AIR FORCE ACADEMY — The first question to ask Air Force linebacker John Falgout is whether he might try to go too fast to make up for lost time.
Falgout’s performance last week against Navy is reason to question his patience. His 13 tackles led the Falcons defense, maybe not that unusual for an inside linebacker. But for the senior, 13 tackles are more than double his five career tackles coming into this season.
His playing time against the Midshipmen — after AFA starter Ken Lamendola left the game with a season-ending knee injury — was Falgout’s first stint of any length.
“I’m trying to act as if I’m playing out the season and as if I’ve been in there the whole time,” said Falgout, who is tied for second on the team with 27 tackles (11 solo). “It’s unfortunate that I don’t have the chance of playing a whole season, but I’ve been given the opportunity to finish up this season.”
Falgout enters right in the middle of some crucial games for the Falcons (3-2) and their hopes of winning the Mountain West title, posting a third consecutive winning season and reaching a third bowl game in a row. The run begins Saturday against No. 10 TCU (4-0) at Falcon Stadium.
Even with the loss of Lamendola, who was the team’s leading tackler last season, coach Troy Calhoun doesn’t anticipate changes in his team’s defense.
“You never want to see a player get an opportunity this way, but what you are, you’re glad he gets to play college football as a senior,” Calhoun said of Falgout. “He’s really what you want as a player. He’s physical at the point of attack, and he loves throwing his face right into the fan. You see it in his eyes.”
Calhoun didn’t think Falgout was playing to make up for lost time against the Midshipmen, but he expects Falgout to be involved in a different game against the Horned Frogs.
Air Force hasn’t had much success in recent years against teams ranked in the top 10 — losing 44-3 to No. 3 Oklahoma in 2001 and 44-14 to No. 10 Notre Dame in 1995. However, Air Force beat No. 9 Notre Dame 20-17 in overtime in 1996. There’s history between Air Force and TCU. They played to a 0-0 tie in the 1959 Cotton Bowl. The Falcons won 20-17 in overtime in 2007, but the Horned Frogs handed Air Force its only loss in 1998, a 35-34 decision.
“This week, we’re facing a team that is able to run dead straight ahead,” Calhoun said, “and also makes you defend all those yards sideline to sideline.”
The big game against Navy was an icebreaker for the 6-foot, 225-pound Falgout.
“I was confident I could do the job,” he said. “Being able to make an impact was nice.”
After sitting out most of his sophomore season for academy disciplinary reasons, Falgout had been biding his time as a backup at linebacker and playing on special teams.
“I worked for years to get this opportunity, and I’m ready to jump right in there and do what I have to do to help this team,” Falgout said. “I’m not striving to be all-conference or anything like that. My priority is to do what I can to help this team win.”
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
Three questions for AFA
1. One of Coach Troy Calhoun’s criteria in measuring an offensive performance is first downs. Can the Falcons keep the edge against TCU? So far, Air Force has a 97-57 advantage over opponents in first downs, but TCU’s defense ranks first in the nation at stopping the rush.
2. Air Force tailbacks Asher Clark and Savier Stephens have almost identical statistics, but will one break out against TCU? Last year against the Horned Frogs, Clark (277 yards, 49 carries this season) broke free for a 54-yard score, but he had just 11 yards on his 13 other carries. Stephens (267 yards, 49 carries) had just one carry against TCU last year.
3. Will the Falcons go 3-0 in conference play by beating TCU? In coach Calhoun’s first two seasons, Air Force has started the conference season 2-1 each time.
