*** NCAA Football Preview - Air Force ***
From The My Sportsbook
By Gregg Xenakes, College Football Staff Writer
2003 SEASON IN REVIEW: Having one of the more experienced head coaches in the Mountain West Conference (Fisher DeBerry 156-88-1 over 20 seasons with Air Force) can only take you so far year after year. As they did in 2002, the Falcons started off the 2003 campaign very strong with six wins in seven tries, the lone loss being a surprising 28-25 setback to Navy as part of the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy. Then came the bulk of their MWC schedule and the squad simply fell apart down the stretch, going from nationally-ranked foe to one that finished the year 7-5, 3-4 in league play, and without a postseason appearance. After scoring no less than 20 points in each of their first 10 games, the Falcons closed out 2003 with back-to-back defeats versus New Mexico and San Diego State on the road, combining to score just 15 points in those games. Air Force was again one of the more dominating rushing programs in the entire country, averaging just over 280 yards per game on the ground, but the aerial attack was virtually nonexistent, generating a mere 104.9 ypg and only eight touchdowns. Quarterback Chance Harridge carried the load again for the team, leading the way in scoring (72 points) thanks to 12 rushing scores, while kicker Joey Ashcroft. Even after having such a strong start to the campaign, Air Force placed just one player, linebacker Marcello Graddy, on the All-Mountain West First-Team.
2004 ANALYSIS:
OFFENSE: The Falcons fly in the face of their own nickname as they continue to try and attack defenses with their ground game. The team had one of the top rushing games in the nation last year, while the limited passing option was used rather sparingly, which is what the squad will more than likely do once again with their wishbone attack. In previous years the squad could get away with it, but this time around a lack of experience will certainly hurt any attempt to return to rushing prominence. Running backs Adam Cole and Darnell Stephens, along with wide receiver Alec Messerall, are the only returning starters on the offensive side of the ball, which means they will all be running along with a new front line that is unproven. The linemen who are set to fall into place, among them being John Peel as the only senior in the two- deep chart, do have talent, but only time will tell if they will be able to gel together quickly enough. At the quarterback position, which has essentially been the chief rushing spot for the last few years, Air Force expects to plug in Adam Fitch for the departed Harridge. Fitch completed a total of nine passes a season ago for 112 yards and a touchdown. Getting his share of the carries will again be Dan Shaffer, who last year appeared in all 12 games for the Falcons and gained 296 yards and three touchdowns on 67 attempts. One of the positives working in his favor was that he was the only player with more than two attempts, who was never caught behind the line of scrimmage.
DEFENSE: As it is with the offensive side of the ball, the Falcon defense is also going to have trouble filling not just gaps, but complete holes in the unit since only three starters return (LB John Rudzinski, LB Dennis Poland and DB Nate Allen). A new front line that will probably include the likes of Ryan Carter and Nathan Terrazone at the ends, with Russ Mitscherling anchoring the center spot, will need to get up to speed and learn each other's game rather quickly if the group is going to come anywhere close to the 168.9 ypg allowed on the ground from last season. Rudzinski and Poland placed fifth and sixth in tackles a year ago with 65 and 64, respectively, but combined for only 9.5 TFLs, although Poland did top the unit with a pair of forced fumbles. Rudzinski, whose father Paul played with the Green Bay Packers, should produce far better numbers in 2004, after being hobbled with a bad ankle a year ago. As far as the secondary is concerned, cornerback Nate Allen, who returned one of his two interceptions last year 79 yards for a score, is one of the better cover men in the Mountain West, and with David Conley getting the start on the other side, it will be tough for opposing offenses to take a shot at Allen. After spurning the interests of many a Big Ten Conference school, sophomore Cole Morton is expected to be a huge contributor to the group this year, with players such as John Taibi and Mark Carlson also making their presence felt as well.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Short and sweet with respect to the special teams; the Falcons need it all. Field goal kicker Joey Ashcroft, who was 13-of-21, including 4- of-10 from 40 yards and beyond, is gone as is punter Andrew Martin, after averaging 43.2 yards per kick, landing nine of his attempts inside the opponent's 20-yard line. At least in the case of the punting position, Donny Heaton could and should be the one to fill the void, since he did prove to the rest of the team last year that he can get the job done with his one kick traveling 54 yards. The field goal kicking is not as clear cut though, with a possibility of perhaps Daniel Wasson, a member of the academy's soccer team, strapping on a helmet. Also competing for the position will be Michael Greenaway, Scott Eberle and Taylor Brown. If all that were not enough, Air Force also needs to enlist the assistance of a new long snapper in order to give the new kickers a chance to do their jobs effectively.
OUTLOOK: Right off the bat the Falcons get tested this season with a September 4th date against California, a contest that will be broadcast nationally so all can see what sort of shape Air Force is in. As for the other non- conference games for the team, Eastern Michigan the following week should fall in their favor, while the Army and Navy contests hold the key to another Commander-in-Chief Trophy (the 15th time under DeBerry). Air Force could contend for one of the bowl games that the Mountain West is tied into, but it probably should be considered a rebuilding year for the team.
