AIR FORCE ACADEMY — There was a mixture of rookie excitement and veteran calmness Tuesday for Air Force senior fullback Jared Tew as he discussed returning for the Dec. 27 Independence Bowl against Georgia Tech.
Once the heart of Air Force’s running game, Tew missed the last five games of the regular season after breaking the fibula in his right leg.
But as the Falcons entered their final two days of practice Tuesday at the academy, Tew was able to entertain the idea of playing one last time. It’s exciting for him because it means his college career won’t end because of the injury Oct. 16 against San Diego State.
“It isn’t the way to go out in your senior year, but I’m lucky to get one more chance to play in another game,” Tew said. “I’m confident I’ll be able to play. I don’t how much I’ll play, but I’ll be in full pads and on the field.
“It has been rough watching, but you can’t change what happened. When things happen that don’t go your way, you have to stay positive.”
Coach Troy Calhoun preferred to stay a little cautious in his estimation of where Tew stands in terms of playing against Georgia Tech.
“He’s going to be able to practice,” Calhoun said, “but can he practice in a way that convinces us that he’s ready to play?
“We have to see that he can generate some thrust from the feet up and he’s ready in terms of ball security.”
Said running backs coach Jemal Singleton: “I’m excited for him more than anything. He had his senior year cut short, and now he has a reprieve and a chance to play in a bowl game. . . . We don’t know if by game time he’ll be ready to play. If he can go, he’ll go.”
Before this year, Tew had played in 23 games and rushed for 1,298 yards and 13 touchdowns in two seasons. Last year he was 30 yards shy of the 1,000-yard mark. Even though he played in just seven games this season, Tew is the Falcons’ third-best rusher with 540 yards and three touchdowns.
Tew turned his attention to helping senior Nathan Walker fill in the fullback spot.
“I’d go to the bench where the running backs were sitting and we’d talk after just about every series,” Tew said. “Two perspectives can be better than one.”
Tew’s journey from being injured to his chance to play in another game wasn’t easy. Tew said he has been able to lift weights and said he feels like he’s “still in good shape.”
During the recovery, Tew and teammate Kevin Fogler boosted each other’s spirits.
Fogler, a senior receiver, missed most of the season because of a knee injury.
“I was upset the first couple of days after it happened,” Tew said. “We talked about not moping around. I decided to stop being negative and to help the team the best I could. I was itching to play, but football is the biggest team sport there is. One player isn’t going to change the outcome.”
More honors for Rembert.
Falcons senior cornerback Reggie Rembert is the inaugural NFL Players Association military academy player of the year. He will be honored at the Feb. 5 NFLPA game in San Antonio.
“All the awards mean a lot to me,” Rembert said Tuesday. “Being considered the best player at any of the service academies is a big compliment to me. The fact that people think of me that way means a lot to me. There are some great players at the service academies and I’m honored. I couldn’t ask for any better way to go out.”
Also Tuesday, Rembert was named to The Associated Press All-America third team.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
