick, Ryan Williams and Scott Peeples potentially were the best group he has had in 23 years.
Williams, 5-9, 215 pounds, carried most of the fullback load while Kendrick was recovering. He’s a little more the prototype of an Air Force fullback because he runs low to the ground and is more difficult to find behind the offensive line than Kendrick, who runs more straight up.
“I probably have more power running up the middle,” Kendrick said. “He (Williams) is a little shiftier. We’re just different type runners. I try to keep the pads as low as I can, but it’s easier to run in the open field when you raise up.”
Kendrick has a history of playing well against San Diego State. He rushed for a career- best 128 yards and a career-best four touchdowns last year against the Aztecs. In getting his 92 yards last week, Kendrick wasn’t held to minus yardage on any carries.
Now the Falcons face maybe their toughest Mountain West Conference game of the season, with league-leading BYU (5-2, 3-0) coming into Falcon Stadium for Saturday’s noon game.
“Our fullback game is going to be crucial as usual,” Kendrick said. “BYU plays the middle tough. We’re going to take what they give us. I’ve got goals, and getting 100 yards is among them in every game. But I don’t care about the yardage as long as we win.”
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
