The Utes aim for their fourth consecutive victory when they take on the Falcons in a Mountain West Conference football game at Salt Lake City, Utah.
Utah (5-1 overall, 2-0 Mountain West) has not lost since dropping a 31-24 decision at Oregon on Sept. 19. Surging Oregon is No. 11 in the BCS standings, and if the Ducks keep winning, the less damaging the defeat is for the Utes.
Of course, Utah wouldn’t mind some quality victories of its own. Coach Kyle Whittingham’s Utes still have conference games vs. No. 8 TCU and No. 16 Brigham Young on the schedule, not to mention four other Mountain West contests.
Up next is an Air Force team that boasts a fierce, opportunistic defense as well as a tricky option offense. Coach Troy Calhoun’s Falcons (4-3, 3-1) are coming off a 10-0 conference shutout of Wyoming. A week before that, they gave TCU fits before losing 20-17.
Utah, which defeated UNLV 35-15 last week, has had a rough time vs. Air Force over the years. The Falcons lead the series 14-11, and actually have a winning record (7-6) playing at Utah. But the Utes won at the academy last year, 30-23.
Saturday’s game is scheduled for 4 p.m. EST and will be telecast by the Versus Network.
Air Force Defense Ranks High in FBS
The Falcons are giving up only 11.9 points and 266.7 yards per game, ranking seventh and 10th in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. Air Force is also third in the FBS with 21 turnovers gained.
Freshman cornerback Anthony Wright leads the Falcons with three interceptions and is also third on the team with 33 tackles. Junior cornerback Reggie Rembert missed the first two games of the season because of a suspension, but he’s since recorded two interceptions, forced two fumbles and recovered two fumbles along with making 24 tackles.
Linebackers Justin Moore and John Falgout are the leading tacklers, with 47 and 46, and linebacker Andre Morris – who is recovering from a concussion – has 33 tackles and three sacks. Rick Ricketts paces Air Force defensive linemen with 30 tackles, including three sacks.
The Falcons have recorded 20 sacks, with lineman Ben Garland having 4.5 of them among his 7.5 tackles for loss. End Myles Morales has added 3.5 sacks.
Falcons Offense Struggling
Air Force is averaging 26.9 points per game, but only 15.3 over its last three. The Falcons were blanked in the first half of their victory over Wyoming, and finished with only 269 yards. They had only 287 in the loss to TCU.
On the season, the Falcons are gaining 346.1 yards per contest, and as usual, most come on the ground. Air Force boasts the No. 4 rushing attack in the FBS with a 279.29 average.
Fullback Jared Tew is the most oft-used weapon, battling for 422 yards and four TDs, averaging 3.5 yards per carry. Savier Stevens (367 yards, 1 TD, 5.4 average) and Asher Clark (351 yards, 5.2 average) are the team’s No. 2 and No. 3 rushers.
The Falcons have used two quarterbacks, with freshman Tim Jefferson being more of the passer and sophomore Connor Dietz being more of a runner. Jefferson’s thrown for 319 yards and two TDs, and Dietz has run for 271 yards, averaging six yards per attempt.
On the rare occasions when the Falcons pass, they like to go for the home run. Kevin Fogler is the top threat, making 11 catches for 223 yards and all four of his team’s TD receptions. One of the touchdown passes came from fellow wideout Jonathan Wazerka, who’s made 11 catches for 139 yards.
Utah Defensive Back Johnson Tied for FBS Interceptions Lead
Utah DB Robert Johnson returned an interception 64 yards for touchdown vs. UNLV – one week after making three picks in a 24-17 conference win over Colorado State. With five interceptions on the year, Johnson is tied for the FBS interceptions lead with four other players.
The senior helps steady a defense that’s giving up 18 points and 306.7 yards per game. He’s joined in a solid secondary by the likes of Joe Dale (26 tackles), Brandon Burton (5 pass breakups) and R.J Stanford (5 pass breakups).
Mike Wright has posted a team-high 35 tackles along with two interceptions, and fellow linebacker Stevenson Sylvester is second on the team with 32 tackles. The defensive line featues end Koa Misi (29 tackles, 2 forced fumbles in 5 games) and tackle Christian Cox (2.5 sacks). Cox also had an interception vs. UNLV.
QB Cain Propels Utah Offense
The Utah offense is propelled by quarterback Terrance Cain, who is dangerous as both a passer and runner. The junior has run for 303 yards and two TDs, averaging 4.5 yards per carry. And he’s completing 64.4 percent of his passes for 1,336 yards, with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions.
David Reed has been the No. 1 target making 38 catches for 546 yards and three touchdowns. Jeremy Brooks has 25 receptions for 282 yards, and also has three TD receptions.
Eddie Wide, who took over as the lead running back after Matt Asiata suffered a season-ending knee injury, has run for 408 yards. The senior, who averages 5.8 yards per carry, has scored three TDs.
Utah is averaging 28.7 points and 419 yards per game.
