Air Force Academy

Dec. 7, 2011

Complete Notes in PDF

Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman

Air Force (7-5) vs. Toledo (8-4)
Wednesday • Dec. 28 • 4:30 p.m. ET
RFK Stadium • Washington, DC

TELEVISION
ESPN
Pam Ward (play-by-play); Dan Hawkins (analyst); Jeannine Edwards (sidelines)

RADIO
KVOR AM 740 in Colorado Springs; KCKK 1510 AM in Denver; Goairforcefalcons.com Jim Arthur (play-by-play); Lee Douglas (analyst); Jay Ritchie/Bob Ihle (pre- and post-game)

GAME FACTS: Air Force is making its first-ever trip to the Military Bowl ... Air Force is making a school-record fifth consecutive appearance in a bowl game (2007-11) ... Air Force and Toledo are meeting for the first time ... The Falcons are 1-1 all-time against teams in the Mid-American Conference with both meetings coming against Kent State, the last in 1978 ... Air Force is 10-10-1 all-time in bowl games, including a 2-2 mark under head coach Troy Calhoun ... Air Force has won two straight bowl games, defeating 25th-ranked Houston, 47-20, in the 2009 Armed Forces Bowl and Georgia Tech, 14-7, in the 2010 Independence Bowl.

COACHES
Air Force: Troy Calhoun (Air Force, 1989) is in his fifth season. He has led the Falcons to a 41-23 career record. Calhoun is 24-15 in MWC games, 17-8 in non-conference games, 23-8 in Falcon Stadium, 14-12 in road games (11-7 in MW road games) and 2-2 in bowl games.
Toledo: Tim Beckman (Findlay, 1988) is in his third year at Toledo. He has led the Rockets to a 21-16 overall record. Beckman was the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State from 2007-08 prior to taking over at Toledo.

THE SERIES/AIR FORCE VS. THE MAC: Air Force and Toledo are playing for the first time. The Falcons are 1-1 all-time vs. teams from the Mid-American Conference. Air Force is 1-1 against Kent State with the last meeting coming in 1978.

BOWL ATTENDANCE/TICKET NOTES: Air Force has averaged 9,771 tickets sold in its previous four bowl games dating back to 2007. Air Force sold a then-record 11,945 for the 2007 Armed Forces Bowl and broke that mark last year in the 2010 Independence Bowl with 12,098 sold.
The average attendance in Air Force's four bowl games is 40,702. The school played in three straight Armed Forces Bowl games and set a record attendance mark each year. Air Force set the first record in 2007 with 40,905, then broke it in 2008 with 41,127 and in 2009 with 41,414. Prior to Air Force's arrival, the bowl game had hit 40,000 in attendance just once. The attendance in last year's Independence Bowl was 39,362.

BOWL HISTORY: Air Force is playing in a bowl game for a school-record fifth straight year. The 2011 Military Bowl will be Air Force's 22nd all-time. The Falcons have a 10-10-1 all-time bowl record and have won two straight.

Air Force Bowl History
Season/Bowl-Opponent-Result
1958/Cotton-TCU-Tied 0-0
1963/Gator-North Carolina-Lost 0-35
1970/Sugar-Tennessee-Lost 13-34
1982/Hall of Fame-Vanderbilt-Won 36-28
1983/Independence-Mississippi-Won 9-3
1984/Independence-Virginia Tech-Won 23-7
1985/Bluebonnet-Texas-Won 24-16
1987/Freedom-Arizona State-Lost 28-33
1989/Liberty-Mississippi-Lost 29-42
1990/Liberty-Ohio State-Won 23-11
1991/Liberty-Mississippi State-Won 38-15
1992/Liberty-Mississippi-Lost 0-13
1995/Copper-Texas Tech-Lost 41-55
1997/Las Vegas-Oregon-Lost 13-41
1998/O'ahu-Washington-Won 45-25
2000/Silicon Valley-Fresno State-Won 37-34
2002/San Francisco-Virginia Tech-Lost 13-20
2007/Armed Forces-California-Lost 36-42
2008/Armed Forces-Houston-Lost 28-34
2009/Armed Forces-Houston-Won 47-20
2010/Independence-Georgia Tech-Won 14-7
2011/Military Bowl-Toledo

AIR FORCE/TOLEDO/OHIO TIES: Air Force has nine players on the varsity roster from the state of Ohio. The players follow: Name -- hometown (High School). Anthony Wright, Jr. -- Cleveland (Maple Heights); Jon Davis -- Cincinnati (Winton Woods); Connor Dietz -- Columbus (Hilliard Davidson); Patrick Hennessey -- Strongsville, OH (St. Ignatius); Ken Lamendola -- Westlake, OH (St. Edward); Josh Kusan -- Westerville, OH (St. Francis DeSales); Ross Fleming -- Powell (Olentangy Liberty); Ike Ariguzo -- Columbus (St. Francis DeSales); Zack Kauth -- Dayton (Chaminade-Julienne).

AIR FORCE VS. NON-CONFERENCE FOES UNDER CALHOUN
• Air Force posted a 4-1 mark this season in non-conference games.
• Air Force is 17-8 against non-conference foes under head coach Troy Calhoun.
• The Falcons are 10-1 at home, 4-5 on the road and 3-2 in neutral site games.
• Air Force has won 10 of its last 12 with the only losses coming at No. 7 Oklahoma last season and at Notre Dame earlier this season.

Team Notes

AIR FORCE BY THE NUMBERS
2 - 100-yard kickoff returns for a touchdown by Jonathan Warzeka, a school and Mountain West record.
8 - number of starters returning that started all 13 games last season.
10 - career games with 10 or more tackles by Jon Davis which is tied for sixth among active MW players.
11 - career 100-yard rushing games by Asher Clark which is the second most among active MW players.
11 - different categories that senior quarterback Tim Jefferson ranks in the top 10 in Air Force history.
12 - consecutive years Air Force has won the Mountain West rushing title.
13 - total number of starters returning from 2010.
23 - wins in 31 games in Falcon Stadium for Air Force under head coach Troy Calhoun.
23 - tackles by Brady Amack vs. Navy, sixth most in AF history and second most by an FBS player in 2011.
28 - number of wins for senior starting quarterback Tim Jefferson, the most in school history.
30 - games under head coach Troy Calhoun with a 100-yard rusher. Team is 24-6 in these games.
33 - straight games Air Force has rushed for a touchdown dating back to Navy Oct. 3, 2009.

DEFENSE TOUGH: Air Force has allowed just 15.8 points per game the last five games. The team has given up just 6.8 points in the second half of those games, including just 5.4 scored by the opponent's offense. The Falcons posted a shutout vs. New Mexico which is the first for Air Force on the road in Mountain West Conference play and first since beating Colorado State, 24-0, in Fort Collins in 1997 as a member of the Western Athletic Conference. Air Force held New Mexico to just 223 total yards which is the best since holding Nicholls State to just 151 to open the 2009 season. The 223 total yards are the fewest allowed against an FBS team and on the road since holding Navy to 209 in 2009. Lastly, the 223 total yards is the best conference road mark since holding Wyoming to just 216 in Laramie in 2008.

TEAM DEFENSIVE NOTES
• Air Force leads the MW and ranks sixth nationally in pass defense with a 162.7 average.
• Air Force has forced 15 turnovers the last five games, AFA had nine total in the first seven games.
• Air Force has not allowed the opponent to score on its opening drive of the second half this season, forcing nine punts, two interceptions and a fumble.
• Air Force held UNLV to just 133 yards and seven first downs in the second half.
• Air Force held Army to just 80 total yards and two first downs in the second half.
• Air Force posted its first shutout since 2009 vs. New Mexico (42-0).
• The shutout is the first in a conference road game since beating Colorado State, 24-0, in 1997.
• AF held New Mexico to just 223 total yards, the best in a conference road game since 2008 (Wyo., 216).
• Air Force had four players with double figure tackles at Navy (Brady Amack, 23; Harry Kehs, 15; Jordan Waiwaiole and Alex Means, 12 each).
• Air Force had five players with double figure tackles vs. Army (Brady Amack, 14; Jon Davis, 12; Jordan Waiwaiole, 11, Alex Means, 11 and Patrick Hennessey, 10).

TEAM OFFENSIVE NOTES
• Air Force is second in the MW and 19th nationally in total offense with a 458.8 average.
• The team is third in the MW and 18th nationally in third-down conversions with a 47.9 mark.
• Air Force is second in the MW and 34th nationally in red zone offense with an 86.0 mark (49-57).
• Air Force leads the MW and ranks third nationally in fourth downs with an 80.8 mark (21-26).
• Air Force's 320.3 rushing average is its best since averaging 332.7 in 1997.
• Air Force set a school record with 792 total yards vs. Tennessee State.
• The team rushed for 595 yards vs. Tennessee State which is the third most in school history and most since 1988.
• Air Force's 9.0 yards per rush vs. Tennessee State is the third most in school history and most since 1989.
• Air Force's 37 first downs vs. Tennessee State is the third most in school history and most since 2000.
• The team's 26 rushing first downs vs. Tennessee State is the seventh most in school history.
• Air Force's 63 points vs. Tennessee State is tied as the eighth most in school history.

OFFENSE RANKS AMONG BEST IN SCHOOL HISTORY: The Air Force offense ranks among the top 10 all-time in several categories for a single season. A complete look at where this season's offense ranks and the school record for each category follows. Air Force's season averages of 320.3 rushing yards, 138.5 passing yards, 458.8 total yards and 34.4 points per game are all the best in the Troy Calhoun era (2007-present).

AIR FORCE TAKEAWAYS
• Air Force has forced 17 TOs, at least two each game, with a +6 TO margin the last six games.
• The Falcons forced just seven turnovers and were -6 in TO margin in the first six games of the season.
• Air Force is sixth in the Mountain West in turnover margin with a season-best 0.00 mark.
• Air Force has won the turnover battle just four times this season (+2 UNM; +3 Army; +1 UNLV; +2 CSU)
• Air Force is a combined +50 in turnover margin the last five seasons.
• Air Force was second in the conference with a +.38 turnover margin in 2010.
• Air Force led the nation in turnover margin with a 1.69 per-game mark in 2009.

TIME OF POSSESSION MOVING IN AIR FORCE'S FAVOR: After losing the time of possession battle in the first four games of the season, the Falcons have won it in six of the last eight games. Air Force had a season-best 12:36 advantage at Boise State. The team's TOP for the season is up to 29:10, which is a season best (29:09 previous high).

SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
• Air Force has blocked five kicks this season (see below).
• Air Force is third in the MW and ranks 30th nationally in punt returns with a 10.8 average.
• The Falcons lead the conference in field goal percentage with an 83.3 mark.

BLOCKED KICKS
• Air Force has blocked five kicks this season, the most in a season since 2006 and most in the Calhoun era.
• The blocks: (PAT vs. South Dakota; FG vs. Tennessee State; PAT at Navy; FG vs. San Diego State; PAT at Boise State).
• Air Force has blocked 16 kicks since 2007 under head coach Troy Calhoun • The breakdown (8 FGs, 6 PATs, 2 Punts)
• Senior DL Ben Kopacka recorded the first block of his career with a blocked PAT vs. South Dakota.
• Junior LB Alex Means has three blocks (FG vs. Tenn. State, PAT at Navy, PAT at Boise State)
• Means is the first player since Ryan Carter in 2003 to block a kick in back-to-back games (Tenn St., Navy).
• Sophomore LB Jamil Cooks recorded his fourth-career block with a field goal vs. San Diego State.
• Cooks had three blocks last season, a field goal and a punt vs. Navy and a PAT vs. Colorado State.
• Air Force has blocked 114 kicks since 1990 when the team began tracking them.
• The breakdown: 53 punts, 35 field goals and 26 PATs.
• Air Force set a school record with 11 blocks in 1997 (7 punts, 3 FGs, 1 punt).
• Single season records for each category: Punts (7, 1997), FGs (3, 6 times, 2009), PATs (5, 2006).

AIR FORCE FOURTH NATIONALLY WITH 232-GAME SCORING STREAK
• The Falcons were last shutout by Mississippi, 13-0, in the 1992 Liberty Bowl.
• Air Force's streak is the fourth longest active in the country.
• Air Force's streak is tied as 12th longest in Division I-A college history

AIR FORCE LEADS THE WAY WITH ALUMNI COACHES: Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun is one of 18 FBS head coaches that is leading his alma mater. Calhoun, 1989 Academy graduate, is in his fifth year. The Falcons have eight Academy graduates as coaches on the staff which is more than any other school in the nation.

Academy graduates on coaching staff
Troy Calhoun (`89), head coach
Ben Miller (`02), tight ends/special teams coordinator
Blane Morgan (`99), offensive coordinator/QBs
Lt. Col. Bill Price (`91), varsity/JV assistant
Capt. John Rudzinksi (`05), defensive assistant
Lt. Col. Darryl Sumrall (`89), junior varsity head coach/varsity assistant
Mike Thiessen (`01), asst. head coach/offensive coordinator/WRs
Carlton Warren (`99), asst head coach/co-defensive coordinator/secondary/recruiting

FBS Head Coaches at Alma Mater
Troy Calhoun, Air Force (`89); Jon Embree, Colorado (`88); Steve Fairchild, Colorado State (`81); Ruffin McNeill, East Carolina (`80); Joker Phillips, Kentucky (`85); Don Treadwell, Miami-Ohio (`82); Larry Porter, Memphis (`96); Chris Ault, Nevada (`69,'73); Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern (`97); Luke Fickell, Ohio State (`97); Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State (`90); David Shaw, Stanford (`95); Doug Marrone, Syracuse (`91); Bill Blankenship, Tulsa (`79); Rick Neuheisel, UCLA (`84); Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech (`69); Paul Wulff, Washington State (`90); Willie Taggart, Western Kentucky (`98).

FALCONS AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS IN APR: The Air Force Academy football team's APR score of 978 for the 2009-10 academic year ranks 10th nationally, according to data released by the NCAA. The Air Force football program, along with women's cross country, wrestling and women's track were recognized by the NCAA with Division I Academic Performance Public Recognition Awards. The APR provides a real-time look at a team's academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete on scholarship. The APR accounts for eligibility, retention and graduation and provides a measure of each team's academic performance.

DEBERRY RECEIVES AFCA'S AMOS ALONZO STAGG AWARD: Former Air Force Academy head coach Fisher DeBerry has been named the 2012 recipient of the AFCA's Amos Alonzo Stagg Award. The award, which honors those "whose services have been outstanding in the advancement of the best interests of football," will be presented to DeBerry at the AFCA Awards Luncheon on January 10 during the 2012 AFCA Convention in San Antonio, Texas.
DeBerry retired following the 2006 season with a 23-year record of 169-109-1 at Air Force. He led 17 of his 23 teams to winning records and 12 of those teams captured a bowl bid, posting a 6-6 record. His career record is the best in school history in terms of games won and winning percentage. In December 2011, DeBerry will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his stellar coaching career.

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S TROPHY: Air Force won its second straight and record 18th Commander-in-Chief's Trophy this season. The Falcons defeated Navy, 35-34, in overtime in Annapolis Oct. 1 and Army, 24-14, in Falcon Stadium Nov. 5. Air Force's back-to-back CIC Trophy titles are its first since 2001-02.
The 2011 season marks the 40th year of trophy competition. The trophy goes annually to the winning academy with the best record in round-robin competition. The President of the United States presents the trophy to the seniors from the winning team each year at a ceremony at the White House. Air Force has a 53-27-0 all-time CIC record.

Air Force outright CIC title years:
`82, `83, `85, `87, `89, `90, `91, `92, `94, `95, `97, `98, `99, `00, `01, `02, `10, `11

THE RAM/FALCON TROPHY: Air Force won its sixth straight Ram-Falcon Trophy this season be defeating Colorado State, 45-21, Nov. 26 in the final regular season game. The title is the 19th for the Falcons. Colorado State has won the trophy 13 times. This season marks the 32nd year of the competition for the trophy. The trophy's origin is traced back to Shelly Godkin, a former ROTC commander at Colorado State. He watched the teams play in 1978 and sought to translate his impressions into a trophy symbolic of an annual game. The first Ram-Falcon Trophy battle was in 1980.

FALCONS TOUGH IN NOVEMBER: Air Force is 13-4 under head coach Troy Calhoun in the month of November, including a 3-1 mark this season. Three of the four losses have come at the hands of nationally-ranked teams, including two on the road.

PLAYING BEST WHEN IT MATTERS MOST: Air Force is 22-10 under head coach Troy Calhoun in games during the second half of the season (last six games), including a 4-2 mark this season. The Falcons were 4-3 last season. Air Force was 5-1 in 2007 which is the best mark since the 1998 team was 6-0. Prior to Calhoun's arrival in 2007, the Falcons were 12-24 over the last six games of the season from 2001-06.

HOME SWEET HOME: Air Force is 23-8 at home under head coach Troy Calhoun since 2007. The Falcons posted just the third undefeated home mark (6-0) in 2007. Air Force combined for 10 wins at home in 2009 and 2010 which is the third most in two seasons in school history.

SCHEDULE NOTES
• Air Force's 2011 schedule featured six teams that played in bowl games in 2010.
• Air Force has its first open date since 2008 in the schedule. The Falcons have played 12 straight weeks in three of head coach Troy Calhoun's five seasons at the helm.

AIR FORCE'S BRUTAL OCTOBER STRETCH: Air Force defeated New Mexico, 42-0, Oct. 29 to conclude a brutal stretch of games. The Falcons played four of five games in October away from home. The Falcons played at Navy Oct. 1, defeating the Midshipmen, 35-34, in overtime and at Notre Dame Oct. 8 (ND 59-33). The one home game was a Thursday night tilt with San Diego State Oct. 13, a 41-27 Aztec win. Air Force played at No. 5/7 Boise State Oct. 22 (L 37-26). The stretch is widely considered one of the toughest in school history.

Individual Notes

WARZEKA CAREER RECORD HOLDER FOR KICKOFF RETURNS: Senior Jonathan Warzeka set the Air Force career record for kickoff return yards in Air Force's victory over Army. Warzeka recorded 44 kickoff return yards to move past Reggie Rembert (2007-10), who had 1,388 yards on 65 returns. Warzeka has 58 career returns for 1,477 yards and ranks third in school history with a 25.5 career return average.

START CHART: Several Falcons have significant streaks going in terms of consecutive games started. Senior DB Anthony Wright leads the way with 48 straight dating back to 2009. Senior DB Jon Davis has the second-longest streak with 38. Senior RB Asher Clark is third at 31 followed by senior QB Tim Jefferson with 30. Wright leads the way in overall games started as well with 48. Jefferson is second with 43, Clark is third with 39 and Davis is fourth with 38. A look at both lists follows.

AMACK AMONG MW/NATION'S BEST: Senior LB Brady Amack is second in the Mountain West and 15th nationally in tackles with an average of 10.4 per game. Amack has led the team in tackles in eight of the last 10 games this season. He has hit double figures in tackles in six of the last nine. Amack is also fourth in the MW and 19th nationally with four forced fumbles.
Amack has 125 tackles this season and is the first Falcon since John Falgout in 2009 to reach the 100-tackle mark. His 125 stops are the most in a season since All-American Chris Gizzi had 179 in 1997.
Amack amassed a career-high 23 tackles, including 11 solo stops, a quarterback sack and two tackles for loss in Air Force's win over Navy. Amack's 23 tackles are a Mountain West single game record, the second most by an FBS player this season and the sixth-most in school history and most since Brian Hill had 23 vs. Colorado State in 1988.
Amack earned several weekly honors for his efforts at Navy. He was named Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week, FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week, Mountain West defensive player of the week and National Football Foundation, Colorado Chapter player of the week.
Amack was added to the 2011 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy will be presented to the best defensive player in college football on Dec. 12 by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C.

DAVIS AMONG MW'S BEST: Senior safety Jon Davis ranks eighth in the Mountain West in tackles with a 7.4 average. Davis has 89 total tackles, including 43 unassisted, and has had 10 or more tackles in a game five times this season. He is third in the conference in tackles by defensive backs. Davis is second in the conference and 23rd nationally in interceptions with a team-best four. He has 10 career interceptions which is tied for sixth in Air Force history.
Davis earned the Walter Camp Football Foundation Football Bowl Subdivision National Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts vs. Army. Davis was honored after having an all-around productive day as the Falcons defeated Army, 24-14 and retained the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy. The product of Cincinnati, Ohio, had a career-high 12 tackles, forced and recovered a fumble and had an interception.

WARZEKA ON HORNUNG WATCH LIST: Air Force senior WR/KR Jonathan Warzeka was one of 50 players on the 2011 Watch List for the Paul Hurnung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse, announced by the Louisville Sports Commission and football legend Paul Hornung.
The 2011 Watch List was compiled by a panel of college football experts based on 2010 statistics and expectations heading into the 2011 season. There are 20 seniors, 20 juniors and 10 sophomores representing 46 universities and all 11 conferences that are part of the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). For the complete watch list visit paulhornungaward.com.

HERRINGTON LEADS THE MOUNTAIN WEST: Junior kicker Parker Herrington leads the Mountain West in field goals with a 1.25 average and in field goal percentage with an 83.3 mark. He is 13-of-14 inside 40 yards and had a streak of 10 straight made field goals snapped vs. UNLV. Herrington is fifth in the conference and second among kickers in scoring with a 7.1 average. He is 15-of-18 on the season and has kicked two or more field goals in a game five times.

COOKS MOVING UP CAREER BLOCKED KICKS CHART: Sophomore LB Jamil Cooks is tied for fourth in Air Force history with four blocked kicks. Cooks recorded his fourth career block this season with a blocked field goal vs. San Diego State. Last year, Cooks blocked three kicks, a punt and a field goal vs. Navy and a PAT vs. Colorado State. His four blocks are the most by a Falcon since Robert Kraay, who had four from 2004-06.

JEFFERSON WINNINGEST QUARTERBACK IN SCHOOL HISTORY: QB Tim Jefferson set a new school record for most wins by a starting quarterback in Air Force's win over Tennessee State. He passed the record of 22 set by Dee Dowis (1985-89), who was 22-13-1. Jefferson has a 28-15 career record as a starter. His 28 wins ranks third all-time in the Mountain West. Jefferson is 6-1 in his career against service academies, posting a 4-0 mark vs. Army and a 2-1 mark against Navy. He is the only quarterback in Air Force history to have six service academy wins.
Jefferson has the fifth most wins nationally as a starter. His .651 winning percentage is the ninth-best nationally.

JEFFERSON PASSING: Senior QB Tim Jefferson has hit 98-of-161 passes for a career-high 1,478 yards on the season with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. His 60.9 completion percentage is fourth best for a single season at Air Force and best since Shaun Carney had a .642 mark in 2007. Jefferson's 146.36 career QB rating is the second best in school history.
Jefferson was named MW offensive player of the week against Colorado State when he hit nine-of-12 passes for 221 yards for a career-best three touchdowns. He became the first player in school history to have consecutive seasons with 10 or more touchdown passes and just the third player at Air Force to have 30 or more career TD passes (32).
Jefferson recorded career highs in completions, attempts and yards against San Diego State earlier this season, hitting 22-of-36 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns. Jefferson had record-setting performances over a two week stretch. He hit 20-of-23 passes (.870) for 314 yards and four touchdowns without any interceptions combined against Tennessee State and Navy. His .870 completion percentage is the best two-game mark in school history. Jefferson hit 11 of 13 passes for 178 yards and a career-best three touchdowns vs. Tennessee State. He hit nine of 10 passes for 136 yards and a touchdown at Navy. His .900 completion percentage vs. the Midshipmen is the third-best single-game mark in school history while his .846 percentage vs. Tennessee State is the sixth best.

Alex Means BUSINESS: Junior linebacker Alex Means leads the team and ranks ninth in the Mountain West in tackles for loss with 9.0 for 44 yards. He also leads the team and ranks seventh in the conference in sacks with 6.0 for 39 yards. Means was named MW defensive player of the week in Air Force's last game with five tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles both resulting in turnovers at Colorado State. Means has also blocked three kicks this season, including an extra point in overtime at Navy to set up a one-point Air Force win. He also blocked a PAT at Boise State and a field goal vs. Tennessee State.

FULLBACK FORCE: Air Force fullbacks Wes Cobb and Mike DeWitt have big shoes to fill. The Falcons lost their top three fullbacks last season to graduation -- Jared Tew, Nathan Walker, Ryan Southworth. Gone with the trio went 1,117 yards and an 85.9 per-game average. Cobb and DeWitt proved they are up to the challenge providing the kind of tough running that the Air Force fullback position is known for.
DeWitt is second on the team in rushing with 543 yards and 10 touchdowns while Cobb is fourth with 380 yards and four touchdowns. Freshman Broam Hart has chipped in with 55 yards. The trio has combined for 978 yards and 14 touchdowns which is an average of 81.5 yards per game.
The fullbacks have had 100 or more yards in a game six times overall and in four of the last six games. The fullbacks had a season-best 132 yards vs. New Mexico. They have also hit the 100-yard mark vs. South Dakota (109), Tennessee State (107), Boise State (125), Wyoming (115) and Colorado State (106).

SEVERAL FALCONS ON SINGLE SEASON LISTS: Several Falcons have posted statistics this season that rank among the top 10 all-time in Air Force history. A complete look at the list follows.
WALLERSTEIN EARNS ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT HONORS: Air Force senior offensive lineman A.J. Wallerstein has been named to the District VII College Sports Information Directors of American academic all-district team. Wallerstein will appear on the nation ballot for Academic All-American honors which will be announced next month. A native of Canyon Country, Calif., Wallerstein has a 3.47 grade point average and is a double major in Physics and Mathematical Sciences.

WALLERSTEIN ON AND OFF THE FIELD: Air Force senior offensive lineman A.J. Wallerstein was among the 127 semifinalists for the 2011 William V. Campbell Trophy, endowed by HealthSouth, and announced by the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF). Each of the 127 individuals is also a candidate for the 2011 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Award, presented by Fidelity Investments.
Nominated by their institutions, each candidate must be a senior or graduate student in his final year of eligibility, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first-team player or significant contributor, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. Renamed in 2009 in honor of Bill Campbell, the chairman of Intuit, former player and head coach at Columbia University and the 2004 recipient of the NFF's Gold Medal, the award comes with a 25-pound bronze trophy and a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship.
Wallerstein was also one of a record 132 nominees for the AFCA Good Works Team, announced by the AllState Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association.
Wallerstein has been active in his Academy cadet squadron in leadership positions of element leader and academic officer and was on the cadet leadership team during Basic Cadet Training last summer where he was responsible for leading basic cadets in various areas of military training. He was also active in a community service project that donated over 50 man-hours to the Black Forest Animal Sanctuary in Colorado Springs.

CLARK ON DOAK WALKER LIST: Air Force senior running back Asher Clark was one of 51 candidates for the 2011 Doak Walker Award, according to an announcement by the PwC SMC Athletic Forum. Clark was a second-team all-Mountain West selection last season after rushing for 1,031 yards, becoming just the 13th player overall and fourth tailback in Air Force history to hit the 1,000-yard mark in a season. A native of Lawrenceville, Ga., Clark became the ninth player in Air Force history to hit the 2,000-yard mark for his career.

CLARK POSTS SECOND STRAIGHT 1,000-YARD SEASON, CLOSING IN ON CAREER MARK: Senior tailback Asher Clark posted his second straight 100-yard effort against Colorado State in Air Force's last game with 111 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. He had a career-best 169 yards and scored on a career-best 67-yard run against UNLV prior to the CSU game. Clark went over the 1,000-yard mark for the second straight season and has a career-high 1,096 this season. He is just the third player in school history to record two 1,000-yard seasons and just the second ever and first since Beau Morgan in 1995-96 to record back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Clark rushed for 1,031 yards last year.
Clark needs just 33 yards in the bowl game to become the all-time leading rusher in Air Force history. Clark has rushed for 3,580 career yards which is second all-time at Air Force and in the history of the Mountain West. He trails only the legendary Dee Dowis (1986-89), who had 3,612 yards in Air Force history.
Clark has four 100-yard efforts this season and 11 in his career. He is fourth in the Mountain West in rushing this season with a 91.3 per-game average. He is averaging 7.3 yards per carry which is second-best mark among the league's top 10 rushers.

CALHOUN EARNS HERBIE AWARD: ESPN/ABC Analyst Kirk Herbstreit ranked Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun second in his top five underrated coaches in college football. Herbstreit listed Utah's Kyle Whittingham first, Les Miles of LSU third, Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald fourth and Bret Bielema or Wisconsin fifth.

WALLERSTEIN, AMACK EARN MID-SEASON HONORS: Senior OL A.J. Wallerstein and senior LB Brady Amack were each named Midseason All-American honorable mention by Phil Steele's Magazine.
The pair, along with junior OL Jason Kons and sophomore SPC David Baska were named midseason first-team all-Mountain West Conference by the magazine. Senior RB Asher Clark, senior DB Jon Davis, senior OL Michael Hester and junior LB Alex Means were all named second-team all-conference. Junior SPC Parker Herrington was named to the third-team.

SEVEN FALCONS EARN ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS: The Air Force football team had seven players selected to the all-Mountain West Conference football team. Senior offensive lineman A.J. Wallerstein, junior kicker Parker Herrington and senior defensive back Jon Davis were each named first-team all-MW. Senior running back Asher Clark, senior linebacker Brady Amack and senior defensive back Anthony Wright were all second-team honorees. Junior linebacker Alex Means was an honorable mention selection.

HONORS: Honors won by Air Force players in 2011 follow.
• A.J. Wallerstein: First-team all-MW ... American Football Coaches Association Good Works watch list ... Preseason first-team all-MW by MW media ... Preseason first-team all-MW by Phil Steele's Magazine ... Preseason first-team all-MW by Athlon Magazine ... Preseason first-team all-MW by Blue Ribbon Magazine ... Semifinalist for Campbell Trophy as college football's top student-athlete ... Midseason honorable mention All-American by Phil Steele's Magazine ... Midseason first-team all-MW by Phil Steele's Magazine.

• Jonathan Warzeka: Paul Hornung Award watch list ... Preseason Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year by MW media ... Preseason first-team all-MW by MWC media ... Preseason first-team all-MW by Phil Steele's Magazine ... College Football Performance Awards preseason kickoff return specialist watch list ... Preseason second-team all-MW by Athlon Magazine ... Preseason first-team all-MW by Blue Ribbon Magazine.

• Tim Jefferson: College Sports Madness Mountain West Conference offensive player of the week vs. Tennessee State ... Mountain West offensive player of the week vs. Navy ... College Football Madness Mountain West offensive player of the week vs. Navy ... Rivals.com Mountain West offensive player of the week vs. Navy ... National Football Foundation Colorado Chapter player of the week vs. Army ... MW offensive player of the week vs. Colorado State.

• Jon Davis: First-team all-MW ... preseason first-team all-MW by MWC media ... Preseason first-team all-MW by Phil Steele's Magazine ... College Football Performance Awards preseason defensive back watch list ... Preseason first-team all-MW by Athlon Magazine ... Preseason first-team all-MW by Blue Ribbon Magazine ... Midseason second-team all-MW by Phil Steele's Magazine ... MW defensive player of the week vs. Army ... Collegefootabllawards.com defensive back of the week vs. Army ... Collegefootballmadness defensive player of the week vs. Army ... Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week vs. Army ... ESPN Helmet Sticker vs. Army.

• Asher Clark: Second-team all-MW ... Doak Walker National Running Back Award watch list ... Preseason second-team all-MW by Phil Steele's Magazine ... Preseason second-team all-MW by Athlon Magazine ... Midseason second-team all-MW by Phil Steele's Magazine ... College Football Performance Awards running back of the week vs. UNLV ... National Football Foundation, Colorado Chapter player of the week vs. UNLV.

• Jason Kons: Preseason second-team all-MW by Phil Steele's Magazine ... Preseason second-team all-MW by Athlon Magazine ... Midseason first-team all-MW by Phil Steele's Magazine.

• Jordan Waiwaiole: Preseason second-team all-MW by Phil Steele's Magazine.

• Brady Amack: Second-team all-MW ... preseason second-team all-MW by Phil Steele's Magazine ... College Sports Madness Mountain West Conference defensive player of the week vs. TCU ... Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week vs. Navy ... College Football Performance Awards honorable mention linebacker of the week vs. Navy ... Mountain West defensive player of the week vs. Navy ... National Football Foundation, Colorado Chapter player of the week vs. Navy ... Football Writers Association of America/Bronco Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week vs. Navy ... CollegeFootballInsiders.com national defensive player of the week vs. Navy ... ESPN Helmet Sticker vs. Navy ... Midseason honorable mention All-American by Phil Steele's Magazine ... Midseason first-team all-MW by Phil Steele's Magazine.

• Anthony Wright: Second-team all-MW ... preseason first-team all-MW by MWC media ... Preseason second-team all-MW by Phil Steele's Magazine ... College Football Performance Awards preseason punt return specialist watch list ... Preseason second-team all-MW by Athlon Magazine.

• Erik Soderberg: College Football Performance Awards preseason kickoff specialist watch list.

• David Baska: College Football Performance Awards honorable mention punter of the week vs. Navy ... Midseason first-team all-MW by Phill Steele's Magazine.

• Alex Means: Honorable mention all-MW ... Mountain West special teams player of the week vs. Navy ... CollegeFootballInsiders.com national special teams player of the week vs. Navy ... Midseason second-team all-MW by Phil Steele's Magazine ... MW defensive player of the week vs. Colorado State ... College Football Performance Award defensive player of the week vs. Colorado State ... MAACO Las Vegas Bowl Mountain West Player of the Week vs. Colorado State.

• Jamil Cooks: ESPN Helmet Sticker vs. TCU.

• Michael Hester: Midseason second-team all-MW by Phil Steele's Magazine.

• Parker Herrington: First-team all-MW ... midseason third-team all-MW by Phil Steele's Magazine ... MW special teams player of the week vs. Army ... Collegefootballawards.com kicker of the week vs. Army.

• Zack Kauth: College Football Performance Award offensive player of the week vs. Colorado State ... College Football Madness MW offensive player of the week vs. Colorado State.