Football Athletic Communications/2169 Field House Dr./USAF Academy, CO 80840/(719) /goairforcefalcons.com

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1 General Information Location:...Colorado Springs, CO Enrollment:...4,000 Founded: Nickname:...Falcons Colors (PMS):...Blue (287), Silver (877) Stadium:...Falcon Stadium Capacity:... 46,692 Surface:...FieldTurf Conference:...Mountain West Superintendent:...Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson Athletic Director:... Jim Knowlton Athletic Phone: Athletic Fax: Ticket Managers:... Connor Kruggel/Jon Morris Ticket Phone: Website:...goairforcefalcons.com Mailing Address: Field House Dr. USAF Academy, CO Air Force Coaching Staff Name, Position (year at Air Force) Alma Mater, Year (Game day position) Troy Calhoun, Head Coach (10th) Air Force, 1989 (Field) Jake Campbell, Asst. Off. Backfield (5th) Air Force, 1996 (Field) Tim Cross, Defensive Line (3rd) Northern Colorado, 1990 (Field) Clay Hendrix, Assoc. HC/Off. Line (10th) Furman, 1986 (Field) Steed Lobotzke, TEs (2nd) Air Force, 1992 (Field) Matt McGettigan, Strength/Cond. (10th) Luther College, 1987 (Field) Ben Miller, RBs/Special Teams Coord. (10th) Air Force, 2002 (Field) Jake Moreland, WRs (4th) Western Michigan, 2000 (Field) John Rudzinski, Secondary (7th) Air Force, 2005 (Press Box) Steve Russ, Asst. HC/Def. Coord./DBs (5th) Air Force, 1995 (Field) Mike Thiessen, Offensive Coord./WRs (10th) Air Force, 2001 (Field) Ron Vanderlinden, Inside LBs (3rd) Albion College, 1978 (Field) Maj. Ross Weaver, Asst. OL (3rd) Air Force, 2006 (Press Box) Matt Weikert, Outside LBs (10th) Ohio, 2002 (Press Box) Maj. Dylan Newman, Senior Military Rep. (2nd) Air Force, 1999 (Press Box) 2nd. Lt. Connor Healy, Grad. Asst. (1st) Air Force, 2016 (Field) 2nd. Lt. Garrett Brown, Grad. Asst. (1st) Air Force, 2016 (Press Box) Air Force Football Athletic Communications/2169 Field House Dr./USAF Academy, CO 80840/(719) /goairforcefalcons.com Air Force vs. Abilene Christian Saturday, Sept. 3, Noon MT, Falcon Stadium BROADCAST INFORMATION Internet: Mountain West Network-Campus Insiders, Twitter Watch Live: goairforcefalcons.com/video Ray Crawford (play-by-play), Darius Walker (analyst), Shae Peppler (sidelines) RADIO: KVOR AM 740 in Colorado Springs, CO; The Fan in Denver; goairforcefalcons.com Jim Arthur (play-by-play), Jesse Kurtz (analyst) THE BREAKDOWN Category Air Force Abilene Christian Overall Record: Conference Record: Streak:... L 3...L 1 Rankings:... NR...NR Last Season: (6-2 MW/1st Mtn Div) (3-6 Southland/9th) Conference:... Mountain West...Southland Nickname:... Falcons...Wildcats Location:... Colorado Springs, CO...Abilene, TX Head Coach:... Troy Calhoun...Ken Collums Alma Mater (Year):... Air Force, Central Arkansas, 1995 Record: (10th year) (5th year) Record at School:... Same...Same Record vs. Opponent: NOTES This weekend is Parents Weekend at the Air Force Academy. The Falcons are overall in season openers, including a 33-8 mark at home. Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun is 9-0 in season openers. Air Force and Abilene Christian are meeting for the first time. Air Force is in Falcon Stadium under head coach Troy Calhoun, including a school-record 12 game winning streak dating back to Air Force has scored in a school record 285 consecutive games. The streak is the third longest active streak in the nation. Air Force has won 18 straight season openers vs. unranked teams dating back to a setback vs. Colorado State in Air Force Schedule/Results Day Date Time Opponent (TV) Result Sat. Sept. 3 Noon Abilene Christian (MWN-CI/Twitter) Sat. Sept. 10 Noon Georgia State (MWN-CI) Sat. Sept. 24 TBA at Utah State* (ESPN Networks) Sat. Oct. 1 1:30 p.m. Navy (CBSSN) Sat. Oct. 8 1:30 p.m. at Wyoming* (ROOT) Sat. Oct. 15 TBA New Mexico*# (ESPN Networks) Sat. Oct. 22 Noon Hawai i* (Oceanic) Fri. Oct. 28 7:30 p.m. at Fresno State* (CBSSN) Sat. Nov p.m. at Army (CBSSN) Sat. Nov. 12 TBA Colorado State* (ESPN Networks) Sat. Nov. 19 7:30 p.m. at San Jose State* (CBSSN) Fri. Nov. 25 1:30 p.m. Boise State* (ESPN2) Sat. Dec. 3 TBA MW Championship game *-Mountain West game; Times local to site; #-Cotton Bowl, Dallas, TX

2 Media Information SIMPLE GUIDELINES: Ease of access that prioritizes each cadet s educational pursuits and rehabilitative treatment; make sure freshmen and sophomores have ample chance during the first half of the semester to acclimate with their class schedules and military squadrons; and simple to follow cadets during intramural and intercollegiate athletic practices and games. MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Football Practices: Air Force prefers open football practices. Frequently opening practices allow faculty, followers and service members a chance to be in the midst of drills led by coaches and performed by the cadets. In the bigger scope this access provides the opportunity to observe the training of officer candidates during an Academy mission element. Open practice guidelines include refraining of scouting for an opponent or reporting during practices to include injuries or tactics. Cell Phone Use: Out of respect for those attending or participating in practices, while on the practice field during workouts please silence cell phones. If you need to take or make a call, please exit the field before doing so. Video/Photography: Video and photography during practices can be done by those who are first cleared through the Air Force media relations staff. Starting August 29, video and photographers cleared through the media relations staff may shoot film during pre-practice and periods 1-5 on Mondays and Tuesdays. Player and Coaches Availability: Open practices make it very easy to observe team members during athletic activities at the Air Force Academy. Player interviews prioritize each cadet s academic, military, squadron and leadership obligations in addition to any needed physical rehabilitation/treatment. Because treatment time may be necessary, players must physically complete the previous practice or game. Seniors and Juniors: Starting August 29 eight junior and senior cadets will be accessible on Mondays on the field immediately after practice. Tuesdays eight others will be available before practice from 1-1:30 pm. in the media room. Sophomores and Freshmen: Sophomores and freshmen are available following each game and every Tuesday starting October 11 (after middle of semester) before practice from 1-1:30 p.m. in the media room. Coaches: Assistant coaches are available immediately on the field after practice from Aug. 29 to Sept. 19. Air Force Head Coach Troy Calhoun is available on Mondays immediately after practice ont he field. He is also be available during his weekly media teleconference on Tuesdays from 12:30 1:00 p.m. in the Air Force Academy media room. Media should contact media relations for the call-in number to join the teleconference. WEEKLY RADIO SHOW Falcon Talk with Troy Calhoun, the weekly football radio show, is set for the 2016 season. The show will be broadcast live on KVOR AM 740 at CB & Potts from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. each Wednesday, starting Aug. 31. The show will be hosted by KVOR s Jim Arthur. Show dates follow: Wed, Aug 31; Wed, Sep 7; Wed, Sep 21; Wed, Sep 28; Wed, Oct 5; Wed, Oct 12; Wed, Oct 19; Wed, Oct 26; Wed, Nov 2; Wed, Nov 9; Wed, Nov 16; Wed, Nov 23. WEEKLY TELEVISION SHOW The Falcon Sports Report, the weekly football television show, airs Thursday, Friday and Saturday each week beginning Sept. 1 on Altitude Sports and Entertainment. The show features head coach Troy Calhoun and is hosted by Todd Romero and former Falcon Ted Sundquist. The show airs Thursdays at 11 p.m. with reair on Fridays at 5 p.m. and Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. AIR FORCE FOOTBALL HIGHLIGHTS Highlights from each game, plus post-game interviews from head coach Troy Calhoun and select players will be available on the Air Force FTP website. Instructions to download follow: HOST: USERNAME: mwn PASSWORD: QzCgw1E COLLEGEPRESSBOX.COM Collegepressbox.com is the official media website for Mountain West Conference football. Access and download weekly game notes, photos, quotes, statistics, media guides and more for the conference and each of its nine member schools throughout the season. Apply for a password by sending an to password@collegepressbox.com. Air Force Weekly Schedule (Abilene Christian) Monday (8/29) Practice, 3:45 to 5:15 p.m. Up to eight players (juniors and seniors only), Coach Calhoun and assistants available after practice. (Media Room open until 5 p.m.) Tuesday (8/30) Weekly Press Teleconference Media can contact athletic communications office for call-in number. Coach Calhoun available at 12:30 p.m. Players available 1-1:45 p.m. Up to eight different players (juniors or seniors only). Requests must be coordinated one day in advance. (Media Room open until 5 p.m.) Practice, 3:45 to 5:15 p.m. Wednesday (8/31) Practice, 3:45 to 5:15 p.m. No player or coach availability. Thursday (9/1) Practice, 3:45 to 5:15 p.m. No player or coach availability. Friday (9/2) No practice No player or coach availability. Saturday (9/3) Air Force vs. Abilene Christian Saturday, Sept. 3, Noon MT Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, CO Post-Game Players and coach Calhoun available for postgame interviews following 10-minute coolingoff period in the media room at the south end of the field. Air Force players and coaches are NOT available as they are leaving the field. Sunday (9/4) No practice No player or coach availability. Media Contacts Troy Garnhart, assoc. AD/communications Office: Cell: troy.garnhart@usafa.edu Dave Toller, asst. AD/media relations Office: Cell: dave.toller@usafa.edu Nick Arseniak, assistant director Office: Cell: nicholas.arseniak@usafa.edu Falcon Stadium Press Box Phone Air Force Football 2

3 Game Center THE SERIES Air Force and Abilene Christian are meeting for the first time. AIR FORCE VS. FCS TEAMS Air Force is 20-0 all-time against teams from the Football Championship Subdivision. Head Coach Troy Calhoun is 10-0, including last season s 63-7 win vs. Morgan State to open the season. SEASON OPENERS Air Force is in season openers, including a 34-8 mark in season openers at home. Air Force has won nine straight and 10 of the last 12 season openers with the only losses coming at No. 11 Tennessee in 2006 and vs. No. 13 California in The Falcons have won 11 of the last 12 season openers at home with the only loss coming vs. No. 13 California in Air Force has won 18 straight season openers vs. unranked teams dating back to a setback vs. Colorado State in Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun is 9-0 in season openers, all coming at home. Air Force Season Openers Under Troy Calhoun Year Opponent Result 2015 Morgan State W Nicholls State W Colgate W Idaho State W South Dakota W Northwestern State W Nicholls State W Southern Utah W South Carolina State W 34-3 AIR FORCE VS. NON-CONFERENCE FOES UNDER CALHOUN Air Force is against non-conference opponents under head coach Troy Calhoun. The Falcons are 17-3 at home, 6-11 on the road and 4-5 in neutral site games. Air Force was 2-3 last season in non-conference games. LOOKING BACK AT LAST SEASON S OPENER Air Force rolled to a 63-7 victory vs. Morgan State in Falcon Stadium to open the 2015 season. The Falcons compiled 513 total yards, including 394 rushing, while holding the Bears to just 195. Air Force had nine different Falcons score touchdowns with seven coming on the ground. Quarterback Nate Romine hit four of seven passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns while D.J. Johnson pounded out 82 yards rushing and a score. Senior WR Garrett Brown had 180 all-purpose yards and scored on a 75 yard punt return, the sixth longest return in school history. Brown puntreturn score is the first by a Falcon since He also had two catches for a team-best 58 yards and rushed for 39 yards on three carries. The defense was solid the entire game. Grant Ross led the Falcons with five tackles and a sack while six Falcons all had four tackles each. The defense had seven tackles for loss, including five sacks. The 56-point victory margin is the fifth largest in school history and biggest since a school record 72 points margin over Nicholls State, 72-0, in Air Force s 63 points tie as the eighth most in school history and are the most since scoring 65 vs. Northwestern State in LOOKING BACK AT 2015 Air Force finished 8-6 overall and won the Mountain Division Championship with a 6-2 record. Statistical Comparisons - Final 2015 Statistics 14 Games 11 Games Category Air Force Opponent Abilene Christian Opponent Points/Gm 473/ / / /32.5 First downs (R-P-Pen) 300 ( ) 230 ( ) 217 ( ) 235 ( ) Rushing (#-Yds) 816-4, , , ,568) Rushing avg Passing (C-A-I) Passing yards 1,847 2,942 2,698 2,411 Passing avg Total off. (#-Yds) 986-6, ,968 3,934 4,979 Avg. Yd.s/play Total off. Avg Punting (#-Avg) Fumbles-lost Penalties-yds rd downs 43% (84-195) 37% (73-199) 47% (67-142) 47% (75-158) Possession time 32:21 27:30 30:31 29:29 Mountain West Conference Mountain Division Team MW All Games Air Force Boise State Colorado State New Mexico Utah State Wyoming West Division Team MW All Games Fresno State Hawai i Nevada San Diego State San Jose State UNLV THIS WEEK Thursday, Sept. 1 Weber State at Utah State, 6 p.m. (MWN-CI) South Dakota at New Mexico, 7 p.m. (ROOT) Jackson State at UNLV, 7 p.m. (MWN-CI) Friday, Sept. 2 Colorado State at Colorado, 6 p.m. (ESPN) Saturday, Sept. 3 Boise State at Louisiana, 11 a.m. (ASN/ESPN3) Hawai i at Michigan, Noon (ESPN) Abilene Christian at Air Force, Noon (MWN-CI) New Hampshire at San Diego State, 5:30 p.m. San Jose State at Tulsa, 6 p.m. (CBS SN) Fresno State at Nebraska, 7 p.m. (Big Ten Net) Northern Illinois at Wyoming, 8:30 p.m. (CBS SN) Cal Poly at Nevada All times local LAST WEEK California 51, Hawai i 31 Game played in Australia MW COMMUNICATIONS STAFF Football Contacts Javan Hedlund, associate commissioner (Primary football contact) Office: Cell: jhedlund@themw.com Stuart Buchanan, assistant director (Secondary football contact) Office: Cell: sbuchanan@themw.com Air Force Football 3

4 The Falcons played in their first Mountain West Championship and qualified for its 25th bowl game. Air Force took on Pac-12 member California in the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas. The Falcons have earned a bowl bid eight times in head coach Troy Calhoun s nine seasons. Air Force s 18 wins in tie as the third most in consecutive seasons in Air Force history. The seasons mark the seventh time in Air Force history the program has combined for 18 wins in consecutive seasons. Air Force s eight wins last season mark the sixth time in head coach Troy s Calhoun s nine seasons the team has won eight or more games. Air Force s six conference wins tie as the most in head coach Troy Calhoun s nine seasons. AIR FORCE AT HOME Air Force is in Falcon Stadium under head coach Troy Calhoun, including a school-record 12 game winning streak dating back to The Falcons has finished 6-0 at home the last two seasons to mark the first back-to-back undefeated home seasons in school history. Air Force has finished undefeated at home just five times overall in school history, three coming under Calhoun. Air Force s 12 wins in two seasons is a school record, breaking the mark of 11 set in Year Rec. Notes Combined with 2014, team has a school-record 12 game home winning streak Fourth 6-0 mark in AF history, second under Calhoun Lone losing record in Calhoun era Second-best mark in school history Sixth time with four or more wins in Calhoun era Combined with 2009, 10 wins in two seasons is third-best in AF history Second-best mark in school history Two loses at the hands of nationally ranked teams Just the third undefeated home record in school history Total Most home wins in consecutive years # Years Wins Record : 6-0 in 2014, 6-0 in : 5-1 in 1997, 6-0 in : 4-1 in in : 5-1 in 2009, 5-1 in 2010 FALCONS LEADING AT HOME Air Force trailed for only 10:19 in the six games last season and did not trail at all in five of them. The team was only tied a total of 88:51. Fresno State scored the first 14 points in the first quarter, but Air Force came back with 42 unanswered points and tied the game early in the second quarter and took the lead for good midway through the second quarter. Game Time Trailed Time Tied Morgan State 0:00 5:01 San Jose State 0:00 18:45 Wyoming 0:00 15:39 Fresno State 10:19 12:43 Army 0:00 26:30 Utah State 0:00 10:31 Totals 10:19 88:51 NUMBERS ADDING UP Air Force s 18 wins in tie as the third most in consecutive seasons in Air Force history. The seasons mark the seventh time in Air Force history the program has combined for 18 wins in consecutive seasons. Air Force s eight wins in 2015 mark the sixth time in head coach Troy s Calhoun s nine seasons the team has won eight or more games. Air Force reached eight wins in a season for the 21st time in school history. Air Force s six conference wins tie as the most in head coach Troy Calhoun s nine seasons. The 2007 team also won six conference games. Air Force Statistical Rankings 2015 Statistics TEAM Category Stats MWC NCAA Scoring Offense nd 39th Scoring Defense rd 48th Passing Offense th 122nd Passing Defense th 46th Kickoff Returns th 71st Rushing Offense st 4th Rushing Defense rd 36th Total Offense nd 33rd Total Defense th 32nd Punt Returns 9.3 7th 54th Net Punting th 92nd Turnover Margin th 98th Passing Efficiency st 15th Passing Eff. Def th 74th First Downs 301 T2nd T35th Opp. First Downs 230 4th 23rd Sacks For 37 1st T23rd Sacks Against 3 1st 1st Third Down % rd 34th Third Down Def th 48th Penalties nd 7th Field Goal % rd -- PAT Kicking th -- Fourth Downs % 60.9 T4th T33rd Time of Possession 32:20 3rd 21st Kickoff Coverage th -- Red Zone offense th 66th Red Zone defense th T50th INDIVIDUAL Player Stats MWC NCAA Jacobi Owens Rushing th -- Karson Roberts Passing th -- Total Offense th -- Weston Steelhammer Interceptions.36 6th T36th Passes Defended.86 8th -- Timothy McVey Scoring 5.6 9th -- Scoring TDs 5.6 4th -- Alex Hansen Sacks.54 T4th -- Tackles for Loss th -- D.J. Dunn, Jr. Sacks.46 9th -- Fumbles Rec..23 3rd T17th Roland Ladipo Passes Defended st 17th Most AF wins in consecutive seasons # Years Wins (10 in 1997, 12 in 1998) (8 in 1984, 12 in 1985) (10 in 2014, 8 in 2015) (12 in 1998, 6 in 1999) (12 in 1985, 6 in 1988) (10 in 1983, 8 in 1984) (8 in 1982, 10 in 1983) SIX 100-YARD RUSHERS LED NATION Air Force had six players rush for 100 or more yards in a game last season which led the nation. Colorado was next with five players, followed by Houston and Baylor with four each. Air Force s Air Force Football 4

5 100-yard rushers follows below. Name vs. Opponent (Att-Yds-TDs) Nate Romine vs. San Jose State ( ) D.J. Johnson vs. San Jose State ( ) Shayne Davern vs. Wyoming ( ) Bryan Driskell vs. Fresno State ( ) Jacobi Owens vs. Fresno State ( ); Hawai i ( ); Boise State ( ); San Diego State ( ) Timothy McVey vs. Hawai i ( ); New Mexico ( ) THIS AND THAT Air Force is 36-2 when allowing less than 20 points per game under head coach Troy Calhoun. The Falcons are when leading at the half and 61-8 when leading after three quarters under head coach Troy Calhoun. Air Force held five of six home opponents to under 20 points in Air Force was 6-0 at home last season and has won a school-record 12 straight at home, breaking the record of nine set from The team s 12 home wins in consecutive seasons is a school record, breaking the mark of 11 set in AIR FORCE SCORING STREAK Air Force has scored in a school record 285 consecutive games. The streak is the third longest active streak in the nation. The streak is the fifth longest in Division I-A history. The Falcons were last shutout by Mississippi, 13-0, in the 1992 Liberty Bowl. Longest Active NCAA Scoring Streaks # School Streak Last Shutout 1. Florida 347 Oct. 29, 1988 vs. Auburn (0-16) 2. TCU 293 Nov. 16, 1991 at Texas (0-32) 3. Air Force (MW) 285 Dec. 31, 1992 vs. Ole Miss (0-13), Liberty Bowl All-Time NCAA Scoring Streaks # School Streak Dates Ended By 1. Michigan /27/1984-9/6/14 Notre Dame 2. Brigham Young 361 9/27/ /15/2003 Utah 3. Florida /5/ Present TCU /23/ Present Air Force 285 8/4/ Present --- BLOCKED KICKS Air Force has blocked at least one kick in each of Troy Calhoun s nine seasons. Air Force blocked three last season: PAT vs. San Jose State, FGs vs. Michigan State, Boise State. Air Force has blocked 29 kicks since 2007 under head coach Troy Calhoun. Air Force has blocked 127 kicks since 1990 when the program began tracking them. The breakdown: 54 punts, 40 field goals and 33 PATs. Blocked kicks since 2007 Year Total FG PAT Punt Total Air Force Football Misc... THIS IS AIR FORCE FOOTBALL Air Force is in non-conference games as a member of the Mountain West. Air Force has an all-time record of in its 60th season of varsity football. The Falcons are at home, on the road and in neutral site games. AFA has played in 25 bowl games and has an all-time record. Air Force is all-time in Falcon Stadium. Air Force is playing in its 36th year in a conference. The 2015 season marks the school s 17th year in the Mountain West Conference. Prior to 1999, Air Force was a member of the Western Athletic Conference from The school was an independent prior to Air Force is as a member of the Mountain West. The team is at home and on the road. The Falcons are overall since joining the MW in 1999, including marks of at home, on the road, 7-7 in neutral site games and 5-5 in bowls. ALL-TIME OVERTIME RESULTS Air Force is 7-5 overall and 5-2 in conference overtime games. The Falcons are 4-2 at home and 3-3 on the road. Year Game Result 2014 Nevada* W Navy L Navy W at Navy L at Utah* L TCU* W Utah* L OT 2002 New Mexico* W at Notre Dame L San Diego State* W at Notre Dame W at Fresno State* W * - Conference game MORE ON BLOCKED KICKS Air Force has blocked 12 kicks since 2013 which ranks fourth in the nation. Only BYU (15), Georgia Tech (14) and Temple (14) has blocked more. The breakdown follows: 5 FG, 6 PATs, 1 Punt National blocked kick leaders since BYU Georgia Tech Temple Air Force Alabama Southern Cal Middle Tennessee 9 FIU 9 Air Force Football 5

6 AIR FORCE AMONG THE ALL-TIME BEST IN RUSHING Air Force has had 43 players rush for over 1,000 yards and 11 for over 2,000 yards in school history. The Falcons rank 13th nationally in 1,000-yard rushers and 25th in 2,000-yard rushers. Oklahoma leads the way in both categories with 71 and 29, respectively. Ohio State is second with 66 1,000-yard rushers while Southern Cal is third with 65. Nebraska is second in 2,000-yard rushers with 28 followed by Ohio State with 22. DEBERRY, CALHOUN THE ONLY TWO Air Force has had only two head coaches the last 33 years which is the fewest in the nation over that time span. DeBerry led the program for 23 years ( ) while Calhoun has been at the helm since 2007 and is in his 10th season. AIR FORCE TIED FOR FIRST IN GRADUATES ON STAFF Air Force has nine coaches on its coaching staff which is tied with BYU and the most in the nation. Boise State is third with five while Hawai i and Wisconsin are tied for fifth with four each. Auburn, Ball State, Clemson, Iowa, UMass, Missouri, Troy, Utah and Utah State all have three. CALHOUN ONE OF 13 TO LEAD ALMA MATER Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun is one of 13 to be the head coach at his alma mater in Calhoun is a 1989 Academy graduate. The complete is follows: Troy Calhoun (Air Force), John Bonamego (Central Michigan), Paul Chryst (Wisconsin), Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern), Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State), Jim Harbaugh (Michigan), Bryan Harsin (Boise State), Paul Haynes (Kent State), Kliff Kingsbury (Texas Tech), Sean Kugler (UTEP), David Shaw (Stanford), Kalani Sitake (BYU), Matt Wells (Utah State). CALHOUN S TENURE RANKS NINTH NATIONALLY Troy Calhoun enters his 10th season at head coach at Air Force. His 10-year tenure is the 10th longest among active coaches in the nation. Bob Stoops of Oklahoma and Iowa s Kirk Ferentz led the way in their 18th seasons. Gary Patterson of TCU is in his 16th season which is third. Kyle Whittingham (Utah) and Frank Solich (Ohio) are tied for fourth at 13 years, followed by Les Miles (LSU), Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State) and Rick Stockstill (Middle Tennessee) in their 12th seasons. Mark Dantonio of Michigan State and Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern) are tied with Calhoun in the ninth position. AIR FORCE ATHLETICS POSTS RECORD Air Force capped a record-setting athletic year by finishing 55th in the final Learfield Director s Cup standings for Air Force s ranking is the best in school history and marks the first time in school history the Falcons have led the Mountain West. This season marks Air Force s fifth straight leading the three service academies. Air Force s previous best year came in with points to finish 73rd nationally and third in the Mountain West. Air Force improved by 178 points, 22 places in the national rankings and a fourth place MW finish from the previous year. The standings are based on points earned for national championships, national championship appearances and individual All-American titles and places taken at national championship events. Air Force had a school-record 52 cadet-athletes earn All-American honors. In addition, though not considered in the cup standings, Air Force had 12 coach of the year honors and tied a school record with five conference championships (men s cross country, men s indoor track and field, men s outdoor track and field, men s swimming and diving and lacrosse). Learfield Director s Cup Standings for Air Force Mountain West Rankings Non-Power 5 Conference Schools # School (NR) Points # School Rank 1. Air Force (55) BYU 30th 2. New Mexico (63) Princeton 33rd 3. Boise State (70) Denver 52nd 4. San Diego State (87) Air Force 55th Service Academies # School (NR) Points 1. Air Force (55) Navy (78) Army (197) 70.5 TWO NEW VIDEO BOARDS IN FALCON STADIUM FOR 2016 Air Force athletics upgraded the scoreboard in Falcon Stadium. The board is the first of several renovations to Falcon Stadium that are being planned. A fundraising campaign for the stadium was announced in last spring and the video board is the first step. The video board is the largest in the Mountain West and among the service academies, a goal that Knowlton had earlier stated. The board is over 2,500 square feet of HD video display (dimensions are 31-2 by 82-8) and includes a state-of-the-art audio system. Manufactured by market leader Daktrontics of Brookings, S.D., the video board comes with new HD ribbon displays for the north and south end zones and a new marquee on Falcon Stadium Blvd. The Academy later added a second HD board in the northeast corner that is 1,500 square feet through a partnership with IMG and USAA. Air Force s Record When... Month 2016 Calhoun August September October November December Air Force s Conference Record at home on the road neutral Air Force s Non-Conference Record at home on the road neutral Air Force s record in games... decided by 7 points or less decided by 3 points or less Away during the day Away at night Home during the day Home at night Air Force s record when scoring... less than 20 points points points points points Air Force s record when allowing... less than 20 points points points points points Air Force s record when... leading at halftime trailing at halftime tied at halftime leading after 3rd quarter trailing after 3rd quarter when tied after 3rd quarter when scoring first when opponent scores first when out-rushing opponent when opponent out-rushes with more total yards when opponent has more with a 100-yard rusher Air Force s record in... Thursday night games Friday night games Saturday games Bowl games Overtime games Nationally-televised games Regionally-televised games Games without television Air Force Football 6

7 FORMER ALL-AMERICAN TO LEAD FALCONS ON ALUMNI WEEKEND Carson Bird, a 2008 Academy graduate and a 2007 All-American defensive back, will serve as an honorary co-captain for Alumni Weekend, Sept Bird is currently battling chondrosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. A first-team all-conference cornerback in 2007, Bird will be the keynote speaker at the Pride Club Golf Tournament at the Country Club of Colorado (open to all Air Force intercollegiate alumni & supporters). Bird will also serve as the keynote speaker at the Bolt Brotherhood Alumni Dinner & Social at Cheyenne Mountain Resort. Bird, and his wife Brittany, will lead the Falcon football team out of the tunnel for the Georgia State game on Saturday, Sept. 10, at noon in Falcon Stadium. The Falcons will be wearing the Airpower Legacy Series uniforms and helmets for the GSU game. AIR FORCE FOOTBALL TEAM HAS HIGHEST GSR IN MW, AMONG SERVICE ACADEMIES The Air Force football program has a graduation success rate of 87, according to the latest date released by the NCAA. The Falcons have the highest GSR in the Mountain West and among the three service academies. The score is the 10th best in the nation. Essentially, that translates to over 90 percent of the recruited varsity athletes that entered the Academy during the four year period of either graduated from the Academy or left academically eligible GSR Rankings Nationally Service Academies Mountain West # School Score # School Score # School Score 1 Stanford Air Force Air Force 87 2 Northwestern Army Utah State 86 3 Rice Navy Boise State 84 4 Duke Colorado State 74 5 Notre Dame 93 San Diego State 74 6 Central Florida 90 Wake Forest 90 8 Boston College 89 UCLA Air Force 87 AIR FORCE TO HOST NEW MEXICO AT COTTON BOWL OCT. 15 Air Force will host New Mexico on Saturday, Oct. 15, at historic Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, during the State Fair of Texas. The kickoff time and television network are to be announced as part of the Mountain West s television package. Air Force s 2016 season roster features 28 players from the state of Texas. SMU and TCU fans will also have an opportunity to watch college football in person that day, as both schools have bye weeks. Tickets are available by visiting the Air Force website at goairforcefalcons.com. Prices are $45, $100 and $175 depending on location and include admission to the Texas State Fair. About Cotton Bowl Stadium Located in Dallas, Texas, Cotton Bowl Stadium opened in Originally known as Fair Park Stadium, it is located in Fair Park, site of the State Fair of Texas. Concerts or other events using a stage allow the playing field to be used for additional spectators. The Cotton Bowl was the longtime home of the annual college football post-season bowl game known as the Cotton Bowl Classic, for which the stadium is named. In January 2010, the game was moved to Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. The Cowboys hosted the Green Bay Packers for the 1966 NFL championship at the Cotton Bowl. Artificial turf was installed in 1970 and removed in 1993 in preparation for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The stadium has been home to many football teams over the years, including: SMU Mustangs (NCAA), Dallas Cowboys (NFL; ), Dallas Texans (NFL) (1952), Dallas Texans (prior to moving to Kansas City) (AFL; ), and soccer teams, the Dallas Tornado (NASL; ), and FC Dallas (the Dallas Burn before 2005) (Major League Soccer; , ). It was also one of the nine venues used for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. About the State Fair of Texas Since its inception in 1886, the State Fair of Texas has celebrated all things Texan by promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement through quality entertainment in a familyfriendly environment. The State Fair of Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with proceeds helping to preserve and improve the Fair and Fair Park, and underwrite museum, community and scholarship programs for inner city youth and students pursuing agricultural careers. The 2015 exposition runs September 25 through October 18 in Fair Park. Visit BigTex.com for more information. AIR FORCE S SIX 10-YEAR STAFF MEMBERS MOST IN NCAA Air Force has six coaches that have been on the coaching staff for all of Troy Calhoun s 10 seasons. Along with the head coach, Clay Hendrix (OL), Matt McGettigan (Strength), Ben Miller (RBs/ Special Teams), Mike Thiessen (OC/QBs) and Matt Weikert (OLBs) are in their 10th season at the Academy. Navy is tied with Air Force with six staff members, while Michigan State follows with five and TCU is next with four. Air Force Rushing Air Force won the Mountain West rushing title and and ranked fourth nationally in rushing with a average. Air Force has won 30 conference rushing titles since joining conference play in In 2002, the Falcons won the school s first national rushing title with a per-game average. Year Stats Conf. National th 79th th 53rd st 4th st 2nd st 2nd st 6th st 15th st 2nd st 2nd st 3rd st 7th st 2nd nd 7th st 4th st 2nd st 2nd st 2nd nd 9th st 3rd st 2nd st 2nd st 3rd st 1st st 4th st 4th st 8th st 3rd st 2nd st 6th st 3rd st 2nd st 3rd st 2nd nd 13th nd 6th st 4th WEEK-BY-WEEK NATIONAL RANK # MW/Nat l 1. 1/5 (394.0) 2. 1/5 (411.0) 3. 1/3 (367.0) 4. 1/2 (367.0) 5. 1/5 (326.5) 6. 1/5 (320.8) 7. 1/5 (312.2) 8. 1/3 (333.0) 9. 1/2 (353.4) 10. 1/2 (335.9) 11. 1/3 (333.2) 12. 1/3 (332.7) 13. 1/3 (323.5) 14. 1/3 (322.1) 15. 1/4 (319.4) - FINAL Air Force Football 7

8 AIR FORCE TO KICKOFF AIRPOWER LEGACY SERIES FOR GEORGIA STATE GAME The Airpower Legacy Series was developed by the Air Force Academy athletic department to promote and celebrate the history of the Air Force s aircraft. The series begins this year with the football team wearing an alternate uniform for the Georgia State game on Sept. 10 in Falcon Stadium to celebrate the Tiger Shark teeth nose-art which has been represented on multiple Air Force aircraft dating back to World War II. During the WWII era, fight plane pilots were called Flying Tigers and were part of the U.S. Army Air Corps, which later became the Air Force. The helmets worn for the game will feature a shark-teeth design like those painted on the aircraft. The team s 2016 football schedule poster features a P-40 aircraft with the Tiger teeth and other sports teams posters will feature other Air Force aircraft including the C-130, HH-60, A-10 and other aircraft that wear the tiger shark teeth. All team sports posters will feature Air Force aircraft. In addition to football, volleyball, wrestling and ice hockey, other sports will feature Tiger teeth on helmets or other equipment/uniforms. The department has developed a logo/patch to commemorate the series. The logo will be used each year and will appear on the special uniforms in football and other sports warm-ups or uniforms that participate moving forward. History of the Tiger Shark Teeth By the time the U. S. Army Air Corps activated the 23d Fighter Group on July 4, 1942, the American Volunteer Group had already made the shark teeth famous in the skies over China. However, as famous as they made them, and as iconic as they ve become, the AVG can t take credit for creating the shark teeth paint scheme. They had seen pictures of furiously decorated P-40 Tomahawks, which was the British version of their P-40s, and simply mimicked the paint scheme for their own airplanes. The shark teeth have been present throughout history. They ve been painted on P-40s, P-51, A-7s, F-4s, F-105s, F-16s, HC-130s, A-10s, and a version of them even exists on an HH-60. Individual Notes A DAY IN THE LIFE Weston Steelhammer, Senior Haji Dunn, Jr., Senior (Business Management Major) (Management major, Protuguese minor) 6:30 Wake-Up 6:00 Wake-Up 6:45 Morning Accountability Formation 6:45 Morning Accountability Formation 7:30 Breakfast 7:00 Breakfast 8:30 Fundamentals of Aeronautics 7:30 Probability and Statistics (Math 300) (AeroEngr 315) 8:30 Astronautics (AstroEng 310) 9:30 Principles of Negotiation (SocSci 483) 9:30 Systems Analysis (OpsRsch 310) 10:30 Language, Literature, & Leadership 10:30 Extra Instruction (English 411) 11:35 Noon Meal Formation 11:35 Noon Meal Formation 12:00 Lunch 12:00 Lunch 12:30 MCQ (Military Call to Quarters) 12:30 MCQ (Military Call to Quarters) 1:30 Football Meetings/Film 1:30 Special Teams Meetings 3:00 Weight Room 2:00 Position Meetings 4:00 Practice 3:00 Weight Room 6:50 Dinner 4:00 Practice 7:15 Military Call to Quarters 6:50 Dinner 7:50 ACQ (Academic All to Quarters) 7:50 ACQ (Academic Call to Quarters) 12:00 Lights Out 11:00 Lights Out BUSY SUMMER FOR DUNN Senior Haji Dunn, Jr. had a busy summer, full of leadership duties. The senior LB was the cadet in charge of Air Force Summer Sports Camps where he led a staff of 88 overseeing campers in the dorms over a two-week period. In addition, he was the course commander during Basic Cadet Training, overseeing freshmen cadets going through all the different courses. He also toured VIPs, including Colorado Senator Cory Gardner. THE WATCH LISTERS Air Force has four players on six national watch lists this season. Senior Weston Steelhammer is on four, including the Bronco Nagurski (outstanding defensive player), Jim Thorpe (top defensive back), Lott Impact (integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community, tenacity) and Senior Bowl (playing ability). Senior RB Jacobi Owens is on two, including the Doak Walker (top running back) and Maxwell (player of the year). Senior DB Roland Ladipo joins Steelhammer on the Jim Thrope list, marking the first time in school history teammates have been on the same watch list. Senior receiver Jalen Robinette joins Steelhammer on the Senior Bowl list. STEELHAMMER ON FOUR NATIONAL WATCH LISTS Air Force senior safety Weston Steelhammer is on four national watch lists this season. The twotime first-team all-conference selection is on the Bronco Nagurski (outstanding defensive player), Jim Thorpe (top defensive back), Lott Impact (integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community, tenacity) and the Senior Bowl (playing). He led the Falcons last season in tackles with 80 and interceptions with five. He finished third on the team in tackles for loss with 10.5 and second 100-yard Rushers Air Force is overall under Troy Calhoun (since 2007) when it has a 100-yard rusher. Air Force is 5-2 this season with a 100-yard rusher. Six different players have rushed for 100 or more yards in a game this season W Kip McCarthy vs. So. Carolina St. ( ) W Shaun Carney vs. Utah ( ) W Jim Ollis vs. TCU ( ) W Chad Hall vs. UNLV ( ) W Chad Hall vs. Colorado State ( ) W Chad Hall vs. Wyoming ( ) W Chad Hall vs. Army ( ) W Chad Hall vs. Notre Dame ( ) W Chad Hall vs. San Diego State ( ) Jim Ollis vs. San Diego State ( ) Ty Paffett vs. San Diego State ( ) L Shaun Carney vs. California ( ) Jim Ollis vs. California ( ) 2008 W Asher Clark vs. San Diego State ( ) W Todd Newell vs. UNLV ( ) W Asher Clark vs. Colorado State ( ) L Todd Newell vs. BYU ( ) L Jared Tew vs. Houston ( ) 2009 W Jared Tew vs. Wyoming ( ) W Jared Tew vs. Army ( ) W Asher Clark vs. UNLV ( ) W Jared Tew vs. Houston ( ) Asher Clark vs. Houston ( ) 2010 W Asher Clark vs. BYU ( ) W Jared Tew vs. Wyoming ( ) W Jared Tew vs. Navy ( ) W Asher Clark vs. Colorado State ( ) L Asher Clark vs. San Diego State ( ) W Nathan Walker vs. Army ( ) 2011 W Asher Clark vs. Tennessee State ( ) L Asher Clark vs. Notre Dame ( ) L Mike DeWitt vs. Boise State ( ) W Asher Clark vs. UNLV ( ) W Asher Clark vs. Colorado State ( ) 2012 W Cody Getz vs. Idaho State ( ) L Cody Getz vs. Michigan ( ) L Cody Getz vs. UNLV ( ) W Cody Getz vs. Colorado State ( ) L Cody Getz vs. Navy ( ) W Wes Cobb vs. Nevada ( ) W Cody Getz vs. Hawai i ( ) W Cody Getz vs. Hawai i ( ) Air Force Football 8

9 in pass breakups with seven. STEELHAMMER RANKS FIFTH Senior Weston Steelhammer ranks fifth in Air Force history in career interceptions with 11. He has led the Falcons in interceptions the last two seasons with six in 2014 and five last season. Steelhammer tied a school record with three interceptions against Boise State in Steelhammer has 14 career turnovers (11 INT, 3 FR). Air Force Interceptions # Name, Years INTs 1. Tom Rotello, Carlton McDonald, Dwan Wilson, Anthony Wright, Kelvin King, Weston Steelhammer, 2013-pres. 11 ROBINETTE MOVING UP Senior receiver Jalen Robinette led the team in receiving yards with 641 and was second in catches with 26 last season. He averaged a team-best 24.7 yards per reception which is the second-best single-season mark in Air Force history. He trailed only Craig Hancock s school-record 31.0 mark set in Robinette had one of the best days in school history in Air Force s win over Utah State Nov. 14. He had career highs with seven receptions and 210 receiving yards. His 210 yards are the mostever in the option era (1980-present), the third-most overall in school history and most since He hauled in a 74-yard touchdown catch which is the 12th longest in school history and longest since Robinette proved his all-around ability, hitting both pass attempts last season for 76 yards and two TDs. Robinette has hit three of five passes for 130 yards and three TDs in his career. He is on the 2016 Senior Bowl watch list. Air Force Receptions # Name, Years Rec 1. Ernie Jennings, Mike Kirby, Charlie Longnecker, Matt Farmer, Ryan Fleming, Jalen Robinette, 2013-present Garrett Brown, Paul Williams, Chad Hall, Bob Brickey, yard Rushers cont W Jon Lee vs. Colgate ( ) Broam Hart vs. Colgate ( ) L Jaleel Awini vs. Boise State ( ) L Karson Roberts vs. Nevada ( ) L Anthony LaCoste vs. San Diego St. ( ) W Anthony LaCoste vs. Army ( ) L Anthony LaCoste vs. New Mexico ( ) 2014 W Jacobi Owens vs. Nicholls State ( ) W Jacobi Owens vs. Georgia State ( ) W Kale Pearson vs. Boise State ( ) Jacobi Owens vs. Boise State ( ) W Jacobi Owens vs. Army ( ) W Jacobi Owens vs. UNLV ( ) W Kale Pearson vs. Nevada ( ) W Shane Davern vs. Western Michigan ( ) 2015 W Nate Romine vs. San Jose State ( ) D.J. Johnson vs. San Jose State ( ) W Shayne Davern vs. Wyoming ( ) W Bryan Driskell vs. Fresno State ( ) Jacobi Owens vs. Fresno State ( ) W Jacobi Owens vs. Hawai i ( ) Timothy McVey vs. Hawai i ( ) W Jacobi Owens vs. Boise State ( ) L Timothy McVey vs. New Mexico ( ) L Jacobi Owens vs. San Diego State ( ) Air Force Receiving Yards # Name, Years Yards 1. Ernie Jennings, , Mike Kirby, , Jalen Robinette, 2013-present 1, Ryan Fleming, , Matt Farmer, ,504 LADIPO SOLID AS FIRST-YEAR STARTER Senior Roland Ladipo earned first-team all-mountain West honors in his first season as a starter at cornerback last year. He finished second on the team in tackles with 79 overall and had a sack and 4.5 tackles for loss. He was second on the team in interceptions with three. Ladipo led the conference and ranked 17th nationally in pass breakups with 17 and recorded a career-best four at Boise State. Ladipo had a career-best 12 tackles and a tackle for loss at Colorado State. He had his first-career pick in the season opening win over Morgan State, returning it 22 yards for the first touchdown of his career. Ladipo is on the Jim Thorpe Award watch list for STREBEL TAKING CARE OF KICKING DUTIES Junior kicker Luke Strebel was the team s starting kicker the last eight games last season. He hit 10 of 11 field goals and was perfect in 37 extra point attempts. He was third on the team in scoring with 67 points. Strebel took over the punting duties during the New Mexico game and had three punts for a 46.3 average with a then-long of 49 on his first-career punt. He added a careerlong punt of 52 yards at San Diego State and averaged 40.0 yards per punt. Strebel hit a careerbest three field goals, including a long of 45 yards in the final two minutes to seal the game at Boise State. He was named Mountain West special teams player of the week for his efforts. OWENS MOVING UP THE CHARTS Senior Jacobi Owens is on the Doak Walker (best running back) and Maxwell Award (player of the year) watch lists this season. He has led the Falcons in rushing the last two seasons. Owens went over the 1,000-yard mark for the season and the 2,000-yard mark for his career at San Diego State in last season s conference championship game. Owens rushed for a season-high 156 yards Air Force Football 9

10 on 17 carries and recorded a career-long run of 65 yards. Owens led the team and ranked eighth in the conference in rushing with 1,096 yards in He is just the fourth player in Air Force history with two 1,000-yard seasons. He joins Beau Morgan (1995, 96), Dee Dowis (1987, 89) and Asher Clark (2010, 11). Owens became the 11th player in school history to go over the 2,000-yard mark for his career and ranks 11th in school history with 2,150 yards. Owens already ranks third among tailbacks in school history. Air Force Rushing Yards # Name, Years Yards 1. Dee Dowis, , Asher Clark, * 3, Beau Morgan, , John Kershner, , Chad Hall, * 2, Shaun Carney, , Andy Smith, , Chance Harridge, , Pat Evans, ,284 Brian Bream, , Jacobi Owens, 2014-present* 2,150 * - Tailback MCVEY THE FIRST Junior running back Tim McVey made the most of his first-career start at New Mexico last season. McVey became the first player in Air Force history to record 100-plus yards rushing and receiving in the same game. McVey rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries and scored on a career-long run of 61 yards. He also had five catches for 157 yards and a career-best three touchdowns. He recorded a career-long 75 yard touchdown catch which is the 11th longest in school history and third-longest for a running back. The pass play is the longest overall since 2005 and longest by a running back since McVey rushed for 48 yards and three touchdowns on nine carries at San Diego State in the Mountain West championship game. He scored nine of Air Force s last 13 touchdowns over the last three games, including the first eight. McVey led the team in scoring with 78 points on 13 touchdowns. He was third on the team in rushing with 441 yards and was second in rushing touchdowns with nine. McVey was ninth in the Mountain West in scoring with a 5.6 per-game average. AIR FORCE HONORS IN Weston Steelhammer - Jim Thorpe Award Watch List... Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List... Bronco Nagurski Trophy Watch List... Senior Bowl Watch List. 9 Jalen Robinette - Senior Bowl Watch List. 25 Roland Ladipo - Jim Thorpe Award Watch List. 28 Jacobi Owens - Doak Walker Award Watch List... Maxwell Award Watch List. Air Force Academy Facts The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) is a world-class institution providing a comprehensive developmental experience to graduate innovative, resilient and committed airpower leaders of character. It provides an intensive immersion in leadership training and officer development founded on integrity, built on the pillars of academic, military and athletic excellence and which inculcates in our cadets a spirit of selfless service to our Nation. USAFA fosters a culture of commitment and climate of respect focusing future leaders on innovation and continual improvement. It produces air-minded leaders and career officers with the character, critical thinking skills and strategic agility to lead our Nation s Air Force today and into the future. USAFA strives to offer the best education in a liberal arts environment to prepare thoughtful, caring, innovative leaders. USAFA is consistently ranked by multiple sources as one of the country s top public universities, particularly when it comes to engineering and liberal arts education. #1 in nation for undergraduate research, according to the National Science Foundation. #5 STEM college, according to Forbes Service above self is at the core of the USAFA experience and USAFA cadets strive to always serve with purpose, honor, and selflessness. 61% of USAFA graduates serve 10 years and 45% serve 20 years. USAFA cadets contribute 38,000 volunteer hours per year in the local community, as well as across the Nation. STEM Outreach Club, as ambassadors for Air Force innovation, received the 2015 National Society of Black Engineers Golden Torch Award for Government Community Service for 5,500 hours of outreach. Facts There were 663 General Officers who were USAFA graduates. Class of 2019 more than 9,000 applicants along with one of the most qualified, diverse pool of applicants to date 11% high school class presidents and 81% earned athletic letters. USAFA boasts 27 NCAA sanctioned athletic teams and is the current holder of the Commander-in-Chief s Trophy. The Cadet Area was designated as a National Historic Landmark in Air Force Football 10