WASHINGTON — All you need to know about Anthony Wright Jr. is that he would be on Air Force coach Troy Calhoun’s all-star team.
That’s a pretty significant endorsement coming from a coach who has the Falcons playing in a bowl game for the fifth consecutive year and whose team won the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy in battles with Army and Navy for the second year in a row.
Wright is a member of a senior class that will play in its fourth bowl game Wednesday when the Falcons (7-5) meet Toledo (8-4) in the Military Bowl at RFK Stadium.
Wright will make his 49th consecutive start at cornerback.
Calhoun doesn’t save any accolades when it comes to Wright, a 5-foot-10, 200-pounder from Cleveland.
“He’s been sensational for us.” Calhoun said. “When you start (nearly) 50 games, especially at cornerback, it shows ability. But more important it shows heart, toughness and that he’s been a leader.”
The Falcons have played effective pass defense this year, allowing an average gain of 6.9 yards per pass.
“He’s made a lot of players around him be a lot better,” Calhoun said of Wright. “He’s a winner in every way and has the ability to play a number of positions. Nobody has contributed more to our success than Anthony.”
At a bowl-related event Monday night, Wright greeted a few Toledo players he knows. Then he thought about his four years of Air Force football that will come to an end Wednesday.
“I’m a little overwhelmed,” Wright said. “I never thought this game would actually come. It’s a little bittersweet. It had to end one day, but you never want to see it end.”
Wright is well placed in the Air Force and Mountain West record books. His 12 career interceptions rank fourth in AFA history and fifth in Mountain West history. And his 210 career interception return yards rank second in conference history.
Wright goes into his final game having created 17 career turnovers, including three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He has 196 tackles in 51 games.
Wright made seven interceptions as a sophomore.
“My sophomore year was a big season, and my expectations got higher and higher,” he said. “I was just trying to be the best corner I could be. Overall, it’s been a productive career for me and one that I’m proud of.”
In last year’s Independence Bowl against Georgia Tech, which the Falcons won 14-7, Wright knocked a pass away late in the game and an interception by safety Jon Davis followed on the next play.
Footnote. Calhoun said there’s a good chance senior linebacker Ken Lamendola and sophomore wide receiver Ty MacArthur will come off the injured list and play against Toledo.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or
imoss@denverpost.com
