Three things to watch as Air Force hosts Wyoming at noon Saturday:
1. AIR FORCE?S RUSHING ATTACK
Air Force leads the Mountain West Conference and ranks third in the nation in rushing with 281.3 yards per game, but it has yet to have a truly dominating performance on the ground against a Football Bowl Subdivision squad. Air Force has not rushed for more than 300 yards against an FBS opponent after doing it four times in 2008. The Falcons showed some improvement last week, compiling 229 yards against TCU, which came into the game with the nation?s top rushing defense. Air Force could use more production from its tailbacks. A tailback has not rushed for more than 100 yards since Asher Clark did it last season against CSU on Nov. 8. Wyoming is giving up 119.5 yards rushing per game, fourth fewest in the MWC.
2. THE COWBOYS? YOUNGSTERS
Like Air Force, Wyoming is a young team. The Cowboys have used 12 true freshmen, including six who have started in a game (tied with Miami (Ohio) for the most in the nation). Quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels, who has started the past three games for the Cowboys, is a true freshman, as is Wyoming?s leading rusher, Alvester Alexander, and fourth-leading tackler, strong safety Shamiel Gary. The Cowboys? third-leading rusher, Brandon Stewart, is a sophomore, as are inside linebackers Gabe Knapton and Brian Hendricks, the team?s leading and third-leading tacklers, respectively. And 23 of the 44 players listed as offensive or defensive starters or backups on Wyoming?s depth chart are sophomores or freshmen.
3. AIR FORCE QB CONNOR DIETZ
The sophomore could get his third start ? and second in a row ? in place of Tim Jefferson, last year?s MWC Freshman of the Year, who has been hampered by a right ankle sprain. Dietz was solid but not spectacular in leading the Falcons to victory over San Diego State on Sept. 26 in his first start. And he played better in his second start last Saturday against TCU. In that game, he rushed for a team-high 71 yards and led a late scoring drive. His passing has been shaky (he completed 6-of-17 for 42 yards against the Horned Frogs), but if it improves, he will have a case for the starting spot ? whether Jefferson is healthy or not.
KEY MATCHUP
Air Force?s secondary vs. Wyoming QB Austyn Carta-Samuels
The Cowboys are 3-0 since Carta-Samuels took over as their starting quarterback. But his three starts came against a UNLV team that has given up 152 points in three straight losses, and a pair of winless squads (Florida Atlantic and New Mexico). So the precocious quarterback will get by far his toughest test today against an Air Force defense that ranks 11th in the nation in scoring (13.8 points allowed per game) and 18th in total defense (282.2 yards allowed per game). Look for Air Force to bring plenty of pressure and to disguise blitzes and coverage packages in an attempt to confuse Carta-Samuels.
1. AIR FORCE?S RUSHING ATTACK
Air Force leads the Mountain West Conference and ranks third in the nation in rushing with 281.3 yards per game, but it has yet to have a truly dominating performance on the ground against a Football Bowl Subdivision squad. Air Force has not rushed for more than 300 yards against an FBS opponent after doing it four times in 2008. The Falcons showed some improvement last week, compiling 229 yards against TCU, which came into the game with the nation?s top rushing defense. Air Force could use more production from its tailbacks. A tailback has not rushed for more than 100 yards since Asher Clark did it last season against CSU on Nov. 8. Wyoming is giving up 119.5 yards rushing per game, fourth fewest in the MWC.
2. THE COWBOYS? YOUNGSTERS
Like Air Force, Wyoming is a young team. The Cowboys have used 12 true freshmen, including six who have started in a game (tied with Miami (Ohio) for the most in the nation). Quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels, who has started the past three games for the Cowboys, is a true freshman, as is Wyoming?s leading rusher, Alvester Alexander, and fourth-leading tackler, strong safety Shamiel Gary. The Cowboys? third-leading rusher, Brandon Stewart, is a sophomore, as are inside linebackers Gabe Knapton and Brian Hendricks, the team?s leading and third-leading tacklers, respectively. And 23 of the 44 players listed as offensive or defensive starters or backups on Wyoming?s depth chart are sophomores or freshmen.
3. AIR FORCE QB CONNOR DIETZ
The sophomore could get his third start ? and second in a row ? in place of Tim Jefferson, last year?s MWC Freshman of the Year, who has been hampered by a right ankle sprain. Dietz was solid but not spectacular in leading the Falcons to victory over San Diego State on Sept. 26 in his first start. And he played better in his second start last Saturday against TCU. In that game, he rushed for a team-high 71 yards and led a late scoring drive. His passing has been shaky (he completed 6-of-17 for 42 yards against the Horned Frogs), but if it improves, he will have a case for the starting spot ? whether Jefferson is healthy or not.
KEY MATCHUP
Air Force?s secondary vs. Wyoming QB Austyn Carta-Samuels
The Cowboys are 3-0 since Carta-Samuels took over as their starting quarterback. But his three starts came against a UNLV team that has given up 152 points in three straight losses, and a pair of winless squads (Florida Atlantic and New Mexico). So the precocious quarterback will get by far his toughest test today against an Air Force defense that ranks 11th in the nation in scoring (13.8 points allowed per game) and 18th in total defense (282.2 yards allowed per game). Look for Air Force to bring plenty of pressure and to disguise blitzes and coverage packages in an attempt to confuse Carta-Samuels.
