AIR FORCE ACADEMY — Anyone around the Air Force football program will tell you Reggie Rembert is made of the right stuff.
Their opinion of the cornerback wouldn’t even be based on his playing in every game two years ago as a freshman or starting every game last year. His achievements on the football field only tell part of the story.
To know Rembert, consider that he faced up to a mistake that got him suspended as a cadet in April and worked his way back into good standing. After breaking unspecified academy rules, Rembert faced restrictions that tested his desire to stay a cadet.
“I could have left whenever I wanted to, up to the point of walking on campus this fall,” Rembert said, when asked if he thought of leaving. “I had the whole spring to leave. Anyone who says they haven’t considered leaving under normal circumstances is lying.”
While on suspension, Rembert was allowed to practice in preseason camp this fall. But he was barred from playing in the Falcons’ first two games. He watched the first game from the stands in Falcon Stadium and watched the game at Minnesota on television.
Rembert (5-feet-8, 185 pounds) played Saturday at New Mexico and made an immediate contribution with a 30-yard punt return and a 60-yard kickoff return. The kickoff return setup an Air Force touchdown and a 27-6 lead early in the third quarter.
Rembert’s loyalty to his goal of graduating from Air Force didn’t go unnoticed by his coaches or teammates.
“The strength he has is right inside here,” coach Troy Calhoun said, pointing to his heart. “I’ve never seen brains win a football game. There’s something pumping inside here that makes a player go.”
Tight end Sean Quintana said teammates appreciated Rembert working to get back.
“It means a lot that he stayed, because he could have gone someplace else and played,” Quintana said. “He’s that good of a player.”
Last season, Rembert led the Falcons with three interceptions. He also forced two fumbles and was fourth on the team with 66 tackles. He ranked third in the league, and 18th nationally, in punt returns at 12.8 yards.
Reggie’s father, Reginald Rembert, wasn’t surprised his son stayed at the academy.
“I know he wouldn’t want to go through it again,” Reginald Rembert said, “but he grew and matured a lot.”
Reggie Rembert said he was a little rusty last week at New Mexico but happy to be on the field. At a time his classmates were starting their junior year, at a time when life at the academy becomes less rigid, Rembert was stuck.
“I couldn’t leave the cadet area, or wear civilian clothes while school was in session,” he said. “I got to do my summer assignments and go on leave.”
Otherwise, Rembert was restricted.
“It’s nice to be done with it, put it behind me,” Rembert said. “I’ve grown as a leader, and I understand more that it’s a privilege to play Division I football, here or anywhere else.”
He vows to make the most of it over the next two seasons.
“I can’t party now,” Rembert said, “but I’ll party when I graduate, that’s for sure.”
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
Three questions for AFA
1. Will an Air Force back rush for 100 yards, and if so will it lead to a 13th victory in coach Troy Calhoun’s tenure when he has a 100-yard rusher? The Falcons are 12-3 under Calhoun in games when they have a player rush for 100 yards or more. The Aztecs are giving up 135 yards rushing per game this season (66th nationally) and 28.6 points a game (90th).
2. It seems Air Force’s secondary always is under scrutiny, but will it be able to keep San Diego State’s Vincent Brown in check? Brown already has 24 catches for 424 yards (second nationally) and a touchdown catch in all three games. It’s the first time in his career he has caught TD passes in consecutive games, so watch for him to continue to be the offensive spark.
3. Will Falcons starting quarterback Tim Jefferson (right ankle sprain) get the call after being injured in the first quarter last week against New Mexico? Calhoun said it’s possible that Jefferson could play against the Aztecs. At the start of the week, Calhoun said it “could depend a lot on his pain threshold.” If not, Connor Dietz will return, and if so, the offense likely would have more of an option feel to it.
