After a bad day at work, it’s always nice to have some time off.
Today will be the first Monday in more than three months Air Force coach Troy Calhoun and his players won’t be on the practice field. It may be for the best, after the Falcons were shellacked 38-21 by BYU on Saturday.
With the Falcons committing four turnovers, three resulting in BYU touchdowns, Air Force played possibly its worst game of the season. It also ended the regular season with the Falcons finishing 7-5 and awaiting an official bowl invitation. They probably are heading to Fort Worth, Texas, to play in the Dec. 31 Armed Forces Bowl.
“Twelve straight weeks has been a long season,” outside linebacker Andre Morris said. “To get home and see the family and let the body rest up is good timing.”
Air Force players will be off after Tuesday for the Thanksgiving holiday. Calhoun plans to bring them back together a week from Friday to begin preparations for a bowl game.
Their memories of the season’s finale won’t be pleasant. BYU quarterback Max Hall had a field day, completing 33 passes for 377 yards and five touchdowns.
When things are going good, Hall can become animated as he plays.
“He fires his team up,” Morris said. “That’s what a leader is supposed to do.”
On the other side, the Falcons played without starter Tim Jefferson (bruised ribs) for most of the last three quarters. Junior Ben Cochran (5-for-18, 88 yards, 1 TD) came on for his first collegiate action against the 19th-ranked team in the country.
When asked if the Falcons can get to BYU’s level, Calhoun said: “We have a good foundation in place, and it can be done. You have to be great in the way you play. That’s the way we have to operate every single day to have a shot, and we do have a shot.”
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
