AIR FORCE ACADEMY — The inevitable happened Saturday when Air Force receiver Kyle Halderman took a reverse from quarterback Shea Smith, turned up field and raced 48 yards for a touchdown.
The thought that popped into the minds of many watching was Halderman looked just like Chad Hall executing the play.
“Chad had a few of those type of runs a year ago, and it did bring back memories of that,” receivers coach Mike Thiessen said this week in practice as the Falcons prepare to play Saturday at Wyoming. “Kyle seemed to pick up right where Chad left off. But Kyle has to be Kyle.”
But that’s not necessarily such an easy task for the sophomore. Hall presents the toughest act to follow from last season, when he was considered one of the most exciting players in years along the Front Range and was named the Mountain West Conference’s offensive player of the year.
Hall led the Falcons in rushing with 1,478 yards and receiving with 524 yards and set an Air Force record in all-purpose yardage with 2,683, which includes his kickoff and punt returns.
After Halderman’s first collegiate start and long touchdown run against Southern Utah, he handled the inevitable well. He pointed out he didn’t think he could replace Hall and he was on his way to building his own legacy.
“There’s always pressure to make plays at that position,” Halderman said. “I try not to pressure myself to try to be everything he was. (Hall) taught me a lot when I was freshman last year, and I’d like to be able to make plays like he did.
“He scored on that same play quite a few times last year, but we’re two different people.”
Halderman moved into the role after senior Ty Paffett, Hall’s backup last season, had back surgeries in the offseason and continues to recover.
Halderman came to Air Force from what many consider football country. His background includes stops in Oklahoma and Texas, coming north to Colorado Springs from Cinco Ranch High School in Katy, Texas.
However, in high school his top sport was basketball and he lettered only one year in football. An injury as a freshman kept him out of football until his senior year.
“I concentrated on basketball but needed something else, so I tried football again when I was senior,” Halderman said. “It went well, and I’m glad I came back to football.
“I’m not looking for the NFL. I just want to get a good degree, and I had the best opportunity to do that here and still play football.”
But as a sophomore, Halderman’s football legacy is far from complete. While he gave indications he might resemble Hall as a runner, Halderman did not catch a pass in his first collegiate start as the Falcons’ Z-receiver.
“In high school, I was used to being faster than other people,” Halderman said. “But college football is a lot different. You have to know your opponent and how to sell a fake.”
Off the field, Halderman might not be confused with Hall. At 5-feet-11, he’s 3 inches taller than his counterpart.
And while Hall was an extrovert, Halderman might be considered a little bit on the other side of the scale.
“They each have their own personalities,” Smith said. “Chad’s probably a little more vocal. No doubt about it, Kyle has the toughest act to follow. Chad a great season last year.”
Thiessen is sympathetic to Halderman’s dilemma. He was Air Force’s quarterback in 1999-2000, following in the footsteps of brothers Beau and Blane Morgan. Blane Morgan’s teams went 22-4 during the 1997-98 seasons.
“I was able to build my own legacy by just being me,” Thiessen said. “I think Kyle can do the same thing by just being Kyle.”
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
The Lowdown
By Irv Moss, The Denver Post
AIR FORCE (1-0)
Player to watch: TB Kyle Lumpkin.
With the past three games in the series decided by a touchdown or less, the play of sophomore Lumpkin could be a factor in keeping the chains moving and the Falcons in control of the clock. Lumpkin gained 77 yards on 19 carries Saturday against Southern Utah in his first start.
Key for the Falcons: Defensive quickness.
Air Force’s defense must use its quickness to offset Wyoming’s size advantage on the offensive line, which averages 6-foot-5 and 304 pounds. Long, time-consuming drives could shoot down the Falcons.
WYOMING (1-0)
Player to watch: RB Devin Moore.
Moore, a senior, could control the clock behind the Cowboys’ offensive line. It’s his fourth game against the Falcons, and he has averaged 4.7 yards a carry against them but has not found the end zone. He had 82 yards and a touchdown on 25 attempts in last week’s opener against Ohio.
Key for the Cowboys: Hold on to the ball.
Last year, the Cowboys had five turnovers against Air Force and lost 20-12; one fumble was returned 85 yards for a 14-9 AFA lead. It’s obvious where the Cowboys have to improve.
