AIR FORCE ACADEMY — Air Force football players had just completed the best two-game stint in their time at the academy.
They were excited, yet they were calm.
“We’re happy with it, but we move on,” cornerback Jordan Mays said Saturday after the Falcons’ 30-21 victory over Navy at Falcon Stadium.
Senior defensive lineman Nick Fitzgerald essentially said the same thing.
“I definitely celebrated after the Boise (State) win,” Fitzgerald said. “But I came back Monday and switched it off. It’s difficult, but that’s what we do.”
This mentality is preached repeatedly by the coaching staff.
Early last week, Air Force defensive players came to position meetings ready to enjoy their film session, eager to relive their seven-turnover masterpiece against Boise State.
Instead, that was skipped. The schemes of that game weren’t relevant enough to the tactics they would employ against Navy, so they instead talked briefly about it and turned the page.
Nice game, guys. Now forget it.
“As soon as I walk out of that locker room, I’m guilty, it’s all about where you’re heading,” coach Troy Calhoun said after the victory over Navy. “As soon as you get out of there, it’s all about what direction do we have to take.”
It’s crazy to consider that had Air Force held a late lead at Wyoming, it would be 5-0, already one victory from bowl eligibility and probably generating at least marginal attention in the national polls. Even still, at 4-1, the Falcons have fully shown that they’re off the canvas as a program after their worst season (2-10) in program history.
The Falcons are rolling with an offense that, while not overpowering, seems adaptable, and a defense forging an identity as mostly stout and highly aggressive with 10 forced turnovers in three games — one more than in all 12 games last year.
Air Force plays this Saturday at Utah State (3-2), which is coming off a 35-20 upset of Brigham Young.
