AIR FORCE ACADEMY — The message came to Air Force running back Timothy McVey during the game two weeks ago at Boise State.
It was the 11th game of the season and McVey, a sophomore from Lundhurst, Ohio, had seen only spot duty and scout-team practice time since the season started Sept. 5.
“They just said that my time had come and I went into the game,” McVey said this week after a practice session. “We had some injuries and it finally got down to me.”
There wasn’t any drum roll, but maybe there should have been.
McVey scored a touchdown against Boise State late in the first half on a 48-yard run that boosted the Falcons to a 24-13 halftime lead. They won the game 37-30.
Then McVey became a touchdown machine, scoring five TDs last weekend during the Falcons’ 47-35 loss at New Mexico.
His next opportunity to shine comes against San Diego State in the Mountain West championship game Saturday at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.
McVey has handled his sudden rise to prominence for the Falcons as if he were a veteran. He remembered staying positive even with his low place on the depth chart.
“The name of the game here is to get better every week that you play,” McVey said. “I was doing the best I could and I just tried to do my job and wait for an opportunity.”
It wasn’t easy to be on the sideline.
“A lot of things go through your head at times,” McVey said. “My focus was to get better as a player.”
Air Force running backs coach Ben Miller wasn’t surprised by McVey’s success.
“He took advantage when the opportunity came,” Miller said. “It’s so much fun to coach a player that works the way he does. He has great ability in the open field. He doesn’t lack in heart.”
McVey, 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds, has a good burst of speed that can clear the line of scrimmage in a hurry.
Also, he doesn’t compile his touchdown list on short plays. Four of his six rushing touchdowns have been plays of 30 yards or longer, including a 61-yard gallop against New Mexico.
His three touchdown receptions have been plays of 26, 75 and 56 yards.
McVey has a way of keeping his newly found success in perspective.
“I’ve seen crazier things happen,” he said.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296, imoss@denverpost.com or @irvmoss
Mountain West Championship: Air Force at San Diego State, 5:30 p.m. Saturday; ESPN2
Championship Saturday
AMERICAN
No. 20 Temple at Houston, 10 a.m.
CONFERENCE USA
Southern Miss at W. Kentucky, 10 a.m.
SEC
No. 18 Florida vs. No. 2 Alabama, 2 p.m.
MOUNTAIN WEST
Air Force at San Diego State, 5:30 p.m.
PAC-12
USC vs. No. 7 Stanford, 5:45 p.m.
ACC
No. 8 N. Carolina vs. No. 1 Clemson, 6 p.m.
BIG TEN
No. 5 Michigan State vs. No. 4 Iowa, 6 p.m.
