AIR FORCE ACADEMY — Officials at Notre Dame and Air Force are working out final details on a two-year, home-and-home contract, with the rivalry resuming next season in South Bend, Ind.
Jim Trego, the academy’s senior associate athletic director, said Tuesday that next season’s game probably would be on Oct. 8. He also said discussions are underway for a second two-game contract that would include a game at a neutral site, possibly Invesco Field at Mile High.
“We’re going to make it happen,” Trego said. “I just spoke with them again (Tuesday). We’re working out details as to what officials to use and to nail down dates. But we’re both determined that we’re going to play next year.”
After the game in 2011, Trego said the teams probably won’t play in 2012 but would play in Falcon Stadium in 2013.
“That’s where we are right now,” Trego said. “There still are some details that have to be cleared, but we’re going to work those out.”
Trego said Notre Dame officials have expressed interest in a second two-game set.
“One of the games would be played in South Bend, and the other would be at a neutral site,” Trego said of the second series. “Denver would be a possibility and is at the top of our list. The neutral-site game could be either the third or the fourth game of the series.”
This season, Air Force played nonconference games against Northwestern State and Oklahoma. Notre Dame would fill the place of a big- name, nonconference opponent on the schedule.
Notre Dame and Air Force last played in 2007, with the Falcons winning 41-24 in South Bend. Notre Dame last played in Falcon Stadium in 2006, with the Irish winning 39-17 behind Brady Quinn at quarterback.
Footnotes.
With senior receiver Kevin Fogler (right knee sprain) sidelined until at least November, junior Jack Kauth and sophomore Mikel Hunter have moved into prominence as targets for quarterback Tim Jefferson. Kauth leads the team in catches with six for 79 yards. Hunter has four catches for 37 yards and a touchdown. . . . Air Force officials said groundbreaking on a new indoor sports facility will be Friday at 3:30 p.m. The facility, which will be called the Holaday Athletic Center, will be located north of the existing field house. Bart and Lynn Holaday, both academy grads, provided a $5 million gift for the privately funded facility.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
