AIR FORCE ACADEMY — Air Force sophomore quarterback Tim Jefferson still is smarting a little physically and mentally from a 38-21 loss to Brigham Young in the Falcons’ regular-season finale Nov. 21.
However, after Sunday’s practice sessions, Jefferson believes he and the Falcons (7-5) will be up to the challenge when they play Houston (10-3). The Falcons have 17 days to sharpen their skills before playing the 25th-ranked Cougars in the Armed Forces Bowl on Dec. 31 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Any discussions of the Cougars begin with quarterback Case Keenum and his startling passing statistics that include touchdown passes in 29 consecutive games. He has thrown for 5,449 yards and 43 TDs this year.
“Maybe it will turn into a scoring race, but if our defense comes to play, which I expect it will, I don’t think it will be as high scoring as people might think,” Jefferson said. “If we put the ball in the end zone, we’ll have a good chance to win the game because our defense is going to be pretty stout in holding their own against their passing offense.”
Jefferson, who suffered through a season of injuries, said he is close to 100 percent physically. He suffered a lower back injury early in the BYU game in Provo, Utah, and played little after that.
“It was tough losing to BYU because we knew the bowl implications,” Jefferson said. “But at the same time, we wanted to go out and beat one of our conference rivals. We didn’t play well all around.”
Although BYU and Houston throw the ball a lot, Jefferson and Falcons coach Troy Calhoun contended those teams aren’t all that similar in terms of how they attack.
“Houston relies much more on being a pure spread-offense football team,” Calhoun said. “They have a few more ball-control routes, at least balls that are caught 5 yards or less. They’ll utilize a few more screens, in general, to their back.”
Added Jefferson: “I think Houston might have a few better athletes (than BYU), but our offense is designed for ball control. We can score points as well.”
Jefferson has spotted some rust, especially on the offensive side, as the Falcons resumed practice over the weekend. But he expects the Falcons to be ready by game time. Air Force practices today, Tuesday and Wednesday before breaking for the Christmas holiday. The Falcons will reassemble Dec. 26 in Fort Worth.
“The thing that is challenging to simulate in practice is how quickly they get down the field with their pass receivers,” Calhoun said of the Cougars. “The other part is being able to rush against the mass they have up front.”
Injury report.
Sophomore quarterback Connor Dietz and junior receiver Kyle Halderman haven’t been ruled out of the bowl game, but Calhoun said both have to practice this week and when the Falcons resume practices in Fort Worth. Both players did some running Sunday. Dietz is recovering from a broken bone in his right hand, and Halderman is recovering from a knee injury that didn’t require surgery.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
