The Air Force Falcons host Colgate on Saturday at Falcon Stadium. Here are your three keys to an Air Force victory over Colgate.
Key 1 – Don’t Sleep On The Gate
Colgate opened with a 34-14 loss to Villanova. You might think this one game coupled with the fact that the Raiders are an FCS means that it’ll be easy pickings for Air Force on Saturday. Keep in mind, though, that Colgate won 10 games last season and had one of the best defense in Division I football, FCS or FBS. Colgate led the nation in scoring defense at 9.3, total defense at 237.7 and pass efficiency defense with an 88.77 rating. Maybe the Raiders just took Villanova lightly. Air Force shouldn’t make the same mistake with this Colgate squad.
Key 2 – Big Plays On Offense
If Air Force can pull off some big plays either rushing or on long passing plays, this can help de-spirit the Colgate players. If the Falcons can start churning out chunks of yardage with Kadin Remsberg and fullback Taven Birdow then that could open long passing plays as the Raider over-emphasis run defense.
Key 3 – Jordan Jackson Dominates
Jordan Jackson is a 6-foot-5, 270-pound defensive end for Air Force that was selected to the 2019 Preseason All-Mountain West team. Last season this monster of a player had an impressive 12.5 TFLs and 4.5 sacks for the Falcons. The Falcons need for him and other players to make big plays on defense to shut down the Raiders, in much the same way as the Raiders shut down their opponents in 2018.
Troy Calhoun is 12-0 in season openers
| Year | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Colgate | ?? |
| 2018 | Stony Brook | W 38-0 |
| 2017 | VMI | W 62-0 |
| 2016 | Abilene Christian | W 37-21 |
| 2015 | Morgan State | W 63-7 |
| 2014 | Nicholls State | W 44-16 |
| 2013 | Colgate | W 38-13 |
| 2012 | Idaho State | W 49-21 |
| 2011 | South Dakota | W 37-20 |
| 2010 | Northwestern State | W 65-21 |
| 2009 | Nicholls State | W 72-0 |
| 2008 | Southern Utah | W 41-7 |
| 2007 | South Carolina State | W 34-3 |
Saturday’s game kicks off at 1:30 p.m. MT. Watch online at ESPN3.com.
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