Air Force Academy – Richard Bell talks matter-of-factly of past matchups against Heisman Trophy candidates Herschel Walker of Georgia, Earl Campbell of Texas and Dan Marino of Pittsburgh, but Air Force’s defensive coordinator says Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn is “unreal.”
Quinn’s passing numbers – four interceptions in 338 pass attempts and 25 touchdowns – cause sleepless nights for defensive coordinators and help explain why Notre Dame is 8-1, ranked ninth in the nation and Quinn is zeroing in on the Heisman Trophy.
“We’re probably not going to show him anything he hasn’t already seen,” Bell said about Saturday’s challenge against Quinn and the Irish at Falcon Stadium.
“He’s very poised under pressure. He has a strong arm, but he doesn’t try to force the ball, and he’s able to find secondary receivers. We’re fully aware of who he is and what he has accomplished.”
But Bell’s game plan won’t be focusing just on Quinn. Notre Dame can run the ball if it wants with Darius Walker, whom Bell considers as good as any running back the Falcons have faced this season.
Quinn credits his offensive line and the ability to spread the ball around to a number of receivers to the success. He has set a Notre Dame record of 204 consecutive passes without an interception.
“We have a good chance of converting no matter what play it is,” Quinn said. “The more experienced you are with an offense, you feel more comfortable and able to make good decisions.”
Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis credited the work of receivers Rhema McKnight, Jeff Samardzija, Walker and John Carlson.
“Brady is a good decision-maker, but he also has a couple of big wide receivers who he can trust to make the catch when the ball isn’t thrown perfectly,” Weis said.
Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry believes the best defensive game plan is a mix of pass rush and coverage that could keep Quinn guessing.
Said Navy coach Paul Johnson, who lost 38-14 to the Irish two weeks ago: “If you don’t keep some kind of pressure on him (Quinn), you can be in for a long afternoon.”
Bell says Quinn (6-foot-4, 224 pounds) would be in the top five to 10 players he’s faced in 43 years of coaching.
“He has all the tools to be considered for the Heisman Trophy,” Bell said. “It’s going to be very difficult for us to get him down. The size factor is something to consider and it makes him a good player for what will be in his future.”
Bell faced Walker and Marino while coaching at South Carolina and Campbell while he was at Texas Tech.
“Facing players like that makes it fun,” Bell said. “We didn’t beat them, but we played them tough.”
Staff writer Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
GAME BREAKDOWN
Players to watch
Notre Dame (8-1): Don’t overlook QB Brady Quinn or you might miss the next Heisman Trophy winner. He’s completing 63.9 percent of his passes. WR Rhema McKnight has caught 11 touchdown passes among his 52 receptions, and Jeff Samardzija leads the Irish in receiving yardage with 686 yards.
Air Force (4-4): LB Drew Fowler is the workhorse of the defensive unit with 74 tackles, 30 more than S Bobby Giannini. Both need big games against the Irish. QB Shaun Carney has thrown a combined 25 passes in the past four games. But the Falcons will win or lose on the strength of their rushing game.
Key stat
Air Force’s 58 percent conversion success on third downs is a pressure point.
Key for Notre Dame
If the Irish just play their game, it could be too much for the Falcons.
Key for Air Force
A plus side of the turnover margin has been a key for the Falcons. They’ll need some help against the Irish.
IRV MOSS
