Any bewilderment left over from Saturday night’s 38-7 shellacking by Texas Christian was gone Sunday when Air Force coach Troy Calhoun formed his game plan for this week’s home game against eighth-ranked Utah.
After the No. 4-ranked Horned Frogs piled up 562 total yards, scored 31 unanswered points after an early 7-7 tie and held the Falcons to a season-low 184 yards rushing, junior quarterback Tim Jefferson expressed the frustration.
“I don’t know how we’re going to do it, but we have to find a way,” Jefferson said when asked how the Falcons would bounce back.
Air Force will be trying to end a two-game losing streak against another top-10 team when red-hot Utah comes to Falcon Stadium.
“I’ll tell you exactly what we’re going to do,” Calhoun said. “We’re aware that they are a very good team, but we’re going to go out and practice (today) and go to work.”
But there were some things about TCU’s victory that may be hard to forget.
Horned Frogs running back Ed Wesley galloped for 209 yards and two touchdowns on the ground against an Air Force defense that appeared almost helpless at times.
Adding to the frustration, TCU quarterback Andy Dalton dazzled the Falcons with 185 yards and a touchdown passing and 93 yards and a touchdown rushing.
“There were segments of the game where I thought we hung in there pretty well,” Calhoun said. “But their running speed was an evident factor at times, and it’s disappointing anytime you lose a game.”
It was a long drop in image for the Falcons, who were ranked 23rd nationally just two weeks ago when they were 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the Mountain West Conference.
Calhoun isn’t predicting an easier assignment this week.
“I think this year’s Utah team is better than two years ago when they were 13-0 and should have been national champions,” Calhoun said. “Defensively, Utah ranks in the top 10 in almost every category. And its quarterback (sophomore Jordan Wynn) has completed almost 70 percent of his passes.”
Calhoun noted his team returns to Falcon Stadium after two weeks on the road. He thinks his team is ready for a boost from the home crowd.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
