AIR FORCE ACADEMY — Brian Lindsay even talks with a chip on his shoulder.
Knowing that, it is easy to imagine what the Air Force sophomore strong safety is like on the field.
Coach Troy Calhoun has a good read from watching Lindsay’s performance over the first five games. He believes Lindsay is playing the right position.
“His attitude fits the safety position, and probably the linebacker position as well,” Calhoun said. “He has plenty of hard-nosed play in him.”
Lindsay, who hails from Chicago, is a newcomer in Air Force’s talented secondary. At 6-feet-1, 210 pounds, he’s bigger than cornerbacks Anthony Wright and Reggie Rembert and free safety Jon Davis.
He has thrown his weight around enough to rank fifth on Air Force’s tackle charts with 24. He’s also had three pass breakups.
“It’s fun to run up and smash someone,” Lindsay said. “A big hit sets the tone for the rest of the game.”
In Air Force’s case, the tone for the rest of the game has had a good ending. The Falcons have outscored their opponents 54-0 in the fourth quarter, 158-82 overall.
“We keep playing until the other team doesn’t want to play anymore,” Lindsay said. “Our conditioning has a lot to do with it. We also see a lot of reps in practice of everything we’re going to see on the weekend.”
Lindsay’s task this week is to thwart Colorado State quarterback Pete Thomas, whom Calhoun calls one of the best freshman quarterbacks in the country and a cinch to gain freshman of the year honors in the Mountain West Conference.
“He has great arm strength,” Calhoun said. “He had a sensational game two weeks ago against Idaho, and he completed a bunch of passes last week against a good TCU defense.”
Lindsay has been playing nickelback and strong safety in his first year. Because he blitzes, he has his turn against the offensive linemen.
Secondary coach Charlton Warren said the next step in Lindsay’s development is getting the game slowed down mentally.
“We all play fast,” Lindsay said. “I’ve been attacked before. It’s standing up to it, I guess.”
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
