2018 Air Force Falcons football team

The 2018 Air Force Falcons football team represented the United States Air Force Academy in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Falcons were led by twelfth-year head coach Troy Calhoun and played their home games at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They were members of the Mountain West Conference in the Mountain Division. They finished the season 5–7, 3–5 in Mountain West play to finish in fourth place in the Mountain Division.

2018 Air Force Falcons football
Conference	Mountain West Conference
	Mountain Division
2018 record	5–7 (3–5 MW)
Head coach	Troy Calhoun (12th season)
Offensive coordinator	Mike Thiessen (8th season as coordinator, 11th overall season)
Offensive scheme	Triple option
Defensive coordinator	John Rudzinski (1st season as coordinator, 8th overall season)
Base defense	3-4
Home stadium	Falcon Stadium (Capacity: 46,692)
Uniform

2018 Mountain West Conference football standings
	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
Mountain Division
No. 23 Boise State x		7	–	1					10	–	3
No. 22 Utah State		7	–	1					11	–	2
Wyoming		4	–	4					6	–	6
Air Force		3	–	5					5	–	7
Colorado State		2	–	6					3	–	9
New Mexico		1	–	7					3	–	9
West Division
No. 18 Fresno State x$		7	–	1					12	–	2
Nevada		5	–	3					8	–	5
Hawaii		5	–	3					8	–	6
San Diego State		4	–	4					7	–	6
UNLV		2	–	6					4	–	8
San Jose State		1	–	7					1	–	11
Championship: Fresno State 19, Boise State 16 (OT)
$ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant Rankings from AP Poll

Previous season

The Falcons finished the 2017 season 5–7, 4–4 in Mountain West play to finish in a tie for fourth place in the Mountain Division.

Preseason

Mountain West media days

During the Mountain West media days held July 24–25 at the Cosmopolitan on the Las Vegas Strip, the Falcons were predicted to finish in fifth place in the Mountain Division.[1] They did not have any players selected to the preseason all-Mountain West team.

Media poll

Mountain Division
Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
1	Boise State	132 (22)
2	Wyoming	95
3	Colorado State	82
4	Utah State	78
5	Air Force	52
6	New Mexico	23

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 1	12:00 p.m.	No. 20 (FCS) Stony Brook*	Falcon Stadium Colorado Springs, CO	Stadium	W 38–0	33,415
September 8	12:00 p.m.	at Florida Atlantic*	FAU Stadium Boca Raton, FL	CBSSN	L 27–33	24,101
September 22	8:15 p.m.	at Utah State	Maverik Stadium Logan, UT	ESPN2	L 32–42	22,720
September 29	1:00 p.m.	Nevada	Falcon Stadium Colorado Springs, CO	ESPNews	L 25–28	23,707
October 6	1:30 p.m.	Navy*	Falcon Stadium Colorado Springs, CO (Commander-in-Chief's Trophy)	CBSSN	W 35–7	40,175
October 12	7:00 p.m.	at San Diego State	SDCCU Stadium San Diego, CA	CBSSN	L 17–21	25,326
October 19	8:00 p.m.	at UNLV	Sam Boyd Stadium Whitney, NV	CBSSN	W 41–35	17,881
October 27	5:00 p.m.	Boise State	Falcon Stadium Colorado Springs, CO	CBSSN	L 38–48	27,753
November 3	10:00 a.m.	at Army*	Michie Stadium West Point, NY (Commander-in-Chief's Trophy)	CBSSN	L 14–17	38,502
November 10	1:30 p.m.	New Mexico	Falcon Stadium Colorado Springs, CO	CBSSN	W 42–24	23,723
November 17	2:00 p.m.	at Wyoming	War Memorial Stadium Laramie, WY	ESPNews	L 27–35	14,966
November 22	1:30 p.m.	Colorado State	Falcon Stadium Colorado Springs, CO (rivalry)	CBSSN	W 27–19	17,432
*Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Mountain time

[2]

Game summaries

Stony Brook

Stony Brook Seawolves at Air Force Falcons

	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 20 (FCS) Seawolves	0	0	0	0	0
Falcons	14	10	0	14	38

at Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, Colorado

• Date: September 1, 2018
• Game time: 12:00 p.m.
• Game weather: Partly cloudy, 75 °F (24 °C)
• Game attendance: 33,415
• Referee: Mike Vanderveld
• TV announcers (Stadium): Ari Wolfe, Max Starks, Dani Klupenger
• Boxscore

Game information

First Quarter (10:21) AFA – Worthman 7 yard TD rush, Philichi kick, AFA 0–7 (9:41) AFA – Johnson 32 yard interception return for TD, Philichi kick, AFA 0–14 Second Quarter (12:36) AFA – Philichi 48 yard FG, AFA 0–17 (6:37) AFA – Fagan 16 yard TD rush, Philichi kick, AFA 0–24 Third Quarter No scoring Fourth Quarter (13:45) AFA – Sanders 1 yard TD rush, Philichi kick, AFA 0–31 (2:40) AFA – Hammond III 5 yard rush, Koehnke kick, AFA 0–38 Passing SB – Joe Carbone: 5/16, 30 yards, 1 INT AFA – Arion Worthman: 2/8, 29 yards Rushing SB – Donald Liotine: 12 carries, 31 yards AFA – Joseph Saucier: 10 carries, 71 yards Receiving SB – Donavin Washington: 2 receptions, 17 yards AFA – Marcus Bennett: 1 reception, 25 yards

at Florida Atlantic

Air Force Falcons at Florida Atlantic Owls

	1	2	3	4	Total
Falcons	0	7	13	7	27
Owls	6	13	6	8	33

at FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, Florida

• Date: September 8, 2018
• Game time: 12:00 p.m.
• Game weather: Partly cloudy, 85 °F (29 °C)
• Game attendance: 24,101
• Referee: Kevin Boitmann
• TV announcers (CBSSN): Rich Waltz, Aaron Murray, Amanda Balionis
• Boxscore

Game information

First Quarter (10:16) FAU – Rivas 24 yard FG, FAU 0–3 (3:22) FAU – Rivas 34 yard FG, FAU 0–6 Second Quarter (7:12) FAU – Singletary 36 yard TD rush, Rivas kick, FAU 0–13 (2:50) AFA – Eriksen 1 yard TD rush, Philichi kick, FAU 7–13 (0:27) FAU – Wright 17 yard TD pass from Robison, Two-Point pass failed, FAU 7–19 Third Quarter (11:46) AFA – Waguespack 12 yard TD pass from Sanders, Philichi kick, FAU 14–19 (9:40) FAU – Durante 48 yard TD pass from Robison, Rivas kick failed, FAU 14–25 (6:00) AFA – Birdow 7 yard TD rush, Two-Point pass failed, FAU 20–25 Fourth Quarter (10:41) FAU – Wright 26 yard TD pass from Robison, Two-Point pass, FAU 20–33 (0:50) AFA – Wills 5 yard blocked punt return, Philichi kick, FAU 27–33 Passing AFA – Isaiah Sanders: 8/13, 164 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT FAU – Chris Robison: 33/44, 471, 3 TDs Rushing AFA – Cole Fagan: 16 carries, 80 yards FAU – Devin Singletary: 16 carries, 57 yards, 1 TD Receiving AFA – Marcus Bennett: 2 receptions, 87 yards FAU – Jovon Durante: 12 receptions, 174, 1 TD

at Utah State

Air Force Falcons at Utah State Aggies

	1	2	3	4	Total
Falcons	0	14	3	15	32
Aggies	7	14	14	7	42

at Maverik Stadium, Provo, Utah

• Date: September 22, 2018
• Game time: 8:15 p.m.
• Game weather: Clear skies, 72 °F (22 °C)
• Game attendance: 22,720
• Referee: Kevin Hassell
• TV announcers (ESPN2): Roy Philpott, Tom Ramsey
• Boxscore

Game information

First Quarter (9:08) USU – Thompson 6 yard TD rush, Eberle kick, USU 0–7 Second Quarter (13:48) AFA – Sanders 1 yard TD rush, Philichi kick, Tied 7–7 (7:13) AFA – Fagan 8 yard TD rush, Philichi kick, AFA 14–7 (6:18) USU – Bright 4 yard TD rush, Eberle kick, Tied 14–14 (1:02) USU – Vaughns 43 yard TD pass from Love, Eberle kick, USU 14–21 Third Quarter (9:04) USU – Thompson 1 yard TD rush, Eberle kick, USU 14–28 (8:15) USU – Raymond 30 yard TD pass from Love, Eberle kick, USU 14–35 (2:48) AFA – Koehnke 31 yard FG, USU 17–35 Fourth Quarter (13:13) AFA – Remsberg 9 yard TD rush, two-point pass, USU 25–35 (13:00) AFA – Musselman 21 yard fumble return TD, Koehnke kick, USU 32–35 (6:52) USU – Bright 70 yard TD rush, Eberle kick, USU 32–42 Passing AFA – Isaiah Sanders: 9/17, 125 yards USU – Jordan Love: 26/38, 356 yards, 2 TDs Rushing AFA – Kadin Remsberg: 17 carries, 94 yards, 1 TD USU – Gerold Bright: 11 carries, 101 yards, 2 TDs Receiving AFA – Marcus Bennett: 5 receptions, 74 yards USU – Ron'Quavion Tarver: 9 receptions, 128 yards

Nevada

Nevada Wolf Pack at Air Force Falcons

	1	2	3	4	Total
Wolf Pack	7	14	7	0	28
Falcons	0	7	10	8	25

at Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, Colorado

• Date: September 29, 2018
• Game time: 1:00 p.m.
• Game attendance: 23,707
• TV announcers (ESPNews): Doug Sherman, Dustin Fox

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Passing NEV – AFA – Rushing NEV – AFA – Receiving NEV – AFA –

Navy

47th Battle for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy: Navy Midshipmen at Air Force Falcons

	1	2	3	4	Total
Midshipmen	0	7	0	0	7
Falcons	0	14	14	7	35

at Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, Colorado

• Date: October 6, 2018
• Game time: 1:30 p.m.
• Game attendance: 40,175
• TV announcers (CBSSN): Carter Blackburn, Aaron Taylor

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Passing NAVY – AFA – Rushing NAVY – AFA – Receiving NAVY – AFA –

at San Diego State

Air Force Falcons at San Diego State Aztecs

	1	2	3	4	Total
Falcons	2	7	0	8	17
Aztecs	7	7	0	7	21

at SDCCU Stadium, San Diego, California

• Date: October 12, 2018
• Game time: 7:00 p.m.
• Game attendance: 25,326
• TV announcers (CBSSN): Carter Blackburn, Aaron Taylor

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Passing AFA – SDSU – Rushing AFA – SDSU – Receiving AFA – SDSU –

at UNLV

Air Force Falcons at UNLV Rebels

	1	2	3	4	Total
Falcons	3	17	21	0	41
Rebels	7	14	7	7	35

at Sam Boyd Stadium, Whitney, Nevada

• Date: October 19, 2018
• Game time: 8:00 p.m.
• Game attendance: 17,881
• TV: CBSSN

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Passing AFA – UNLV – Rushing AFA – UNLV – Receiving AFA – UNLV –

Boise State

Boise State Broncos at Air Force Falcons

	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	14	14	10	10	48
Falcons	7	21	3	7	38

at Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, Colorado

• Date: October 27, 2018
• Game time: 5:00 p.m.
• Game attendance: 27,753
• TV: CBSSN

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Passing BSU – AFA – Rushing BSU – AFA – Receiving BSU – AFA –

at Army

47th Battle for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy: Air Force Falcons at Army Black Knights

	1	2	3	4	Total
Falcons	0	0	6	8	14
Black Knights	7	7	0	3	17

at Michie Stadium, West Point, New York

• Date: November 3, 2018
• Game time: 10:00 a.m.
• Game weather: Temperature: 53 F • Wind: W 19 mph • Weather: Cloudy, chilly
• Game attendance: 38,502
• Referee: Mike Defee
• TV announcers (CBSSN): Ben Holden (Play-by-play), Jay Feely (color) & Tina Cervasio (sideline)
• ESPN – Army holds off Air Force 17-14, 11th straight win at home[3]

Game information

First Quarter (02:05) ARMY TD: Darnell Woolfolk 1-yard rush (John Abercrombie kick); 21 plays, 75 yards, 12:55 Second Quarter (04:03) ARMY TD: Kelvin Hopkins Jr. 6-yard rush (John Abercrombie kick); 11 plays, 89 yards, 6:47 Third Quarter (00:54) AFA TD: Donald Hammond III 1-yard rush (Jake Koehnke kick failed); 9 plays, 34 yards, 3:50 Fourth Quarter (08:35) ARMY FG: John Abercrombie 30-yard field goal; 13 plays, 62 yards, 7:19 (05:27) AFA TD: Joseph Saucier 6-yard rush (Joseph Saucier rush); 10 plays, 75 yards, 3:08 Passing AFA – Donald Hammond III: 7/15, 120 yds ARMY – Kelvin Hopkins Jr.: 3/5, 44 yds Rushing AFA – Cole Fagan: 10 att, 37 yds ARMY – Darnell Woolfolk: 21 att, 117 yds, 1 TD Receiving AFA – Geraud Sanders: 3 rec, 55 yds ARMY – Jordan Asberry: 2 rec, 35 yds

New Mexico

New Mexico Lobos at Air Force Falcons

	1	2	3	4	Total
Lobos	0	17	7	0	24
Falcons	7	14	14	7	42

at Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, Colorado

• Date: November 10, 2018
• Game time: 1:30 p.m.
• Game attendance: 23,723
• TV: CBSSN

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Passing UNM – AFA – Rushing UNM – AFA – Receiving UNM – AFA –

at Wyoming

Air Force Falcons at Wyoming Cowboys

	1	2	3	4	Total
Falcons	7	10	7	3	27
Cowboys	14	0	0	21	35

at War Memorial Stadium, Laramie, Wyoming

• Date: November 17, 2018
• Game time: 2:00 p.m.
• Game attendance: 14,966
• TV: ESPNews

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Passing AFA – WYO – Rushing AFA – WYO – Receiving AFA – WYO –

Colorado State

56th Battle for the Ram–Falcon Trophy: Colorado State Rams at Air Force Falcons

	1	2	3	4	Total
Rams	0	13	0	6	19
Falcons	7	10	0	10	27

at Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, Colorado

• Date: November 24, 2018
• Game time: 1:30 p.m.
• Game weather: Temperature: 54 F • Wind: WSW 5-10 mph • Weather: Partly Cloudy
• Game attendance: 17,432
• Referee: Eddy Shelton
• TV announcers (CBSSN): Rich Waltz (Play-by-play), Aaron Murray (color) & Amanda Balionis (sideline)
• ESPN – Fagan rushes for 260, Air Force beats Colorado State 27-19[4] /// Box Score, Colorado State at Air Force[5]

Game information

First Quarter (05:48) AF TD: Cole Fagan 3-yard rush (Jake Koehnke kick); 13 plays, 80 yards, 5:54 Second Quarter (10:34) AF TD: Marcus Bennett 16-yard pass from Donald Hammond III (Jake Koehnke kick); 4 plays, 74 yards, 1:35 (07:07) CSU TD: Preston Williams 34-yard pass from Collin Hill (Wyatt Bryan kick failed); 10 plays, 92 yards, 3:21 (01:09) AF FG: Jake Koehnke 29-yard field goal; 12 plays, 63 yards, 5:58 (00:26) CSU TD: Preston Williams 58-yard pass from Collin Hill (Wyatt Bryan kick); 5 plays, 75 yards, 0:43 Third Quarter No Scoring Fourth Quarter (13:49) AF FG: Jake Koehnke 39-yard field goal; 18 plays, 76 yards, 6:51 (09:53) CSU TD: Preston Williams 31-yard pass from K.J. Carta-Samuels (Wyatt Bryan kick blocked); 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:56 (03:35) AF TD: Kadin Remsberg 4-yard rush (Jake Koehnke kick); 11 plays, 75 yards, 6:18 Passing CSU – Collin Hill: 13/23, 284 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT AF – Donald Hammond III: 8/16, 81 yds, 1 TD Rushing CSU – Izzy Matthews: 10 att, 52 yds AF – Cole Fagan: 34 att, 260 yds, 1 TD Receiving CSU – Preston Williams: 12 rec, 248 yds, 3 TD AF – Marcus Bennett: 3 rec, 34 yds, 1 TD

[6]

Players drafted into the NFL

Round	Pick	Player	Position	NFL Club
7	250	Austin Cutting	LS	Minnesota Vikings

References

1. https://themw.com/news/2018/7/24/boise-state-fresno-state-picked-to-win-2018-mountain-west-football-divisional-titles.aspx
2. 2018 Air Force Falcons football schedule FBSchedules.com. Accessed March 30, 2018.
3. "Air Force at Army – Game Summary – November 3, 2018". ESPN. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
4. "Colorado State at Air Force – Game Summary – November 22, 2018". ESPN. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
5. "Scoring Summary (Final) Colorado State at Air Force (Nov 22, 2018 at USAFA, Colo.)". USAFA Athletic Department. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
6. "Profile of the Air Force Falcons". Winsipedia. Retrieved 4 April 2018.