Game against Washington in 2005 moved to Seattle

Air Force and Washington will play at Seahawks Stadium in Seattle, Sept. 3, 2005

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Jan. 26, 2004

The Air Force / Washington game originally scheduled for Sept. 3, 2005, in Falcon Stadium is being moved to Seahawks Stadium in Seattle, Wash., according to an announcement today from Bob Walsh Enterprises, Inc., and officials from each school. The Sept. 3 date remains, but the kickoff time is to be announced.

Bob Walsh Enterprises in Seattle acquired the rights to the game from the Academy. Though the game is at a neutral site, the Academy will be the home team. Financial terms and other considerations of the agreement are being finalized.

"This is an exciting opportunity for the Academy," said Brad DeAustin, acting director of athletics. "We will have the chance to showcase our football program to the West Coast and expose our student-athletes to a world-class football venue. This is also a great opportunity to partner with an industry leader like Bob Walsh Enterprises."

The Academy is working towards replacing the home game on the schedule. In addition to the Washington game, Air Force plays non-conference games at Navy on Oct. 8 and at home vs. Army Nov. 12. The game at North Texas has been moved to 2009 to make room for another home game. Other home games in 2005 include Wyoming, Utah and UNLV. The Falcons also play at San Diego State, BYU, Colorado State and New Mexico.

Air Force and Washington will meet for the eighth time in 2005. The Falcons hold a 5-2 series lead and have won two consecutive games. Air Force defeated Washington in the 1998 O'ahu Bowl in Hawaii, 45-25, and at Husky Stadium in 1999 by a 31-21 count. The Falcons are 1-1 at home, 3-1 at Washington and 1-0 in neutral site games. Prior to the O'ahu Bowl, the teams had not played since 1980. Air Force and Washington first played Sept. 21, 1963, in Falcon Stadium. The Falcons won the game, 10-7.

Air Force is 26-30-2 all-time vs. the Pac-10 conference. The Falcons have won three consecutive games against Pac-10 teams dating back to 1998. Air Force has beaten Washington twice and California during the streak. The Falcons host California in 2004 before taking on Washington.

Air Force has fared well recently against teams from Bowl Championship Series conferences. Air Force's victory over Northwestern last season marks the team's third consecutive regular season win and its third in the last four games overall against teams from BCS conferences. Air Force's only loss came at the hands of No. 19 Virginia Tech, 20-13, in the 2002 San Francisco Bowl. The wins have come against Northwestern at home in 2002, at California in 2002 and at Northwestern last season. The 2002 wins marked the first time since 1998 that Air Force has beaten two teams from BCS conferences in a single season. In 1998, the team beat Wake Forest from the ACC, 42-0, and Washington of the Pac-10, 45-25.

The Falcons have been one of the most successful teams in college football over the last seven seasons, ranking 18th nationally in wins with a 58-28 record. The mark is the second-best in the Mountain West Conference behind Colorado State's 61-26 record.

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Bob Walsh has a long and successful history in event management, marketing and business development. During the past 30 years, Bob Walsh Enterprises, Inc., produces dozens of major sports and cultural events. BWE was instrumental in launching a successful Seattle bid to host the 1990 Goodwill Games, an international multi-sports competition created by Ted Turner. The company has also produced several other widely recognized events such as: The NCAA Men's and Women's basketball Final Four Championships; National Basketball Association All-Star Weekend and NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championships. BWE was also responsible for landing Vancouver, Canada, a professional NBA franchise in 1994.

 

 

 

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