2023 Air Force Falcons football team

American college football season

2023 Air Force Falcons football
Armed Forces Bowl champion
Armed Forces Bowl, W 31–21 vs. James Madison
ConferenceMountain West Conference
Record9–4 (5–3 MW)
Head coach
  • Troy Calhoun (17th season)
Offensive coordinatorMike Thiessen (14th season)
Offensive schemeTriple option
Defensive coordinatorBrian Knorr (2nd season)
Base defense3–4
Home stadiumFalcon Stadium
Uniform
Seasons
← 2022
2024 →
2023 Mountain West Conference football standings
  • v
  • t
  • e
 Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
UNLV y   6 – 2     9 – 5  
Boise State y$   6 – 2     8 – 6  
San Jose State   6 – 2     7 – 6  
Air Force   5 – 3     9 – 4  
Wyoming   5 – 3     9 – 4  
Fresno State   4 – 4     9 – 4  
Utah State   4 – 4     6 – 7  
Hawaii   3 – 5     5 – 8  
Colorado State   3 – 5     5 – 7  
Nevada   2 – 6     2 – 10  
New Mexico   2 – 6     4 – 8  
San Diego State   2 – 6     4 – 8  
Championship: Boise State 44, UNLV 20
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant

The 2023 Air Force Falcons football team represented the United States Air Force Academy in the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The season was the team's 69th overall, 25th as a member of the Mountain West Conference, and 10th in the Mountain West's Mountain Division. The team played their home games at Falcon Stadium and were led by 17th-year head coach Troy Calhoun.[1]

Preseason

Mountain West media poll

The 2023 Mountain West preseason media poll was released on July 19. The Falcons were predicted to finish second in the conference.[2]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 211:00 a.m.Robert Morris*AltitudeW 42–730,142
September 96:00 p.m.vs. Sam Houston*CBSSNW 13–325,121
September 156:00 p.m.Utah State
  • Falcon Stadium
  • Colorado Springs, CO
CBSSNW 39–2118,400
September 228:30 p.m.at San Jose StateFS1W 45–2016,124
September 306:00 p.m.San Diego State
  • Falcon Stadium
  • Colorado Springs, CO
CBSSNW 49–1024,869
October 145:00 p.m.Wyoming
  • Falcon Stadium
  • Colorado Springs, CO
CBSSNW 34–2728,311
October 2110:00 a.m.at Navy*No. 22CBSW 17–638,803
October 285:00 p.m.at Colorado StateNo. 19CBSSNW 30–1322,570
November 412:30 p.m.vs. Army*No. 25
CBSSNL 3–2352,401
November 119:00 p.m.at HawaiiSPEC PPV, MW NetworkL 13–2712,742
November 181:30 p.m.UNLV
  • Falcon Stadium
  • Colorado Springs, CO
CBSSNL 27–3123,574
November 242:00 p.m.at Boise StateFS1L 19–2736,390
December 231:30 p.m.vs. James MadisonABCW 31–2130,828

[3]

Personnel

Coaching staff

2023 Air Force Football Coaching Staff
Name Position Season College
Troy Calhoun Head Coach 17th Air Force (1989)
Marc Bacote Tight Ends 2nd James Madison (2000)
Jake Campbell Slot Backs 12th Air Force (1996)
Tim Horton Running Backs, Special Teams Coordinator 3rd Arkansas (1989)
Charlie Jackson Asst. head coach/defensive backs coach 2nd Air Force (2000)
Brian Knorr Defensive Coordinator 1st Air Force (1986)
Ken Lamendola Inside Linebackers 2nd Air Force (2011)
Steed Lobotzke Offensive Line 9th Air Force (1992)
Matt McGettigan Director of Speed - Strength & Conditioning 17th Luther College (1987)
Alex Means Defensive Line 2nd Air Force (2013)
Brett Skene Specialists/Assistant Offensive Line 2nd Air Force (2011)
Taylor Stubblefield Wide Receivers Coach 1st Purdue (2005)
Mike Thiessen Off. Coordinator, Quarterbacks 17th Air Force (2001)
Nick Toth Safeties 2nd Ohio (1999)
E.J. Whitlow Defensive Ends 2nd Findlay (2010)
Kale Pearson Director of Recruiting 2nd Air Force (2015)
Chuck Petersen Football Executive/Assistant Recruiting Director 1st Air Force (1985)
Anthony Wright Defensive Assistant 2nd Air Force (2012)

Coaching Staff Source: [4]

Roster

(Please note that the Air Force football team rarely lists freshman players on their official roster)

2023 Air Force Falcons Football Roster

Quarterback

  •   5 – Jensen Jones, Senior (6'2, 215)
  •   9 – Zac Larrier, Senior (6'0, 195)
  • 12 – John Busha, Sophomore (6'2, 205)
  • 15 – Ben Brittain, Senior (6'1, 190)
  • 17 – Cannon Turner, Senior (6'0, 215)

Running back

  •   8 – Christopher Frew, Sophomore (5'9, 190)
  • 10 – Jalen Johnson, Senior (5'8, 185)
  • 20 – Dylan Carson, Sophomore (6'0, 210)
  • 24 – John Lee Eldridge III, Senior (5'9, 200)
  • 25 – Tylor Latham, Sophomore (5'8, 180)
  • 26 – Owen Burk, Senior (5'11, 200)
  • 27 – Kaden Cloud, Sophomore (5'9, 185)
  • 28 – Aiden Calvert, Junior (5'10, 205)
  • 30 – Kale Gibbs, Junior (5'8, 175)
  • 33 – Jet Harris, Senior (6'1, 225)
  • 34 – Darius Stone, Sophomore (5'11, 205)

Wide receiver

  •   2 – Brandon Engel, Junior (6'2, 210)
  •   6 – Cameron Breier, Junior (6'2, 195)
  • 11 – Wyatt Wilson, Senior (6'3, 195)
  • 13 – Jared Roznos, Junior (6'0, 190)
  • 16 – Dylan Evans, Sophomore (5'11, 185)
  • 18 – Kendin Alexander, Junior (5'10, 165)
  • 21 – Cade Harris, Junior (5'8, 180)
  • 23 – Dane Kinamon, Senior (6'0, 205)
  • 29 – Evan Rau, Sophomore (5'9, 170)
  • 32 – Jordan Scarbrough, Sophomore (5'8, 185)
  • 80 – Tre Roberson, Sophomore (6'2, 205)
  • 87 – Quin Smith, Sophomore (6'1, 190)
  • 89 – Parker St. John, Junior (6'2, 190)

Tight end

  • 81 – James Bryant, Senior (6'4, 230)
  • 82 – Connor McIntee, Senior (6'3, 235)
  • 83 – Chances Carter-Hill, Sophomore (6'2, 230)
  • 84 – Caleb Rillos, Senior (6'5, 255)
  • 85 – Parker Menefee, Sophomore (6'6, 240)
  • 88 – Bruin Fleischmann, Sophomore (6'3, 220)

Specialist

  • 43 – Matthew Dapore, Junior (6'0, 195)
  • 95 – Carson Bay, Junior (5'11, 165)
  • 96 – Reagan Tubbs, Sophomore (6'0, 175)
  • 97 – Luke Freer, Sophomore (6'4, 220)
  

Fullback

  •   4 – Emmanuel Michel, Senior (5'10, 210)

Offensive Lineman

  • 51 – Kaleb Holcomb, Senior (6'4, 270)
  • 53 – Steven Iles, Senior (6'2, 285)
  • 54 – Jackson Kohal, Junior (6'4, 305)
  • 55 – Nick Blessing, Sophomore (6'4, 250)
  • 56 – Mark Hiestand, Senior (6'5, 285)
  • 57 – Gabriel Averitt, Sophomore (6'3, 270)
  • 59 – Adam Karas, Senior (6'4, 285)
  • 60 – John Gordon, Jr., Junior (6'2, 205)
  • 61 – Costen Cooley, Sophomore (6'4, 279)
  • 62 – Matthew Heitmann, Junior (6'4, 290)
  • 64 – Luke Hallstrom, Senior (6'2, 270)
  • 65 – Samuel Floysand, Sophomore (6'3, 275)
  • 66 – Jace Sutulovich, Sophomore (6'3, 285)
  • 68 – Thor Paglialong, Senior (6'4, 300)
  • 69 – Wesley Ndago, Senior (6'2, 300)
  • 71 – Michael McAninch, Junior (6'3, 300)
  • 72 – Christien Hawks, Sophomore (6'3, 290)
  • 73 – Luke Vonderhaar, Sophomore (6'4, 270)
  • 74 – Mason Carlan, Senior (6'3, 290)
  • 75 – Ethan Jackman, Senior (6'4, 310)
  • 76 – Alex Moore, Junior (6'3, 270)
  • 77 – Cameron Collins, Sophomore (6'3, 260)
  • 78 – Trevor Tate, Sophomore (6'2, 270)

Defensive Lineman

  •   8 – Bo Richter, Senior (6'2, 250)
  • 13 – PJ Ramsey, Senior (6'2, 260)
  • 48 – Jayden Thiergood, Senior (6'3, 250)
  • 55 – Kupono Blake, Senior (6'2, 270)
  • 57 – Colin Stewart, Sophomore (6'2, 240)
  • 62 – James Tomasi, Junior (6'0, 310)
  • 87 – Caden Blum, Senior (6'5, 265)
  • 90 – Brian Bradley, Sophomore (6'2, 230)
  • 92 – Jackson Garrett, Sophomore (6'3, 270)
  • 93 – Andrew BoisD'Enghien, Senior (6'3, 280)
  • 94 – Kaleb Tompkins, Junior (6'4, 260)
  • 95 – Daniel Grobe, Sophomore (6'7, 270)
  • 96 – Payton Zdroik, Junior (6'0, 275)
  • 97 – Brent Winfree, Sophomore (6'4, 275)
  • 99 – Aidan Swartz, Sophomore (6'4, 270)
  

Linebacker

  •   6 – Matthew Malloy, Senior (6'3, 215)
  • 18 – Elijah Sanders, Junior (6'3, 240)
  • 24 – Robert Mbroh, Junior (6'3, 220)
  • 27 – Julian Williams, Junior (6'2, 230)
  • 35 – Jack Curtis, Sophomore (6'5, 245)
  • 32 – Osaro Aihie, Junior (6'1, 225)
  • 38 – Ty Hubert, Sophomore (5'11, 200)
  • 40 – Alec Mock, Senior (6'3, 240)
  • 41 – Jackson Adams, Sophomore (6'4, 240)
  • 44 – Johnathan Youngblood, Senior (5'11, 225)
  • 45 – Matt Devine, Junior (6'0, 225)
  • 46 – Zach Juckel, Sophomore (6'2, 210)
  • 47 – Kyler Orr, Sophomore (6'1, 210)
  • 50 – Grant Uyl, Junior (5'11, 225)
  • 51 – Victor Dubuclet, Sophomore (6'0, 210)
  • 52 – Matthew Reddick, Sophomore (6'2, 230)
  • 54 – Are'an Burr, Sophomore (6'3, 220)
  • 56 – Cole Palmer, Junior (6'4, 235)

Defensive back

  •   0 – Trey Williams, Junior (5'10, 175)
  •   3 – Jamari Bellamy, Junior (6'2, 185)
  •   5 – Corey Collins, Senior (5'11, 185)
  •   7 – Trey Taylor, Senior (6'0, 210)
  •   9 – Levi Brown, Sophomore (6'1, 175)
  • 10 – Jalen Mergerson, Senior (5'11, 210)
  • 11 – Camby Goff, Senior (6'1, 215)
  • 12 – Patrick Dahlen, Senior (6'3, 210)
  • 14 – K.C. Beard, Junior (6'1, 200)
  • 15 – Jake Martin, Junior (6'2, 200)
  • 16 – Jayden Goodwin, Senior (6'1, 195)
  • 17 – Zion Kelly, Senior (5'10, 190)
  • 19 – C.J. Boyd, Junior (6'1, 200)
  • 20 – Jake Smith, Senior (6'1, 210)
  • 21 – Aidan Plate, Junior (6'2, 200)
  • 22 – Jerome Gaillard, Jr., Junior (6'4, 200)
  • 28 – Terrance Cullivan, Sophomore (5'10, 185)
  • 30 – Tyme Collins, Junior (6'0, 210)
  • 42 – Jakobi McGowan, Junior (6'1, 205)

Long snapper

  • 41 – J. Frank Melgarejo III, Senior (6'0, 225)
  • 48 – Anthony DeBerardino, Junior (6'1, 210)
  • 49 – Kurt Chesney, Sophomore (6'0, 195)

Roster Source: [5]

Game summaries

vs Robert Morris

Robert Morris Colonials (0–0) vs Air Force Falcons (0–0)
Period 1 2 34Total
Colonials 0 0 077
Falcons 14 14 7742

at Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, CO

  • Date: September 2, 2023
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m. MDT
  • Game weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 30,142
  • Referee: Nolan Dumas
  • TV announcers (Altitude): Vic Lombardi (Play-by-play), Ted Sundquist (Analyst), & Katy Winge (Sideline)
  • ESPN – Zac Larrier rushes for two touchdowns, passes for another in Air Force's 42-7 win in season opener[6] /// Goairforcefalcons.com – Robert Morris (0-1 , 0-0) -VS- Air Force (1-0 , 0-0)[7]
Game information
First quarter
  • (11:22) AF TD – Cade Harris 3-yard rush, Matthew Dapore kick
    Drive: 5 plays, 26 yards, 2:14; Air Force 7–0
  • (03:27) AF TD – Zac Larrier 26-yard rush, Matthew Dapore kick
    Drive: 9 plays, 85 yards, 5:05; Air Force 14–0
Second quarter
  • (12:31) AF TD – Zac Larrier 84-yard pass to Jared Roznos, Matthew Dapore kick
    Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 0:51; Air Force 21–0
  • (01:58) AF TD – Owen Burk 27-yard rush, Matthew Dapore kick
    Drive: 11 plays, 88 yards, 5:46; Air Force 28–0
Third quarter
  • (13:53) AF TD – Zac Larrier 4-yard rush, Matthew Dapore kick
    Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:07; Air Force 35–0
Fourth quarter
  • (13:33) AF TD – Jensen Jones 7-yard rush, Reagan Tubbs kick
    Drive: 6 plays, 56 yards, 2:47; Air Force 42–0
  • (10:35) RMU TD – Anthony Chiccitt 1-yard pass to Chaese Jackson, Jayson Jenkins kick
    Drive: 6 plays, 56 yards, 2:47; Air Force 42–7
Passing
  • RMU – Anthony Chiccitt: 14/18, 99 yards, 1 TD
  • AF – Zac Larrier: 2/3, 95 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
  • RMU – Kimon O'Sullivan: 9 carries, 39 yards
  • AF – Zac Larrier: 14 carries, 99 yards, 2 TD
Receiving
  • RMU – Noah Robinson: 3 receptions, 36 yards
  • AF – Jared Roznos: 1 reception, 84 yards, 1 TD
Defense
  • RMU – Jamar Shegog: 12 total tackles (7 solo, 5 assisted)
  • AF – Johnathan Youngblood: 7 total tackles (3 solo, 4 assisted)

Statistics RMU AF
First downs 9 24
3rd down efficiency 3–11 6–10
4th down efficiency 0–1 1–3
Plays–yards 50–156 59–469
Rushes–yards 26–43 56–374
Passing yards 113 95
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 18–24–0 2–3–0
Penalties–yards 9–61 2–10
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 27:49 32:11

vs Sam Houston

Air Force Falcons (1–0) vs Sam Houston Bearkats (0–1)
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 0 3 01013
Bearkats 0 0 303

at NRG Stadium, Houston, TX

  • Date: September 9, 2023
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. MDT
  • Game weather: Indoor
  • Game attendance: 25,121
  • TV announcers (CBSSN): Carter Blackburn (Play-by-play) & Robert Turbin (Analyst)
  • ESPN – Air Force uses familiar ground assault to churn out 13-3 win over Sam Houston[8] /// Goairforcefalcons.com – Air Force (2-0 , 0-0) -VS- Sam Houston (0-2 , 0-0)[9]
Game information
First quarter
  • No Scoring
Second quarter
  • (08:36) AF FG – Matthew Dapore 42-yard field goal
    Drive: 9 plays, 47 yards, 5:03; Air Force 3–0
Third quarter
  • (06:03) SAM FG – Colby Sessums 45-yard field goal
    Drive: 13 plays, 33 yards, 6:49; Tied 3–3
Fourth quarter
  • (13:41) AF FG – Matthew Dapore 42-yard field goal
    Drive: 13 plays, 45 yards, 7:15; Air Force 6–3
  • (05:14) AF TD – Owen Burk 7-yard rush, Matthew Dapore kick
    Drive: 11 plays, 60 yards, 6:20; Air Force 13–3
Passing
Rushing
  • AF – Owen Burk: 8 carries, 75 yards, 1 TD
  • SAM – Zach Hrbacek: 10 carries, 29 yards
Receiving
  • AF – John Lee Eldridge III: 1 reception, 14 yards
  • SAM – Ife Adeyi: 3 receptions, 20 yards
Defense
  • AF – Alec Mock: 11 total tackles (6 solo, 5 assisted), 1 tackle for loss
  • SAM – Trevor Williams: 14 total tackles (11 solo, 3 assisted), 1 tackle for loss

Statistics AF SAM
First downs 18 6
3rd down efficiency 5–13 3–13
4th down efficiency 0–1 1–1
Plays–yards 62–258 44–80
Rushes–yards 59–244 30–36
Passing yards 14 44
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 1–3–0 8–14–0
Penalties–yards 2–20 2–25
Turnovers 1 0
Time of possession 36:38 23:22

vs Utah State

Utah State Aggies (1–1) vs Air Force Falcons (2–0)
Period 1 2 34Total
Aggies 0 7 7721
Falcons 22 10 7039

at Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, CO

  • Date: September 15, 2023
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. MDT
  • Game weather: Cloudy
  • Game attendance: 18,400
  • Referee: Patrick Foy
  • TV announcers (CBSSN): Alex Del Barrio (Play-by-play), Robert Turbin (Analyst), & Emily Proud (Color)
  • ESPN – Michel runs for three TDs, leads Air Force over Utah State 39-21[10] /// Goairforcefalcons.com – Utah St. (1-2 , 0-1) -VS- Air Force (3-0 , 1-0)[11]
Game information
First quarter
  • (07:04) AF TD – Emmanuel Michel 1-yard rush, Emmanuel Michel rush
    Drive: 12 plays, 63 yards, 6:57; Air Force 8–0
  • (05:17) AF TD – Zac Larrier 4-yard rush, Matthew Dapore kick
    Drive: 3 plays, 11 yards, 1:16; Air Force 15–0
  • (00:11) AF TD – Emmanuel Michel 2-yard rush, Matthew Dapore kick
    Drive: 7 plays, 79 yards, 4:00; Air Force 22–0
Second quarter
  • (11:15) AF TD – John Lee Eldridge III 13-yard rush, Matthew Dapore kick
    Drive: 5 plays, 72 yards, 2:48; Air Force 29–0
  • (01:58) USU TD – McCae Hillstead 2-yard pass to Terrell Vaughn, Elliott Nimrod kick
    Drive: 11 plays, 57 yards, 4:38; Air Force 29–7
  • (00:00) AF FG – Matthew Dapore 49-yard field goal
    Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 1:58; Air Force 32–7
Third quarter
  • (08:45) AF TD – Emmanuel Michel 2-yard rush, Matthew Dapore kick
    Drive: 10 plays, 46 yards, 6:14; Air Force 39–7
  • (05:10) USU TD – McCae Hillstead 9-yard pass to Jalen Royals, Elliott Nimrod kick
    Drive: 10 plays, 79 yards, 3:28; Air Force 39–14
Fourth quarter
  • (08:43) USU TD – McCae Hillstead 6-yard pass to Micah Davis, Elliott Nimrod kick
    Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 2:02; Air Force 39–21
Passing
  • USU – McCae Hillstead: 18/27, 202 yards, 3 TD
  • AF – Zac Larrier: 3/4, 84 yards
Rushing
  • USU – Rahsul Faison: 7 carries, 40 yards
  • AF – Owen Burk: 15 carries, 110 yards
Receiving
  • USU – Micah Davis: 8 receptions, 84 yards, 1 TD
  • AF – Jared Roznos: 1 reception, 49 yards
Defense
  • USU – Ike Larsen: 11 total tackles (5 solo, 6 assisted)
  • AF – Alec Mock: 11 total tackles (8 solo, 3 assisted), 2 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, 1 passes defended

Statistics USU AF
First downs 20 24
3rd down efficiency 3–11 9–13
4th down efficiency 2–3 1–1
Plays–yards 61–302 68–428
Rushes–yards 26–54 64–344
Passing yards 248 84
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 20–35–1 3–4–0
Penalties–yards 4–17 6–60
Turnovers 2 0
Time of possession 21:20 38:40

at San Jose State

Air Force Falcons (3–0) at San Jose State Spartans (1–3)
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 3 14 72145
Spartans 6 14 0020

at CEFCU Stadium, San Jose, CA

  • Date: September 22, 2023
  • Game time: 8:30 p.m. MDT
  • Game weather: Temperature: 67 °F (19 °C) • Wind: SE at 9 miles per hour (14 km/h) • Weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 16,124
  • Referee: Christian Watson
  • TV announcers (FS1): Dan Hellie (Play-by-play) & Petros Papadakis (Analyst)
  • ESPN – Michel, Eldridge help Air Force run over San Jose State 45-20 for 8th straight win[12] /// Goairforcefalcons.com – Air Force (4-0 , 2-0) -VS- San Jose St. (1-4 , 0-1)[13]
Game information
First quarter
  • (10:43) SJS TD – Chevan Cordeiro 10-yard rush, Kyler Halvorsen PAT failed
    Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:17; San Jose State 6–0
  • (03:02) AF FG – Reagan Tubbs 30-yard field goal
    Drive: 13 plays, 62 yards, 7:41; San Jose State 6–3
Second quarter
  • (10:53) AF TD – Emmanuel Michel 17-yard rush, Reagan Tubbs kick
    Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 4:55; Air Force 10–6
  • (07:57) SJS TD – Kairee Robinson 29-yard rush, Kyler Halvorsen kick
    Drive: 6 plays, 60 yards, 2:52; San Jose State 13–10
  • (03:24) SJS TD – Kairee Robinson 1-yard rush, Kyler Halvorsen kick
    Drive: 5 plays, 64 yards, 2:29; San Jose State 20–10
  • (00:25) AF TD – Emmanuel Michel 4-yard rush, Reagan Tubbs kick
    Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 2:59; San Jose State 20–17
Third quarter
  • (06:18) AF TD – John Lee Eldridge III 5-yard rush, Reagan Tubbs kick
    Drive: 15 plays, 75 yards, 8:42; Air Force 24–20
Fourth quarter
  • (12:50) AF TD – Emmanuel Michel 1-yard rush, Reagan Tubbs kick
    Drive: 13 plays, 71 yards, 7:38; Air Force 31–20
  • (07:51) AF TD – John Lee Eldridge III 34-yard rush, Reagan Tubbs kick
    Drive: 4 plays, 40 yards, 2:05; Air Force 38–20
  • (02:20) AF TD – Jet Harris 2-yard rush, Reagan Tubbs kick
    Drive: 5 plays, 22 yards, 2:56; Air Force 45–20
Passing
  • AF – Zac Larrier: 2/2, 28 yards
  • SJS – Chevan Cordeiro: 24/35, 238 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
  • AF – Emmanuel Michel: 33 carries, 148 yards, 3 TD
  • SJS – Kairee Robinson: 7 carries, 82 yards, 2 TD
Receiving
  • AF – Jared Roznos: 1 reception, 22 yards
  • SJS – Dominick Mazotti: 5 receptions, 60 yards
Defense
  • AF – Trey Taylor: 8 total tackles (4 solo, 4 assisted), 1 tackle for loss
  • SJS – Taniela Latu: 13 total tackles (7 solo, 6 assisted), 1.5 tackle for loss

Statistics AF SJS
First downs 25 18
3rd down efficiency 10–15 3–8
4th down efficiency 3–3 0–2
Plays–yards 75–428 52–354
Rushes–yards 73–400 17–115
Passing yards 28 239
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 2–2–0 24–35–1
Penalties–yards 4–43 6–48
Turnovers 0 1
Time of possession 39:05 20:55

vs San Diego State

San Diego State Aztecs (2–3) vs Air Force Falcons (4–0)
Period 1 2 34Total
Aztecs 0 10 0010
Falcons 0 21 21749

at Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, CO

  • Date: September 30, 2023
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. MDT
  • Game weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 24,869
  • Referee: Nolan Dumas
  • TV announcers (CBSSN): Rich Waltz (Play-by-play), Aaron Taylor (Analyst), & Tiffany Blackmon (Sideline)
  • ESPN – Larrier, Michel lead Air Force to 49-10 romp over San Diego State[14] /// Goairforcefalcons.com – San Diego St. (2-4 , 0-2) -VS- Air Force (5-0 , 3-0)[15]
Game information
First quarter
  • No Scoring
Second quarter
  • (13:34) SDSU TD – Jalen Mayden 21-yard pass to Joshua Nicholson, Jack Browning kick
    Drive: 17 plays, 80 yards, 9:32; San Diego State 7–0
  • (10:31) AF TD – Cade Harris 7-yard rush, Matthew Dapore kick
    Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:03; Tied 7–7
  • (04:21) AF TD – Emmanuel Michel 2-yard rush, Matthew Dapore kick
    Drive: 9 plays, 53 yards, 5:04; Air Force 14–7
  • (00:43) AF TD – Emmanuel Michel 3-yard rush, Matthew Dapore kick
    Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:09; Air Force 21–7
  • (00:00) SDSU FG – Jack Browning 61-yard field goal
    Drive: 8 plays, 31 yards, 0:43; Air Force 21–10
Third quarter
  • (12:04) AF TD – Zac Larrier 54-yard pass to Cade Harris, Matthew Dapore kick
    Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:56; Air Force 28–10
  • (07:18) AF TD – Zac Larrier 53-yard pass to Jared Roznos, Matthew Dapore kick
    Drive: 6 plays, 79 yards, 3:00; Air Force 35–10
  • (07:09) AF TD – Trey Taylor 30-yard interception return, Matthew Dapore kick
    Drive: 1 plays, 0 yards, 0:09; Air Force 42–10
Fourth quarter
  • (09:45) AF TD – Jensen Jones 4-yard rush, Reagan Tubbs kick
    Drive: 16 plays, 85 yards, 10:20; Air Force 49–10
Passing
  • SDSU – Jalen Mayden: 13/24, 122 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
  • AF – Zac Larrier: 6/7, 189 yards, 2 TD
Rushing
  • SDSU – Kenan Christon: 14 carries, 58 yards
  • AF – Zac Larrier: 8 carries, 103 yards
Receiving
  • SDSU – Mark Redman: 2 receptions, 27 yards
  • AF – Cade Harris: 2 receptions, 82 yards, 1 TD
Defense
  • SDSU – Zyrus Fiaseu: 9 total tackles (2 solo, 7 assisted)
  • AF – Alec Mock: 6 total tackles (5 solo, 1 assisted), 1 tackles for loss

Statistics SDSU AF
First downs 14 24
3rd down efficiency 4–13 4–8
4th down efficiency 3–4 2–2
Plays–yards 55–227 59–476
Rushes–yards 30–105 52–287
Passing yards 122 189
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 13–25–1 6–7–0
Penalties–yards 5–34 1–5
Turnovers 1 0
Time of possession 27:55 32:05

vs Wyoming

Wyoming Cowboys (5–1) vs Air Force Falcons (5–0)
Period 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 14 7 0627
Falcons 7 10 71034

at Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, CO

  • Date: October 14, 2023
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m. MDT
  • Game weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 28,311
  • Referee: Cal McNeill
  • TV announcers (CBSSN): Rich Waltz (Play-by-play), Aaron Taylor (Analyst), & Justin Walters (Sideline)
  • ESPN – John Lee Eldridge III goes the distance, capping Air Force's rally past Wyoming[16] /// Goairforcefalcons.com – Wyoming (5-2 , 2-1) -VS- Air Force (6-0 , 4-0)[17]
Game information
First quarter
  • (10:23) WYO TD – Andrew Peasley 1-yard rush, John Hoyland kick
    Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:37; Wyoming 7–0
  • (03:59) WYO TD – Andrew Peasley 6-yard pass to Wyatt Wieland, John Hoyland kick
    Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards, 5:23; Wyoming 14–0
  • (00:26) AF TD – Owen Burk 15-yard rush, Matthew Dapore kick
    Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:33; Wyoming 14–7
Second quarter
  • (07:09) AF TD – Zac Larrier 17-yard pass to John Lee Eldridge III, Matthew Dapore kick
    Drive: 8 plays, 72 yards, 4:13; Tied 14–14
  • (01:43) WYO TD – Andrew Peasley 14-yard pass to Ayir Asante, John Hoyland kick
    Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 5:26; Wyoming 21–14
  • (00:00) AF FG – Matthew Dapore 24-yard field goal
    Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 1:43; Wyoming 21–17
Third quarter
  • (04:47) AF TD – Zac Larrier 1-yard rush, Matthew Dapore kick
    Drive: 17 plays, 75 yards, 10:13; Air Force 24–21
Fourth quarter
  • (11:31) AF FG – Matthew Dapore 43-yard field goal
    Drive: 11 plays, 45 yards, 5:02; Air Force 27–21
  • (06:14) WYO TD – Andrew Peasley 14-yard pass to Treyton Welch, John Hoyland PAT blocked
    Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards, 1:45; Tied 27–27
  • (02:17) AF TD – John Lee Eldridge III 58-yard rush, Matthew Dapore kick
    Drive: 3 plays, 65 yards, 1:13; Air Force 34–27
Passing
  • WYO – Andrew Peasley: 15/25, 212 yards, 3 TD
  • AF – Zac Larrier: 6/9, 58 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
  • WYO – Andrew Peasley: 13 carries, 48 yards, 1 TD
  • AF – Zac Larrier: 20 carries, 111 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
  • WYO – Sam Scott: 3 receptions, 43 yards
  • AF – Jared Roznos: 3 receptions, 34 yards
Defense
  • WYO – Easton Gibbs: 12 total tackles (7 solo, 5 assisted)
  • AF – Trey Taylor: 10 total tackles (7 solo, 3 assisted), 1 tackles for loss, 1 blocked kick

Statistics WYO AF
First downs 18 22
3rd down efficiency 9–15 7–10
4th down efficiency 1–2 1–1
Plays–yards 60–321 62–414
Rushes–yards 35–109 53–356
Passing yards 212 58
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 15–25–0 6–9–0
Penalties–yards 3–25 1–9
Turnovers 0 2
Time of possession 30:13 29:49

at Navy

No. 22 Air Force Falcons (6–0) at Navy Midshipmen (3–3)
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 22 Falcons 0 7 3717
Midshipmen 0 0 066

at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, MD

  • Date: October 21, 2023
  • Game time: 10:00 p.m. MDT
  • Game weather: Temperature: 61 °F (16 °C) • Wind: NW at 14 miles per hour (23 km/h) • Weather: Clear
  • Game attendance: 38,803
  • Referee: Jonathan Noli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Rich Waltz (Play-by-play), Aaron Taylor (Analyst), & Amanda Guerra (Sideline)
  • ESPN – Zac Larrier throws a 94-yard touchdown and No. 22 Air Force shuts down Navy 17-6[18] /// Goairforcefalcons.com – Air Force (7-0 , 4-0) -VS- Navy (3-4 , 2-2)[19]
Game information
First quarter
  • No Scoring
Second quarter
  • (14:48) AF TD – Zac Larrier 94-yard pass to Dane Kinamon, Matthew Dapore kick
    Drive: 2 plays, 94 yards, 0:29; Air Force 7–0
Third quarter
  • (05:55) AF FG – Matthew Dapore 40-yard field goal
    Drive: 9 plays, 35 yards, 4:27; Air Force 10–0
Fourth quarter
  • (03:51) AF TD – Alec Mock 18-yard interception return, Matthew Dapore kick
    Drive: 3 plays, 0 yards, 0:17; Air Force 17–0
  • (00:50) NAV TD – Tai Lavatai 10-yard pass to Eli Heidenreich, Two-Point conversion failed
    Drive: 15 plays, 78 yards, 3:01; Air Force 17–6
Passing
  • AF – Zac Larrier: 4/5, 151 yards, 1 TD
  • NAV – Tai Lavatai: 13/23, 96 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing
  • AF – Emmanuel Michel: 22 carries, 69 yards
  • NAV – Alex Tecza: 12 carries, 24 yards
Receiving
  • AF – Dane Kinamon: 1 reception, 94 yards, 1 TD
  • NAV – Alex Tecza: 4 receptions, 27 yards
Defense
  • AF – Johnathan Youngblood: 13 total tackles (7 solo, 6 assisted), 2 tackle for loss
  • NAV – Colin Ramos: 11 total tackles (4 solo, 7 assisted), 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss

Statistics AF NAV
First downs 8 10
3rd down efficiency 1–13 3–17
4th down efficiency 2–2 2–2
Plays–yards 53–288 64–124
Rushes–yards 48–137 35–22
Passing yards 151 102
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 4–5–0 15–29–2
Penalties–yards 5–30 4–50
Turnovers 1 2
Time of possession 31:44 28:16

For the game against Navy, Air Force commemorated the Doolittle Raiders with the 2023 edition of the Air Power Legacy Series uniforms.

The Doolittle Raiders were the 80 crew members of 16 B-25B Mitchell bombers who launched the first raid on mainland Japan during World War II on April 18, 1942, led by United States Army Air Force Lt. Col. James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle.

The uniform featured a chrome helmet with an image of a B-25 aircraft on the right side, while the left bore the Raiders squadron patch designed by the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Association. The jersey featured letters and numbers resembling the riveted aluminum used in the B-25's construction. The left sleeve featured another Raiders squadron patch. The pants featured the roundel logo on the left front, which includes the roundel that appeared on the aircraft. The Raiders mantra, "Ever into Peril", appeared down the right side of the pants, while the French translation "Toujours au Danger" is on the left leg.[20]

at Colorado State

No. 19 Air Force Falcons (7–0) at Colorado State Rams (3–4)
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 19 Falcons 7 6 10730
Rams 0 13 0013

at Canvas Stadium, Fort Collins, CO

  • Date: October 28, 2023
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m. MDT
  • Game weather: Temperature: 26 °F (−3 °C) • Wind: E at 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/h) • Weather: Snow
  • Game attendance: 22,570
  • Referee: Michael Cuttone
  • TV announcers (CBSSN): Rich Waltz (Play-by-play), Aaron Taylor (Analyst), & Brandon Baylor (Sideline)
  • ESPN – No. 19 Air Force overcomes snow, snowballs in 30-13 win over Colorado State to stay unbeaten[21] /// Goairforcefalcons.com – Air Force (8-0 , 5-0) -VS- Colorado St. (3-5 , 1-3)[22]
Game information
First quarter
  • (05:03) AF TD – Zac Larrier 9-yard pass to Dane Kinamon, Matthew Dapore kick
    Drive: 12 plays, 54 yards, 6:44; Air Force 7–0
Second quarter
  • (14:38) CSU TD – Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi 61-yard pass to Justus Ross-Simmons, Jordan Noyes kick
    Drive: 1 plays, 54 yards, 0:08; Tied 7–7
  • (07:15) CSU FG – Jordan Noyes 40-yard field goal
    Drive: 12 plays, 67 yards, 3:44; Colorado State 10–7'
  • (04:00) AF TD – John Lee Eldridge III 10-yard rush, Matthew Dapore PAT failed
    Drive: 3 plays, 11 yards, 1:31; Air Force 13–10
  • (00:45) CSU FG – Jordan Noyes 49-yard field goal
    Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 3:15; Tied 13–13'
Third quarter
  • (08:58) AF TD – Zac Larrier 1-yard rush, Matthew Dapore kick
    Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 6:02; Air Force 20–13
  • (00:45) AF FG – Matthew Dapore 29-yard field goal
    Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 4:47; Air Force 23–13'
Fourth quarter
  • (08:51) AF TD – Emmanuel Michel 5-yard rush, Matthew Dapore kick
    Drive: 3 plays, 36 yards, 2:00; Air Force 30–13
Passing
Rushing
  • AF – Emmanuel Michel: 20 carries, 130 yards, 1 TD
  • CSU – Vann Schield: 14 carries, 53 yards
Receiving
  • AF – Brandon Engel: 1 reception, 14 yards
  • CSU – Justus Ross-Simmons: 8 receptions, 128 yards, 1 TD
Defense
  • AF – Jalen Mergerson: 13 total tackles (9 solo, 4 assisted), 2 passes defended
  • CSU – Nuer Gatkuoth: 15 total tackles (3 solo, 12 assisted), 1.5 tackle for loss

Statistics AF CSU
First downs 18 17
3rd down efficiency 8–15 5–13
4th down efficiency 1–1 0–3
Plays–yards 64–293 64–339
Rushes–yards 57–261 19–42
Passing yards 32 297
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 4–7–0 28–45–0
Penalties–yards 2–15 5–54
Turnovers 0 1
Time of possession 35:58 24:02

vs Army

Army Black Knights (2–6) vs No. 25 Air Force Falcons (8–0)
Period 1 2 34Total
Black Knights 17 6 0023
No. 25 Falcons 0 3 003

at Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO

  • Date: November 4, 2023
  • Game time: 12:30 p.m. MDT
  • Game weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 52,401
  • Referee: Marcus Woods
  • TV announcers (CBSSN): John Sadak (Play-by-play), Randy Cross (Analyst), & Tina Cervasio (Sideline)
  • ESPN – Army's swarming defense forces 6 turnovers in 23-3 win, deals No. 17 Air Force first loss of season[23] /// Goairforcefalcons.com – Army West Point (3-6 , 0-0) -VS- Air Force (8-1 , 5-0)[24]
Game information
First quarter
  • (13:06) ARMY TD – Bryson Daily 62-yard rush, quinn Maretzki kick
    Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:54; Army 7–0
  • (09:42) ARMY FG – Quinn Maretzki 45-yard field goal
    Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 1:23; Army 10–0
  • (01:53) ARMY TD – Bryson Daily 5-yard rush, quinn Maretzki kick
    Drive: 11 plays, 43 yards, 6:12; Army 17–0
Second quarter
  • (13:14) ARMY FG – Quinn Maretzki 40-yard field goal
    Drive: 6 plays, 24 yards, 3:01; Army 20–0
  • (02:31) AF FG – Matthew Dapore 30-yard field goal
    Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 3:08; Army 20–3
  • (00:00) ARMY FG – Quinn Maretzki 38-yard field goal
    Drive: 3 plays, 4 yards, 0:19; Army 23–3
Third quarter
  • No Scoring
Fourth quarter
  • No Scoring
Passing
  • ARMY – Bryson Daily: 4/9, 40 yards
  • AF – Zac Larrier: 9/22, 93 yards, 2 INT
Rushing
  • ARMY – Bryson Daily: 36 carries, 170 yards, 2 TD
  • AF – Zac Larrier: 20 carries, 45 yards
Receiving
  • ARMY – Tryell Robinson: 1 reception, 23 yards
  • AF – Wyatt Wilson: 3 receptions, 47 yards
Defense
  • ARMY – Leo Lowin: 12 total tackles (9 solo, 3 assisted), 1 sack, 2 tackle for loss, 1 pass defended
  • AF – Jayden Goodwin: 12 total tackles (3 solo, 9 assisted), 0.5 tackle for loss

Statistics ARMY AF
First downs 11 19
3rd down efficiency 4–14 5–14
4th down efficiency 1–2 0–2
Plays–yards 60–253 64–259
Rushes–yards 51–213 40–155
Passing yards 40 104
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 4–9–0 10–24–2
Penalties–yards 11–119 6–55
Turnovers 0 6
Time of possession 32:09 27:51

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP————RVRVRV221917RV—————
CoachesRVRVRVRVRVRVRV221917RVRVRV——RV
CFPNot released25—————Not released

References

  1. ^ "2023 Air Force Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  2. ^ "Mountain West Football Media Predicts 2023 Order Of Finish". July 19, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  3. ^ "Air Force Falcons 2023 Regular Season NCAAF Schedule". ESPN. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  4. ^ "2023 Football Coaches". Air Force Academy Athletics. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  5. ^ "2023 Football Roster". Air Force Academy Athletics. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  6. ^ "https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/401532570". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  7. ^ "https://goairforcefalcons.com/sports/football/stats/2023/robert-morris/boxscore/15278". Goairforcefalcons.com. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  8. ^ "https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/293652005". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  9. ^ "https://goairforcefalcons.com/sports/football/stats/2023/sam-houston/boxscore/15279". Goairforcefalcons.com. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  10. ^ "https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/401532581". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  11. ^ "https://goairforcefalcons.com/sports/football/stats/2023/utah-state/boxscore/15280". Goairforcefalcons.com. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  12. ^ "https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/401532584". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  13. ^ "https://goairforcefalcons.com/sports/football/stats/2023/san-jose-state/boxscore/15281". Goairforcefalcons.com. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  14. ^ "https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/401532589". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  15. ^ "https://goairforcefalcons.com/sports/football/stats/2023/san-diego-state/boxscore/15282". Goairforcefalcons.com. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  16. ^ "https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/401532598". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  17. ^ "https://goairforcefalcons.com/sports/football/stats/2023/wyoming/boxscore/15283". Goairforcefalcons.com. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  18. ^ "https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/401531434". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
  19. ^ "https://goairforcefalcons.com/sports/football/stats/2023/navy/boxscore/15284". Goairforcefalcons.com. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
  20. ^ "Air Force to honor Doolittle Raiders with Air Power Legacy Series in 2023". Air Force Academy Athletics. August 15, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  21. ^ "https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/401532603". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
  22. ^ "https://goairforcefalcons.com/sports/football/stats/2023/colorado-state/boxscore/15285". Goairforcefalcons.com. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
  23. ^ "https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/401520361". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  24. ^ "https://goairforcefalcons.com/sports/football/stats/2023/army/boxscore/15286". Goairforcefalcons.com. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
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