AIR FORCE ACADEMY — It’s not a subject that’s being ignored by Air Force players and coaches — but no one is quite sure what the answer is.
For three weeks, the Falcons’ defense has been steamrolled, allowing 134 points and a 50 percent conversion rate on third down. Next up, Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Kellen Moore and high-scoring, undefeated Boise State. What to do?
“We’ve played some very good teams, but we have to execute better,” Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said. “We’ve got a ton of football to be played, but some of our players who have filled in because of injuries have to gain experience quickly.”
Calhoun also said his offense could be playing better, which would take some pressure off the defense to make a stop every time. It’s going to be tough to show much improvement against a Boise State defense that has limited opponents to just 17 third-down conversions in 78 tries.
Falcons defensive coordinator Matt Wallerstedt is hounding his unit to put together a complete game. Air Force led Navy 21-3 at the half three weeks ago but needed overtime to hold on 35-34.
“For some reason, we haven’t been consistent since about the 9-minute mark of the Navy game,” Wallerstedt said. “We’ve had stretches where we’ve been very good, but we haven’t done it for a whole game.
“We’ll try to keep Kellen Moore guessing and hopefully make him feel a little bit uncomfortable. But we’ve got to finish and make more big plays.”
Defensive secondary coach Charlton Warren said: “I’ve got to coach better and the players have to play better. We can’t be thinking about the good things we could have done, but instead the good things we’re going to do.”
Inside linebacker Brady Amack, whose 58 tackles lead the team, wonders whether it hasn’t been a season-long problem.
“We haven’t really clicked defensively all year,” he said. “Everyone is giving 100 percent effort, but it has been an execution thing.”
Outside linebacker Alex Means said it’s a matter of the unit getting its confidence back.
“All of us are disappointed in the way we’ve been playing,” he said. “We’ve got Division I players too.”
Inside linebacker Jordan Waiwaiole said: “We’re letting the little things get to us. There are one or two plays that seem to break us down. We’ve got our work cut out for us, but we’re not going to let them walk all over us.”
Safety Jon Davis has a solution.
“A big play, a big hit can turn a team around,” he said. “Somebody has to step up and make something happen.”
Davis smiled when told his teammates nominated him to take the step.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
Three questions for Air Force
1. Will Air Force’s defense be able to reverse what has become an alarming rate of success on third down by its opponents? To have any chance against Boise State, Air Force needs to greatly improve its third-down defense. Opponents have been able to convert 50 percent on third down, which ranks 110th nationally out of 120 teams.
2. Will Air Force’s defense be able to slow down Boise State’s high-powered passing game? The Falcons have only five interceptions in six games, and Broncos quarterback Kellen Moore has thrown only four picks, so it’ll be difficult unless Air Force finds a way to get more pressure from its front seven.
3. Can Air Force (3-3) stop its slide, score a major upset and be in line for a bowl game? The Falcons’ perch at .500 or better is more than a little slippery after back-to-back losses to Notre Dame and San Diego State. What was projected as perhaps Troy Calhoun’s best team is now in danger of falling below .500. Air Force hasn’t been under .500 since the 2006 season, when it dropped to 3-4 after a loss to BYU and finished 4-8.
Irv Moss, The Denver Post
