2023 Air Force Falcons football | |
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Armed Forces Bowl champion | |
Armed Forces Bowl, W 31–21 vs. James Madison | |
Conference | Mountain West Conference |
Record | 9–4 (5–3 MW) |
Head coach |
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Offensive coordinator | Mike Thiessen (14th season) |
Offensive scheme | Triple option |
Defensive coordinator | Brian Knorr (2nd season) |
Base defense | 3–4 |
Home stadium | Falcon Stadium |
Uniform | |
Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UNLV y | 6 | – | 2 | 9 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Boise State y$ | 6 | – | 2 | 8 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
San Jose State | 6 | – | 2 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Air Force | 5 | – | 3 | 9 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wyoming | 5 | – | 3 | 9 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fresno State | 4 | – | 4 | 9 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Utah State | 4 | – | 4 | 6 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hawaii | 3 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Colorado State | 3 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nevada | 2 | – | 6 | 2 | – | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
New Mexico | 2 | – | 6 | 4 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
San Diego State | 2 | – | 6 | 4 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Championship: Boise State 44, UNLV 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 2023 Air Force Falcons football team represented the United States Air Force Academy in the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The season was the team's 69th overall, 25th as a member of the Mountain West Conference, and 10th in the Mountain West's Mountain Division. The team played their home games at Falcon Stadium and were led by 17th-year head coach Troy Calhoun. [1] The Air Force Falcons football team drew an average home attendance of 29,616 in 2023.
The 2023 Mountain West preseason media poll was released on July 19. The Falcons were predicted to finish second in the conference. [2]
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
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September 2 | 11:00 a.m. | Robert Morris * | Altitude | W 42–7 | 30,142 | ||
September 9 | 6:00 p.m. | vs. Sam Houston * | CBSSN | W 13–3 | 25,121 | ||
September 15 | 6:00 p.m. | Utah State |
| CBSSN | W 39–21 | 18,400 | |
September 22 | 8:30 p.m. | at San Jose State | FS1 | W 45–20 | 16,124 | ||
September 30 | 6:00 p.m. | San Diego State |
| CBSSN | W 49–10 | 24,869 | |
October 14 | 5:00 p.m. | Wyoming |
| CBSSN | W 34–27 | 28,311 | |
October 21 | 10:00 a.m. | at Navy * | No. 22 | CBS | W 17–6 | 38,803 | |
October 28 | 5:00 p.m. | at Colorado State | No. 19 | CBSSN | W 30–13 | 22,570 | |
November 4 | 12:30 p.m. | vs. Army * | No. 25 |
| CBSSN | L 3–23 | 52,401 |
November 11 | 9:00 p.m. | at Hawaii | SPEC PPV, MW Network | L 13–27 | 12,742 | ||
November 18 | 1:30 p.m. | UNLV |
| CBSSN | L 27–31 | 23,574 | |
November 24 | 2:00 p.m. | at Boise State | FS1 | L 19–27 | 36,390 | ||
December 23 | 1:30 p.m. | vs. James Madison | ABC | W 31–21 | 30,828 | ||
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2023 Air Force Football Coaching Staff | |||
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Name | Position | Season | College |
Troy Calhoun | Head Coach | 17th | Air Force (1989) |
Marc Bacote | Tight Ends | 2nd | James Madison (2000) |
Jake Campbell | Slot Backs | 12th | Air Force (1996) |
Tim Horton | Running Backs, Special Teams Coordinator | 3rd | Arkansas (1989) |
Charlie Jackson | Asst. head coach/defensive backs coach | 2nd | Air Force (2000) |
Brian Knorr | Defensive Coordinator | 1st | Air Force (1986) |
Ken Lamendola | Inside Linebackers | 2nd | Air Force (2011) |
Steed Lobotzke | Offensive Line | 9th | Air Force (1992) |
Matt McGettigan | Director of Speed - Strength & Conditioning | 17th | Luther College (1987) |
Alex Means | Defensive Line | 2nd | Air Force (2013) |
Brett Skene | Specialists/Assistant Offensive Line | 2nd | Air Force (2011) |
Taylor Stubblefield | Wide Receivers Coach | 1st | Purdue (2005) |
Mike Thiessen | Off. Coordinator, Quarterbacks | 17th | Air Force (2001) |
Nick Toth | Safeties | 2nd | Ohio (1999) |
E.J. Whitlow | Defensive Ends | 2nd | Findlay (2010) |
Kale Pearson | Director of Recruiting | 2nd | Air Force (2015) |
Chuck Petersen | Football Executive/Assistant Recruiting Director | 1st | Air Force (1985) |
Anthony Wright | Defensive Assistant | 2nd | Air Force (2012) |
Coaching Staff Source: [4]
(Please note that the Air Force football team rarely lists freshman players on their official roster)
2023 Air Force Falcons Football Roster | ||||
Quarterback
Running back
Wide receiver
Tight end
Specialist
| Fullback
Offensive Lineman
Defensive Lineman
| Linebacker
Defensive back
Long snapper
|
Roster Source: [5]
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colonials | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
Falcons | 14 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 42 |
at Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, CO
Game information | ||
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Statistics | RMU | AF |
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First downs | 9 | 24 |
3rd down efficiency | 3–11 | 6–10 |
4th down efficiency | 0–1 | 1–3 |
Plays–yards | 50–156 | 59–469 |
Rushes–yards | 26–43 | 56–374 |
Passing yards | 113 | 95 |
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 18–24–0 | 2–3–0 |
Penalties–yards | 9–61 | 2–10 |
Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
Time of possession | 27:49 | 32:11 |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Falcons | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 13 |
Bearkats | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Game information | ||
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|
Statistics | AF | SAM |
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First downs | 18 | 6 |
3rd down efficiency | 5–13 | 3–13 |
4th down efficiency | 0–1 | 1–1 |
Plays–yards | 62–258 | 44–80 |
Rushes–yards | 59–244 | 30–36 |
Passing yards | 14 | 44 |
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 1–3–0 | 8–14–0 |
Penalties–yards | 2–20 | 2–25 |
Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
Time of possession | 36:38 | 23:22 |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aggies | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
Falcons | 22 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 39 |
at Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, CO
Game information | ||
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|
Statistics | USU | AF |
---|---|---|
First downs | 20 | 24 |
3rd down efficiency | 3–11 | 9–13 |
4th down efficiency | 2–3 | 1–1 |
Plays–yards | 61–302 | 68–428 |
Rushes–yards | 26–54 | 64–344 |
Passing yards | 248 | 84 |
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 20–35–1 | 3–4–0 |
Penalties–yards | 4–17 | 6–60 |
Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
Time of possession | 21:20 | 38:40 |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Falcons | 3 | 14 | 7 | 21 | 45 |
Spartans | 6 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
at CEFCU Stadium, San Jose, CA
Game information | ||
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|
Statistics | AF | SJS |
---|---|---|
First downs | 25 | 18 |
3rd down efficiency | 10–15 | 3–8 |
4th down efficiency | 3–3 | 0–2 |
Plays–yards | 75–428 | 52–354 |
Rushes–yards | 73–400 | 17–115 |
Passing yards | 28 | 239 |
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 2–2–0 | 24–35–1 |
Penalties–yards | 4–43 | 6–48 |
Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
Time of possession | 39:05 | 20:55 |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aztecs | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Falcons | 0 | 21 | 21 | 7 | 49 |
at Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, CO
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Statistics | SDSU | AF |
---|---|---|
First downs | 14 | 24 |
3rd down efficiency | 4–13 | 4–8 |
4th down efficiency | 3–4 | 2–2 |
Plays–yards | 55–227 | 59–476 |
Rushes–yards | 30–105 | 52–287 |
Passing yards | 122 | 189 |
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 13–25–1 | 6–7–0 |
Penalties–yards | 5–34 | 1–5 |
Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
Time of possession | 27:55 | 32:05 |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cowboys | 14 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 27 |
Falcons | 7 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 34 |
at Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, CO
Game information | ||
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|
Statistics | WYO | AF |
---|---|---|
First downs | 18 | 22 |
3rd down efficiency | 9–15 | 7–10 |
4th down efficiency | 1–2 | 1–1 |
Plays–yards | 60–321 | 62–414 |
Rushes–yards | 35–109 | 53–356 |
Passing yards | 212 | 58 |
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 15–25–0 | 6–9–0 |
Penalties–yards | 3–25 | 1–9 |
Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
Time of possession | 30:13 | 29:49 |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 22 Falcons | 0 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 17 |
Midshipmen | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, MD
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Statistics | AF | NAV |
---|---|---|
First downs | 8 | 10 |
3rd down efficiency | 1–13 | 3–17 |
4th down efficiency | 2–2 | 2–2 |
Plays–yards | 53–288 | 64–124 |
Rushes–yards | 48–137 | 35–22 |
Passing yards | 151 | 102 |
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 4–5–0 | 15–29–2 |
Penalties–yards | 5–30 | 4–50 |
Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
Time of possession | 31:44 | 28:16 |
For the game against Navy, Air Force commemorated the Doolittle Raiders with the 2023 edition of the Air Power Legacy Series uniforms.
The Doolittle Raiders were the 80 crew members of 16 B-25B Mitchell bombers who launched the first raid on mainland Japan during World War II on April 18, 1942, led by United States Army Air Force Lt. Col. James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle.
The uniform featured a chrome helmet with an image of a B-25 aircraft on the right side, while the left bore the Raiders squadron patch designed by the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Association. The jersey featured letters and numbers resembling the riveted aluminum used in the B-25's construction. The left sleeve featured another Raiders squadron patch. The pants featured the roundel logo on the left front, which includes the roundel that appeared on the aircraft. The Raiders mantra, "Ever into Peril", appeared down the right side of the pants, while the French translation "Toujours au Danger" is on the left leg. [20]
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 19 Falcons | 7 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 30 |
Rams | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
at Canvas Stadium, Fort Collins, CO
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Statistics | AF | CSU |
---|---|---|
First downs | 18 | 17 |
3rd down efficiency | 8–15 | 5–13 |
4th down efficiency | 1–1 | 0–3 |
Plays–yards | 64–293 | 64–339 |
Rushes–yards | 57–261 | 19–42 |
Passing yards | 32 | 297 |
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 4–7–0 | 28–45–0 |
Penalties–yards | 2–15 | 5–54 |
Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
Time of possession | 35:58 | 24:02 |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Black Knights | 17 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
No. 25 Falcons | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
at Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Statistics | ARMY | AF |
---|---|---|
First downs | 11 | 19 |
3rd down efficiency | 4–14 | 5–14 |
4th down efficiency | 1–2 | 0–2 |
Plays–yards | 60–253 | 64–259 |
Rushes–yards | 51–213 | 40–155 |
Passing yards | 40 | 104 |
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 4–9–0 | 10–24–2 |
Penalties–yards | 11–119 | 6–55 |
Turnovers | 0 | 6 |
Time of possession | 32:09 | 27:51 |
Week | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
AP | — | — | — | — | RV | RV | RV | 22 | 19 | 17 | RV | — | — | — | — | — |
Coaches | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | 22 | 19 | 17 | RV | RV | RV | — | — | RV |
CFP | Not released | 25 | — | — | — | — | — | Not released |
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.
The 2019 Air Force Falcons football team represented the United States Air Force Academy in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Falcons were led by thirteenth-year head coach Troy Calhoun and played their home games at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They competed as members of the Mountain West Conference in the Mountain Division. They finished the season 11–2, 7–1 in Mountain West play to finish in second place in the Mountain Division. Following the season they were invited to the Cheez-It Bowl where they defeated Washington State by a score of 31–21. The 2019 Falcons' 11 wins were the most in a single season under head coach Troy Calhoun, their third 10+ win season during his tenure, their eighth in program history, and the most wins achieved in a single season since the 1998 team who finished ranked #13 in the AP Poll and #10 in the Coaches' Poll with a record of 12–1.
The 2019 Colorado State Rams football team represented Colorado State University in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Rams were led by fifth-year head coach Mike Bobo and played their home games at Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins, Colorado as members of the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference. The Rams finished the season 4–8, 3–5 in Mountain West play to finish in fifth place in the Mountain Division.
The 2020 Air Force Falcons football team represented the United States Air Force Academy in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Falcons were led by 14th-year head coach Troy Calhoun and played their home games at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They competed as members of the Mountain West Conference.
The 2021 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Broncos were led by first–year head coach Andy Avalos and played their home games at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. They completed as members of the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference.
The 2022 Air Force Falcons football team represented the United States Air Force Academy in the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The season was the team's 68th overall, 24th as a member of the Mountain West Conference, and 9th in the Mountain West's Mountain Division. The team played their home games at Falcon Stadium and were led by 16th-year head coach Troy Calhoun.
The 2023 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado Boulder as a member of the Pac-12 Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. This was the program's 13th and final year in the Pac-12 before they rejoined the Big 12 Conference in 2024. The Buffaloes were led by first-year head coach Deion Sanders. They played their home games on campus at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado. The Colorado Buffaloes football team drew an average home attendance of 53,180 in 2023, the 36th highest in college football.
The 2023 San Jose State Spartans football team represented San Jose State University in the Mountain West Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Spartans were led by Brent Brennan in his seventh and final year as head coach. They played their home games at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, California. The San Jose State Spartans football team drew an average home attendance of 16,804 in 2023.
The 2023 Sam Houston Bearkats football team represented Sam Houston State University in Conference USA during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bearkats were led by tenth-year head coach K. C. Keeler. They played their home games at Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, Texas. They were ineligible for a bowl game, the conference championship, or the College Football Playoff due to rules governing transitions from FCS to FBS. The Sam Houston Bearkats football team drew an average home attendance of 8,298 in 2023.
The 2023 Wyoming Cowboys football team represented the University of Wyoming as a member of the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cowboys were led by tenth-year head coach Craig Bohl and played their home games at War Memorial Stadium. The Wyoming Cowboys football team drew an average home attendance of 23,163 in 2023.
The 2023 Utah State Aggies football team represented Utah State University as a member of the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Aggies were led by third-year head coach Blake Anderson and played their home games at Maverik Stadium in Logan, Utah. The Aggies drew an average home attendance of 19,282 in 2023.
The 2023 Colorado State Rams football team represented Colorado State University as a member of the Mountain West Conference (MW) during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by second-year head coach Jay Norvell, the Rams played home games at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins, Colorado. The Colorado State Rams football team drew an average home attendance of 26,509 in 2023.
The 2023 Nevada Wolf Pack football team represented the University of Nevada, Reno as a member of the Mountain West Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wolf Pack were led by Ken Wilson in his second year as Nevada's head coach. They played their home games at Mackay Stadium in Reno, Nevada. Wilson was fired a week after the season ended. The Nevada Wolf Pack football team drew an average home attendance of 16,998 in 2023.
The 2023 Liberty Flames football team represented Liberty University in the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Flames played their home games at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia, and competed as a first-year member of Conference USA. They were led by first-year head coach Jamey Chadwell. The Liberty Flames football team drew an average home attendance of 18,911 in 2023.
The 2023 San Diego State Aztecs football team represented San Diego State University as a member of the Mountain West Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by head coach Brady Hoke, who coached his sixth season with the team. The Aztecs played their home games at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.
The 2023 Robert Morris Colonials football team represented the Robert Morris University during the 2023 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by sixth-year head coach Bernard Clark, the Colonials played their home games at the Joe Walton Stadium in Moon Township, Pennsylvania.
The 2023 Idaho State Bengals football team represented Idaho State University in the Big Sky Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by first-year head coach Cody Hawkins, the Bengals played their home games on campus at Holt Arena, an indoor facility in Pocatello, Idaho.
The 2024 Air Force Falcons football team represented the United States Air Force Academy during the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The season was the team's 70th overall and 26th as a member of the Mountain West Conference. The team played their home games at Falcon Stadium and was led by 18th-year head coach Troy Calhoun.
The 2024 Colorado State Rams football team will represent Colorado State University as a member of the Mountain West Conference (MW) during the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They are led by third-year head coach Jay Norvell, the Rams play home games at Canvas Stadium located in Fort Collins, Colorado.
The 2024 Wyoming Cowboys football team represented the University of Wyoming in the Mountain West Conference during the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by new head coach Jay Sawvel, the Cowboys played their home games on campus at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, Wyoming.