Air Force Academy – Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry insisted after Saturday’s 33-14 loss to BYU that his team’s offensive and defensive strategies aren’t to blame for the Falcons’ defeats in three of their past four games.
“The bottom line, there wasn’t anything wrong with our scheme,” DeBerry said. “We used the same scheme a few years ago when Jim McMahon was there and we frustrated him. We frustrated Beck (BYU senior quarterback John Beck) a few times, too.”
Air Force’s only game against McMahon was in 1981, when BYU won 45-21. The Falcons beat the Cougars the next year 39-38 in Provo, Utah.
But there are indications Air Force’s football machine isn’t purring as it did when it won two of its first three games and three of its first five.
Air Force accumulated its lowest total offense of the season against BYU, 229 yards – 190 yards rushing and 39 passing.
“I don’t think so,” DeBerry said when asked if opposing defenses are clamping down on Air Force’s triple-option offense. “I don’t know how you evaluate your offense when you don’t have possessions.”
For the second straight game, Air Force’s defense didn’t force a turnover or register a sack.
San Diego State’s 19-12 victory was the Falcons’ most shocking defeat in their skid. A week after beating Air Force for their first win of the season, the Aztecs lost 16-14 on Saturday to Division I-AA Cal Poly.
Before losing to San Diego State, Air Force staged a dramatic second-half comeback to beat Colorado State 24-21. However, the Falcons lost 24-17 the week before to Navy.
Air Force (3-4) needs three victories in its final five games to become eligible for a bowl. Up next is Army on Friday night in West Point, N.Y.
Junior quarterback Shaun Carney called the rivalry game against the Black Knights (3-6) a big opportunity for the Falcons.
“It’s not about hyping games anymore,” Carney said. “It’s about playing football as we know how.”
It will be the second game in the round-robin series for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, with Navy in the driver’s seat. After facing the Falcons, Army plays Navy on Dec. 2.
EYE ON … The Black Knights
AIR FORCE AT ARMY, 6 p.m., Friday, ESPN2
For the record: Army is 3-6.
Streaking: Senior kicker Austin Miller has made seven field goals in a row and all 23 of his extra points.
Who’s hot: Freshman quarterback Carson Williams threw for 194 yards and three touchdowns in his first collegiate start, a 42-28 loss Saturday at Tulane.
Who’s not: In the Tulane game,
Army’s defense gave up 409 yards passing, 586 total yards and 35 first downs.
Key stat: Turnovers have plagued the Black Knights all season. They are minus-11 in turnover margin. Army has committed 26 turnovers (16 interceptions, 10 fumbles).
FYI: Army has defeated Air Force once in the past nine meetings. The Falcons have won four straight at Michie Stadium.
Coachspeak: “Carson Williams had some jitters early, but I was pleased with what he did overall. We weren’t playing with any intensity on defense against Tulane, and I was very disappointed in that part of the game.” – Army coach Bobby Ross, after Saturday’s game
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
