Shaun Carney finally gets a chance to add his own story to those he has heard so many times about Air Force’s bowl game conquests.
The Air Force senior quarterback, a four-year starter, welcomed the news Monday that the Falcons accepted an invitation to play in the Armed Forces Bowl, a Dec. 31 game in Fort Worth, Texas. Air Force players got the news as they returned to the academy from Thanksgiving break.
Armed Forces Bowl executive director Tom Starr issued an official invitation to Air Force in a conference call with AFA coach Troy Calhoun and athletic director Hans Mueh.
“We graciously accept on behalf of the academy, the Air Force and this great football team,” Mueh said.
Calhoun said the players, the cadet wing and Air Force’s fans “will make you big-time proud to have us among the Fort Worth community.”
Carney said he has listened to stories of Air Force’s bowl victories over high-profile teams such as Texas, Ohio State and Virginia Tech, but he wasn’t sure he would get a chance of his own. Coming off three consecutive losing seasons, the Falcons are 9-3 in Calhoun’s first year as their coach.
“Getting there is the first step,” Carney said of playing in a bowl game. “Now we definitely want to come out with a victory.”
Air Force’s opponent hasn’t been determined, but it could come from a group of teams that includes Arizona, California and UCLA of the Pac-10 as well as Purdue and Indiana of the Big Ten.
Starr and his selection committee decided to invite Air Force after the Falcons’ 55-23 rout of San Diego State at Falcon Stadium on Nov. 17. However, the invitation was placed on hold until the Mountain West Conference and its bowl affiliates in Las Vegas and San Diego made their choices. The Las Vegas Bowl released Air Force from consideration Monday morning, allowing Starr to issue an invitation.
Air Force was not in the running to play in the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego because Navy is one of its teams and its policy is to not stage rematches. The Midshipmen defeated Air Force 31-20 in Annapolis, Md., on Sept. 29.
For Calhoun, it could be an expensive bowl trip. He promised the cadet wing that if the Falcons received a bowl invitation, he would buy the first 200 tickets. The ticket price is $40.
“This is a wonderful way to cap our season,” Calhoun said. “We know we’re going to play a very talented team. It gives us one last opportunity to find out what this team really has.”
Calhoun said it was a credit to his players, especially the seniors, for bringing Air Force’s program back in one season.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
