AIR FORCE ACADEMY — Personal experience tells Tim Jefferson and Connor Dietz that it takes more than one quarterback to get Air Force through a football season.
Running the triple-option offense can lead to injuries. Both players were sidelined as sophomores last season because of injuries as they took turns in the starting role. And Dietz missed most of his freshman season because of an injury.
They also know from experience that coach Troy Calhoun prefers a single starting quarterback, with a backup for emergency use.
Jefferson won the battle last season and hasn’t done anything this August to lose the job.
“They have to improve in the passing game and in the option game,” quarterbacks coach Blane Morgan said. “There’s always something to tweak.”
Jefferson sees a team that has some holes to fill on both lines, but he likes the potential.
“It’s going to be a good season, because I see unity on the team,” Jefferson said. “We support each other. It’s hard to judge myself. I feel as if I’m making the right reads and I have a solid taste for the offense. We’re both competitive people trying to earn playing time on the field.”
Jefferson has played in 20 games and compiled 2,144 yards of total offense, with seven rushing touchdowns and 10 passing touchdowns. Dietz, who has played in seven games, has 566 total yards, with one rushing touchdown and one passing TD.
“There are a lot of players on this team who have played in big games, and we know we can compete with anybody,” Dietz said. “T.J. and I don’t look at it as competition. We try to help each other out. One guy is good, but two guys are better.”
From experience, they know Calhoun will probably wait until close to the season opener Sept. 4 against Northwestern State to name a starter.
“I don’t think it’s ideal to split reps, but it’s possible,” Calhoun said.
Footnotes.
Air Force senior defensive back Reggie Rembert was named to the watch list for the inaugural Paul Hornung Award, which will be given to the most versatile player in Division I. Rembert was a first-team all-MWC cornerback last season and has returned kickoffs and punts the last three seasons. He’s the Falcons all-time leader in kickoff returns (65) and kickoff return yardage (1,388). . . . Defensive back Anthony Wright is on two watch lists: the Bronko Nagurski Award and the Ronnie Lott Award. . . . Senior receiver Kevin Fogler, who caught 25 passes and scored five touchdowns a year ago, was held out of practice with a knee injury. He should be ready for the season opener.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
