AIR FORCE ACADEMY — Air Force coach Troy Calhoun knows that his quarterback, Kale Pearson, doesn’t get the recognition of other top Mountain West signal-callers, but he believes he should.
“It’s probably taboo to say that an Air Force quarterback is a player of note in this conference,” Calhoun said. “He’s had some very good games this season in the way he has been able to manage and lead our team. He’s not real big, but he’s very effective.”
Pearson, 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds, is finishing his college career in style, having led Air Force to a surprising 8-2 record.
In a gripping 45-38 overtime victory over Nevada at frigid Falcon Stadium last Saturday, Pearson was at his best. He ran for 109 yards and threw for 129 yards and three touchdowns, earning him conference honors as offensive player of the week.
Pearson’s performance this season is a testament to his love of the game. He was named the starter before the first game a year ago but suffered a season-ending knee injury in the season opener.
“It almost destroyed me,” Pearson said of the devastation of losing all he had worked for. “I didn’t know if I was going to be able to play again. I had to work extremely hard to get my knee back in shape.”
It took a full year for him to completely rehabilitate the injury.
Football wasn’t just a game. It had been part of his life almost as far back as he could remember. His father, Preston, was his quarterback coach at Union High School in Tulsa, Okla.
“My dad was a huge factor in my development,” he said. “He had me throwing a football when I was too young to be throwing a football. He helped me develop a passion for the game at a young age. The work ethic is mine.”
Said Preston: “He’s been around the game all his life. I’m sure that helped him get to where he is today. I’m not surprised at what he’s been able to do. He’s used to playing around players who are bigger than him.”
While Pearson said he rarely looks at his passing statistics after a game, he does track his efficiency rating. His passing efficiency is 169.73, a figure that would set an Air Force record. For the season he has completed 86 passes on 140 attempts (.614) for 1,342 yards, 13 touchdowns and two interceptions. He’s also rushed for 587 yards and six touchdowns.
“He’s his own man and his own quarterback,” Calhoun said. “He has all the credentials — character, leadership, work ethic — and he’s respected by his teammates.”
Offensive coordinator Mike Thiessen said Pearson had a lot of rust to rub off while rehabbing from the knee injury.
“He doesn’t say a lot, but he leads by example,” Thiessen said. “He practices at a high level, and he’s one of the strongest guys in the weight room. He can make people miss with his legs, and he’s an accurate passer.”
Junior offensive tackle Matt Rochell said the team has confidence in its quarterback.
“We trust each other,” Rochell said. “He’s the guy leading us.”
For Pearson, it’s now or never. He wants to finish his college career with a flourish.
“After this season, my football time is over,” he said.
