AIR FORCE ACADEMY — Nick Fitzgerald this week is cramming as if preparing for a final exam.
The freshman Air Force defensive lineman is being thrust into the rotation due to injuries that have depleted the line. He is expected to get major playing time Saturday, when the Falcons play at Navy.
Fitzgerald, who is 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds, has averaged about 12 plays a game, but he’s wondering if a game last year — while with Air Force Prep School — might have been a better precursor of what to expect this weekend.
“We went back to the East Coast and played the Army Prep School,” Fitzgerald said. “I think that game might have given me a preview of what to expect this week. You could feel the tension. Everything was more intense. They went out ahead 12-0, but we were disciplined and came back to win the game.”
While he may not start, in favor of senior Harry Kehs at tackle, Fitzgerald is expected to fill in for senior Zach Payne at some point. Payne was lost to a knee injury last week.
Fitzgerald isn’t the only defensive lineman looking forward to the first service academy game of the season.
“The (Commander-in-Chief’s) trophy is a big deal around here,” junior Cody Miller said. “We’re reminded every day in the classroom about who we play this week. It’s a special game.”
Miller, 6-2, 260, is filling in for the injured Ryan Gardner at nose guard.
Even with the loss of senior players, there isn’t a sign of panic in the Air Force camp. Kehs (6-4, 255) and senior Ben Kopacka (6-5, 250) have moved into starting roles at tackle.
“We’ll do what we always do in the case of injuries,” Kopacka said. “We’ll roll with it. Coach (Troy) Calhoun demands that of us.”
Defensive line coach Ron Burton said: “It’s not the wrong game to have injuries, it’s just the next game. Our job is getting the players we have prepared to play, and we won’t have a problem doing that. I think they’ll be hungry to take advantage of it.”
Irv Moss: 303 954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
