Air Force Academy – Air Force coach Troy Calhoun put out the word Monday that his football team had to pick up the pace offensively, defensively and on special teams.
“We need to play faster,” Calhoun said. “We have to play faster and more aggressively. There were parts in the game where we did, but not throughout. This Saturday we won’t have a choice.”
Calhoun thought back to Saturday’s 34-3 victory over South Carolina State, but also looked ahead to his 1-0 team’s Mountain West Conference opener Saturday at Utah (0-1).
“The more disciplined you are, the faster you play,” Calhoun said. “The more you know what to do, the faster you play. We have to make strides across the board. I think every single player should play better this Saturday.”
Calhoun made one change in his starting lineup, with sophomore Chris Campbell and senior Chris Monson exchanging places at right tackle. Campbell regained a place on the starting unit. He had been the starter at left tackle during the early part of preseason practices but lost out because of an injury.
Campbell, a 6-foot-3, 270-pounder, gives the Falcons more heft on the offensive line. Monson (6-4, 255) was the lightest member of the line that started the season opener against South Carolina State.
“We’ll still rotate at tackle, and it might be something that occurs each week,” Calhoun said. “But I thought Keith Williams and Chris Campbell played the best.”
Calhoun also put sophomore Ste- phen Larson behind junior starter Jared Marvin at nose guard. Sophomore Ryan Gonzales had been the backup in the middle of the Falcons’ defensive line.
“Larson was very active,” Calhoun said. “He’s one of these guys where I think the light is starting to come on a little bit. He’s an old wrestler and he understands body position and leverage.”
Air Force tailback Kip McCarthy, who rushed for 129 yards on 22 carries against South Carolina State, didn’t practice Monday because of knee soreness. But Calhoun expects him back on the field today.
Jim Ollis, a senior tailback, was on the practice field throughout, and Calhoun expects him to play against the Utes in Salt Lake City. Ollis has been idled because of an ankle injury.
Calhoun said senior offensive tackle Dan Holder (knee) and senior tailback Chad Smith (knee) probably still are three or four weeks from returning.
Staff writer Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
