It was time Sunday for Air Force football coach Troy Calhoun to start getting prepared to play Wyoming, but not before taking one last look back at his team’s dramatic, come-from-behind, 24-14 win over Army.
He took just enough time to laud the play of senior safety Jon Davis, who received national attention as the Walter Camp Foundation’s defensive player of the week.
“Jon Davis had as good a game at safety as we’ve seen around here in a long time,” Calhoun said. “He earned that award. His play was beyond description. We didn’t have a single coverage bust.”
Davis was a defensive monster for the Falcons in stemming an early tide that had Army ahead 14-0 after the first half. For the game, Davis had 12 tackles, a forced fumble and recovery that led to a touchdown and a 24-14 AFA lead, and a pass interception and return of 20 yards that clinched the victory.
Davis is the second Air Force player to receive the award. Linebacker Brady Amack won the honor with 23 tackles in a 35-34 overtime triumph over Navy five weeks ago.
The Falcons got a lift against Army with the return of senior defensive lineman Zach Payne, who had missed five games with a knee injury. Once through the first half, Calhoun said Payne settled down and played a competitive second half.
When Calhoun turned his attention to returning to Mountain West play, he ran directly into the Wyoming Cowboys, a team he called “significantly” improved on both sides of the ball.
The 5-3 Cowboys are off to their best start since 1998. Freshman quarterback Brett Smith has stepped right in and become a force in the resurgence out of Laramie.
“He’s had the benefit of early enrollment in the Wyoming program,” Calhoun said of Smith. “It’s not like he first got there a couple of months ago. Wyoming presents a great challenge. We need to play better.”
After stepping out of the conference to take care of winning the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy by beating Army, Calhoun hadn’t totally reacquainted himself with the conference standings. But he remembered enough from past experience to predict Saturday’s game will be a “donnybrook.” Calhoun’s Air Force teams haven’t lost to Wyoming in the last four years, but the overall series has been one of the most competitive on Air Force’s schedule.
The Falcons head into their final three conference games of the season with a 5-4 overall record and 1-3 in the league. They need two victories to become bowl-eligible.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
Eye on: The Cowboys
Wyoming at Air Force, noon, Saturday, MTN
For the record: The Cowboys are 5-3 overall and 2-1 in the Mountain West after losing 31-20 to TCU in Laramie on Saturday.
Streaking: Junior receiver Chris McNeill seems good for 100 yards a game. Two weeks ago against San Diego State, McNeill had 111 yards receiving and two touchdowns. Saturday against TCU, he had 99 yards receiving.
Who’s hot: Quarterback Brett Smith isn’t playing like a freshman. He has had four 300-yard games of total offense so far and has thrown two touchdowns in each of his last three games. His average of 272.2 yards of total offense ranks 25th in the nation.
Who’s not: Opponents are gaining an average of 231.5 yards rushing every game. The Cowboys allowed 390 yards on the ground against TCU, and the rushing defense ranks 115th among 120 top-division teams.
Key stat: Wyoming’s defense has lived on turnovers, reflected in the 20 exchanges opponents have contributed. The Cowboys have surrendered only eight turnovers. Wyoming’s turnover margin ranks sixth-best in the country.
FYI: Wyoming football is enjoying a return this season. At 5-3, the Cowboys are off their best start since 1998.
