On paper, the outlook for Air Force could be the team that Troy Calhoun has been waiting for as he looks ahead to his fifth season as coach of the Falcons.
With quarterback Tim Jefferson maturing as the general in Calhoun’s multiple offense, 18 starters returning for what should be a junior- and senior-dominated lineup, and a 14-7 victory over Georgia Tech in the Independence Bowl that capped a 9-4 season, the football future at Air Force would seem to be bright.
It may be, but Calhoun isn’t taking anything for granted.
“We had a heck of a year,” Calhoun said Wednesday. “But here at Air Force, you take things day to day. Our players have a lot of tough hurdles to climb away from football before next Sept. 1.”
The victory over Georgia Tech in Shreveport, La., was one of the special accomplishments in 2010. The Falcons won the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy for the first time since 2002 by beating Navy (14-6) and Army (42-22).
“Each one of my seasons here have been rewarding,” said Calhoun, who was mentioned as a possible candidate for vacant coaching jobs at Colorado and with the Broncos. “Each team has been unique in its own way, with different matchups and different players. Our victory over Georgia Tech this year was special. They had a good group of players back from the team that went to the Orange Bowl the year before.”
As for the progress of Jefferson, who was a third-year starter in 2010, Calhoun lets the record speak for itself.
“Tim has emerged as an outstanding quarterback for us,” Calhoun said.
Calhoun said the three bowl games on Jefferson’s resume say something significant when considering the Falcons’ schedule. With nonconference games against Oklahoma, Navy and Army along with the tough slate in the Mountain West Conference, Calhoun proclaimed the 2010 schedule the toughest ever for a service-academy team.
“We have to replace some outstanding senior leadership,” Calhoun said, referring to All-America cornerback Reggie Rembert, outside linebacker Andre Morris, defensive lineman Rick Ricketts and fullback Jared Tew.
Calhoun, 34-18 at Air Force, has had four consecutive seasons with the ingredients he deems necessary to be successful: a winning record and playing in a bowl.
Winning the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy isn’t bad either.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
Air Force outlook
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Starters back: Tim Jefferson, Jr., 6-feet, 200 pounds.
Starters gone: None.
Summary: With junior Connor Dietz behind Jefferson on the depth chart, the Falcons are armed for their senior seasons. Both have started games over the past two years. By the end of the 2010 season, Jefferson was comfortable running the offense, and it showed.
Tailback and fullback
Starters back: TB Asher Clark, Jr., 5-8, 185.
Starters gone: FB Jared Tew, Sr.; FB Nathan Walker, Sr.
One to watch in 2011: FB Wesley Cobb, So., 5-9, 190.
Summary: Sophomore Cody Getz received playing time behind Clark in all 12 regular- season games. The loss of Tew and Walker leaves a huge hole to fill at fullback.
Receivers and tight ends
Starters back: WR Zack Kauth, Jr., 6-4, 205; WR Jonathan Warzeka, Jr., 5-9, 180; WR Mikel Hunter, So., 5-9, 170.
Starters gone: WR Kyle Halderman, Sr.; TE Chaz Demerath, Sr.; WR Kevin Fogler, Sr.
One to watch in 2011: TE Joshua Freeman, Jr., 6-3, 200.
Summary: With Halderman, Demerath and Fogler, along with Tew and Walker, Air Force had its most senior experience at the three key positions in Calhoun’s four years. Warzeka, Hunter and Kauth have big-play potential.
Linemen
Starters back: OT Jason Kons, So., 6-4, 255; G A.J. Wallerstein, Jr., 6-4, 280; C Michael Hester, Jr., 6-3, 250.
Starters gone: G Tyler Schonsheck, Sr., OT Chase Darden, Sr., OT Alexander Arndt, Sr.
One to watch in 2011: G Jordan Eason, So., 6-3, 255.
Summary: With three players returning and a fourth part-time starter listed as a player to watch, the O-line should be a strength again in 2011. The search for a tackle to replace Darden will be among the priorities.
DEFENSE
Secondary
Starters back: CB Anthony Wright, Jr., 5-10, 190; S Jon Davis, Jr., 6-1, 198; S Brian Lindsay, So., 6-1, 210; S Anthony Wooding, Fr., 5-10, 190.
Starters gone: CB Reggie Rembert, Sr.
One to watch in 2011: CB Chris Miller, Fr., 5-8, 183.
Summary: The loss of Rembert, an All-American, is more than just the loss of a star player. He also was the defense’s inspirational leader. Juniors Josh Hall and P.J. Adeji-Paul make the secondary one of the Falcons’ most well-stocked areas.
Linebackers
Starters back: OLB Patrick Hennessey, Sr., 6-2, 225; ILB Brady Amack, Jr., 6-0, 225; ILB Jordan Waiwaiole, Jr., 6-3, 230.
Starters gone: OLB Andre Morris, Sr.
One to watch in 2011: ILB Austin Niklas, So., 6-2, 225.
Summary: Morris added great experience to the group, having played in 51 games over four years. Hennessey, Amack and Waiwaiole ranked among the top six players on the team in tackles. Sophomore Alex Means and freshman Jamil Cooks will be in the mix.
Linemen
Starters back: DL Ryan Gardner, Jr., 6-3, 260; DE Zach Payne, Jr., 6-3, 255.
Starters gone: DE Rick Ricketts, Sr.; DL Bradley Connor, Sr.
One to watch in 2011: DE Wale Lawal, Jr., 6-3, 215.
Summary: Lawal missed the 2010 season because of a knee injury. He started some games at linebacker in 2009 but will be tried at defensive end in spring practice. Junior Harry Kehs could follow Ricketts, but the defensive front needs some work.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Starters back: PK Erik Soderberg, Jr., 6-1, 190.
Starters gone: PK Zach Bell, Sr.; P Keil Bartholomew, Sr.
Summary: Soderberg has to return to his 2009 form after struggling in 2010. The kicker was 22-of-30, including a 50-yard field goal, in 2009. Any good punter looking for a job could find one at Air Force. That position is wide open in 2011.
