SHREVEPORT, La. — After Air Force’s second practice here Friday, coach Troy Calhoun had seen enough to upgrade the chances of three injured players being able to play Monday against Georgia Tech in the Independence Bowl.
Fullback Jared Tew, safety Brian Lindsay and defensive lineman Bradley Connor all practiced and performed well enough to allow Calhoun to think they will play at least some.
“We’ll see how they come out of today’s practice, but I think all three of them could see some action,” Calhoun said after practice at Loyola Prep School Stadium. “We’re encouraged the way they came out of yesterday’s practice.”
Lindsay and Connor could be key additions to an Air Force defense that will face the strong running attack of Georgia Tech.
“He has made some good strides in terms of being able to mix it up physically,” Calhoun said of Lindsay, who is working his way back from a broken collarbone.
The question between Zach Bell and Erik Soderberg for kicking duties remained unanswered. Bell took over in the last two games of the regular season after Soderberg struggled on some long field-goal attempts.
Calhoun said the two could divide the kicking responsibilities against the Yellow Jackets.
The Falcons complete their bowl game practices today.
Ticket count. Academy officials said more than 9,000 of the original ticket allotment of 11,500 have been sold. Some of the purchased tickets have been donated to military personnel in the area.
“Anytime you double the size of your school in ticket sales, that’s pretty remarkable,” Calhoun said. “But it doesn’t mean we have to put the brakes on. If you have a great school, and we do, the alumni ought to be coming out of the leaves to support their academy.”
