Air Force Academy – Shaun Carney was poised and confident as he came off the practice field in one of Air Force’s final practices for Saturday’s season opener against visiting South Carolina State.
He still had the straightforward approach of four years ago when he came off the same practice field and looked ahead to a season of starting at quarterback for the Falcons. But this time, instead of being a little wide-eyed at the prospect of starting his first collegiate game against nationally ranked California, Carney had the look of a veteran who has played in 33 games, 31 as the starter.
“I think I’ve changed the most confident-wise and maturity-wise,” Carney said. “You learn what you have to do to be a better player and how you best can manage your time to do that. Over the past four years, it’s gotten easier. You adapt to the daily schedule, and by the time you’re in the fourth year, it becomes your everyday life.”
Carney’s everyday life is far from routine. During the past offseason, he soloed as a pilot of an Air Force training aircraft and is considering doing the necessary flying to get a pilot’s license when the football season is over. He also put himself through a cram course to learn coach Troy Calhoun’s new offense.
“Anytime you throw in completely revamped terminology – guys who go into the NFL will tell you the same thing – the hardest part is picking up what the words mean,” Carney said. “The coaches did a good job front-loading everything in the spring. We picked it up again this fall, and the last couple of weeks, we’ve all been mentally sharp.”
Calhoun has found Carney to be a good fit in his offense as a passer and runner.
“As a leader, he has very good command of what we’re doing,” Calhoun said.
The flying was an amazing experience.
“None of my other summers can compete with what I did this summer,” Carney said. “It was a thrill and very exciting, but I’ll take playing in front of 47,000 in Falcon Stadium any day of the week.”
Carney’s passion is football. He takes it personally that the Falcons haven’t had a winning season, won the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, competed for the Mountain West Conference title or been to a bowl game during his reign.
Going into his senior season, Carney accepts the challenge that usually places the number of wins and losses squarely on the quarterback.
“Players who play this position have to be mentally strong,” Carney said. “You get all the glory when you win and the criticism when you lose. That’s part of playing the position.”
At 5-feet-10, 190 pounds, he has had to make believers of others all his career. He has been told all his life that his height would keep him from playing QB in college. His handling of that as well as the criticism for the lack of victories the past three years provides a clue to his chances of putting his stamp on the final season.
“Talk is what makes the game of football so exciting,” Carney said. “If they hated us last year because we lost, they’ll be on the bandwagon this year if we win. What matters to me is what my teammates are saying on the field.”
Staff writer Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
The lowdown
AIR FORCE
Player to watch | LB Drew Fowler
Fowler is the main focus on a revamped defense that has to improve if the Falcons want to get back to their winning ways. Falcon defenders allowed an average of 25.2 points per game in 2006. Fowler led the Mountain West Conference in tackles with 123.
Key for the Falcons | Testing schemes
The Falcons are sporting new schemes on offense and defense. They have demonstrated a good grasp of the new schemes in their practices. However, only a game provides a true test.
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE
Player to watch | QB Cleveland McCoy
McCoy has been the Bulldogs’ starter the past three years. His passing makes the offense go, but he also is effective on the ground. He has accounted for 4,077 yards of total offense in three seasons.
Key for the Bulldogs | Playing at altitude
The Bulldogs, who practiced Thursday night in Colorado Springs, have heard a lot about the problems of coping with the elevation at Falcon Stadium. Their chances could be determined if playing in the thin air becomes a factor.
IRV MOSS
