AIR FORCE ACADEMY — Coach Troy Calhoun isn’t planning to hold any of Air Force’s players who are nursing injuries out of the Sept. 4 season opener against Northwestern State at Falcon Stadium.
The Air Force injured list includes cornerback Anthony Wright, the team’s leader in interceptions last year with seven. He is recovering from bruised ribs. The Falcons open the Mountain West Conference season Sept. 11 at home against BYU.
“No way, not a chance,” Calhoun said when asked if he would allow an extra week of recovery time. “We have to get every piece of ammunition we have into the first game.”
The only player Calhoun was ready to rule out of the opener was linebacker Ken Lamendola, who has not practiced this season because of a knee injury.
“We’ll see where we are with about four other players early next week,” Calhoun said.
Calhoun said he wouldn’t rule out any of the four, including Wright, at this time.
The coach canceled Thursday’s practice, giving his players what he called “an academic day.”
He noted it was an opportune time for a day off before beginning the rigors of the weekly regular-season schedule that begins Monday.
“We’re a little bit ahead in terms of our game-planning for the first game,” Calhoun said. “We’re about at the four-week point academically for the semester. Since Aug. 1, we’ve been at it all but three days. I thought today was a good time for our players to take advantage of some extra tutoring for their classroom work.”
The Falcons resume practice today and have their final scrimmage Saturday. Saturday’s practice is closed to the public.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
