AIR FORCE ACADEMY — Troy Calhoun didn’t spare the accolades as the Air Force coach talked about impressive Colorado State freshman quarterback Garrett Grayson.
At his weekly gathering with the media Tuesday, Calhoun talked about the Falcons’ regular-season finale Saturday against the Rams in Fort Collins — and he put Grayson in some great company.
“He played as well in Fort Worth (last weekend against Texas Christian) as I’ve seen a quarterback play in my five years (as AFA coach),” Calhoun said. “He creates things you have to defend, especially with his mobility.”
Grayson made the first start of his CSU career because sophomore Pete Thomas has a sprained knee and couldn’t play against the Horned Frogs. Grayson will make his second start this week. Thomas is more of a pocket passer than Grayson, so the Falcons’ defense will have to adjust to Grayson’s style. Calhoun said the backbone of CSU’s offense is the same, but Grayson adds another element.
Calhoun compared Grayson to former TCU star Andy Dalton, who quarterbacked the Horned Frogs to a 13-0 season (including a Rose Bowl victory) last year before beginning his NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals.
“He ran exceptionally well (last weekend),” Calhoun said of Grayson, who passed for 248 yards and rushed for 53 in a 34-10 loss to TCU. “He converted a third-and-11 on his own.”
Business trip.
Senior quarterback Tim Jefferson is taking a business approach to the last regular-season game of his Air Force career.
“I know it’s a must-win for us, but I’m not putting any more burden on myself than any other game,” said Jefferson, a four-year starter.
The Falcons (6-5, 2-4 Mountain West) need to beat CSU (3-7, 1-4) to become eligible for a bowl game, so they see Saturday as a playoff game.
“Last week was our quarter-finals,” Jefferson said. “This week is the semifinals. If we get past this weekend, our bowl game will be our championship game.”
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
