12-12-2014, 12:32 AM
Hi all, Falcon Fan here hoping for a great game with no injuries to either team. Should be an interesting matchup and 'hopefully' the weather will not be factor (although currently forecasted 39 degrees high and 28 low with 40% showers in the am).
We played our last game beating #23 CSU without our starting QB, starting tightend, starting RB Jacobi Owens (a 1000+ rusher) and leading kickoff returner. QB and TE will be back and 100% for this game although the RB will not. Jon Lee, kickoff returner mentioned in another thread, is no longer on the team but that was the extent of his help for moving the ball this year so, although missed is not a significant loss. Our backups at RB are many and have combined for a 5ypg avg this season either as backups/starters in their time on the field. In addition, our two FBs have combined for 700+yds/4.2ypc and 13TDs.
The focus of our team has been and is running the ball. It's triple option, it's veer, it's the quick pitch, it's the counter, we just try to run the ball. But if you think that stacking the box and making us pass is the key to the win then please be careful. Our starting QB (and the offense) does not throw that often, but Kale Pearson has throw 96/162/1500yds/59.3%/162.5 QB rating/14TD/3Int. Throwing is not our focus but we have done it well when it has been used.
Doing all the above and doing it without losing the ball on TO's is important for all teams and obviously for us. We lost it four times in the loss to Utah State (10-2) but they were all within a 8 minutes span of bad luck mostly and we took the hit for them going in at the half down by 3 TDs + FG due to the TO's. We won the second half (with no TOs) 10-3 but too little too late. So we feel if we take care of the ball we will be in it and compete with you. An interesting note: AF this year won every game played with a daytime kickoff and the three games we lost were 730pm/835pm/835pm MST 'late' kickoffs. Interesting stat as our players always get up between 6-630am during the week except for the day before the game (travel, etc) during the school year. I don't know if it had anything to do with it this year but we were definitely not as sharp on the field in those game (translation: too many TOs). The 345pmMST kickoff for this game is right at our normal practice time at USAFA so I know these guys will be ready and 'awake' for the game.
The key matchup will be our defense vs your very good passing offense. I am not diminishing your rushing game at all so please do not take any offense to that. We have done very well this season overall vs the rush with aggressive play up front and with the LBs. But we have been hurt by good QBs and you have a good one. We are much more physical in our secondary this year and matchup better one on one than we have in years past so it will be an interesting chess match between you QB and our secondary. Our mission will be to pressure him, keep him in the pocket and not let him scramble if we have good coverage and not give up the 'long' ball. I can't wait to see how we respond.
Two great teams with great turnaround seasons for the coaching staffs and players (AF going 2-10 to 9-3 in the MWC and you going 1-11 to 8-4 in the MAC. Kudos for both teams for how well this year has gone.
Take care and safe travels to all heading to the Potato Bowl.
OH YEAH....GO FALCONS
We played our last game beating #23 CSU without our starting QB, starting tightend, starting RB Jacobi Owens (a 1000+ rusher) and leading kickoff returner. QB and TE will be back and 100% for this game although the RB will not. Jon Lee, kickoff returner mentioned in another thread, is no longer on the team but that was the extent of his help for moving the ball this year so, although missed is not a significant loss. Our backups at RB are many and have combined for a 5ypg avg this season either as backups/starters in their time on the field. In addition, our two FBs have combined for 700+yds/4.2ypc and 13TDs.
The focus of our team has been and is running the ball. It's triple option, it's veer, it's the quick pitch, it's the counter, we just try to run the ball. But if you think that stacking the box and making us pass is the key to the win then please be careful. Our starting QB (and the offense) does not throw that often, but Kale Pearson has throw 96/162/1500yds/59.3%/162.5 QB rating/14TD/3Int. Throwing is not our focus but we have done it well when it has been used.
Doing all the above and doing it without losing the ball on TO's is important for all teams and obviously for us. We lost it four times in the loss to Utah State (10-2) but they were all within a 8 minutes span of bad luck mostly and we took the hit for them going in at the half down by 3 TDs + FG due to the TO's. We won the second half (with no TOs) 10-3 but too little too late. So we feel if we take care of the ball we will be in it and compete with you. An interesting note: AF this year won every game played with a daytime kickoff and the three games we lost were 730pm/835pm/835pm MST 'late' kickoffs. Interesting stat as our players always get up between 6-630am during the week except for the day before the game (travel, etc) during the school year. I don't know if it had anything to do with it this year but we were definitely not as sharp on the field in those game (translation: too many TOs). The 345pmMST kickoff for this game is right at our normal practice time at USAFA so I know these guys will be ready and 'awake' for the game.
The key matchup will be our defense vs your very good passing offense. I am not diminishing your rushing game at all so please do not take any offense to that. We have done very well this season overall vs the rush with aggressive play up front and with the LBs. But we have been hurt by good QBs and you have a good one. We are much more physical in our secondary this year and matchup better one on one than we have in years past so it will be an interesting chess match between you QB and our secondary. Our mission will be to pressure him, keep him in the pocket and not let him scramble if we have good coverage and not give up the 'long' ball. I can't wait to see how we respond.
Two great teams with great turnaround seasons for the coaching staffs and players (AF going 2-10 to 9-3 in the MWC and you going 1-11 to 8-4 in the MAC. Kudos for both teams for how well this year has gone.
Take care and safe travels to all heading to the Potato Bowl.
OH YEAH....GO FALCONS