Air Force Academy — Air Force coach Troy Calhoun watched 104 center snaps in Saturday’s practice at Falcon Stadium, with some good and bad results.
“I loved the quality of work. We did some good things on both sides of the ball,” Calhoun said. “But I didn’t think our defense came out on fire early, and our first team offense put the ball on the ground at one point. Those are things that absolutely have to get fixed.”
Calhoun will put his team through a game-like practice next Saturday in preparation for the Sept. 1 opener against South Carolina State. It sounded as if anyone expecting to play in the opener had better be on the practice field this week.
“If you come back Aug. 25, I think you have a chance to be ready by the middle of October,” Calhoun said. “We have to find the players we can count on. I want players who are as solid as a dollar.”
Starting free safety Chris Thomas and Jim Ollis, a candidate at tailback, are expected back on the practice field this week after suffering knee and ankle injuries, respectively. Thomas has missed a week of practice, while Ollis was injured on the first day of preseason practice.
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
