AIR FORCE ACADEMY — The question was a roundabout way to get Air Force coach Troy Calhoun to rate his team’s chances of beating a team such as San Diego State.
The Falcons play the Aztecs (3-2) on Thursday night at Falcon Stadium, and SDSU running back Ronnie Hillman and quarterback Ryan Lindley are rated as two of the best players in the country at their positions.
The Falcons haven’t played well this season against touted opponents — losing 35-19 to TCU in the second game and 59-33 Saturday at Notre Dame.
The question of “can Air Force compete against such teams” clanked on Calhoun’s ears. The Falcons have had four consecutive winning seasons and gone to four bowl games during Calhoun’s term.
“We can compete,” Calhoun said. “TCU and Notre Dame are athletic, powerful squads, and the team we’re facing Thursday is the same. You won’t be around a group of players who will play harder than our group. We can be more exact and play faster, and that’s what we have to do.”
The Falcons (3-2) don’t have much time to think about their assignments against the Aztecs. Air Force practiced Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
“It’s a pretty tough turnaround especially coming back from South Bend,” AFA offensive tackle Jason Kons said. “We’re used to adapting and overcoming. San Diego State also played a tough game Saturday (a 27-14 loss to TCU). You just have to go strap it on and go.”
Calhoun even saw some positives.
“I look at it as a changeup,” Calhoun said. “By and large, you want to have most of your games on Saturday. But the plus to Thursday night is your game is one of three or four being played across the country.”
Your dime.
If Air Force decides to join the Big East Conference, it’ll have to dig deep into its pockets for the $5 million escape payment that would be owed the Mountain West.
Chuck Sullivan, a spokesman for the Big East, said Tuesday that meeting the expense is up to the moving institution.
No Big Apple.
The Army-Air Force game on Nov. 3, 2012, will be at Michie Stadium at West Point. The game was originally scheduled for Yankee Stadium, but Major League Baseball was concerned about a potential conflict with its postseason.
Irv Moss, The Denver Post
