Buffs Set For Visit From Falcons
September 14, 2019 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Colorado coach Mel Tucker made it strikingly clear this week when asked if he thought Saturday's 11 a.m. matchup with Air Force at Folsom Field (Pac-12 Network) had the makings of a "trap game."
"You have to be totally clueless to get caught off guard by a team like Air Force," Tucker said. "I think everybody in America and the world who knows anything about football knows that when you play Air Force, you better strap it up. They know what the heck they're doing. They've got talented guys that are tough, that are physical, that are disciplined. They attack people and they get after it and their belief factor is at the highest level. So if we don't realize that, shame on us."
Tucker spent the week making sure that message was delivered to his team. The 2-0 Buffs have been working on defending Air Force's option scheme since the beginning of fall camp — an offense that can pose problems in a variety of ways — and they have also prepared for a defense that loves to attack from numerous angles.
One factor adding to the difficulty of preparing for the Falcons has been that they have played just once this year — a 48-7 thumping of Colgate two weeks ago. The AFA starters played barely a half in that game, leaving CU little meaningful game film from this year.
Meanwhile, AFA has had the luxury of two weeks to prepare for Colorado, along with game film from two games in which the Buffs had to show all their cards in order to win.
It is, quite simply, a game that has CU coaches concerned. Tucker put his team through a physical week of practice, doing his best to prepare his offense — especially the offensive line — for the trap and cut blocks they will see Saturday.
The Falcons have weapons on both sides of the ball.
Senior quarterback Donald Hammond is a capable thrower and executes the option with precision. Fullback Taven Birdow is a big (6-foot-1, 220 pounds), physical back who can hammer up the middle, and Air Force has tailbacks with the ability to break big plays.
But most importantly, the Falcons have a veteran offensive line well-versed in the intricacies of their offense. The Falcons aren't big up front, but they execute their game plan with precision and can take a toll on defensive lines.
Defensively, AFA has an outstanding end in 6-5, 280-pound Jordan Jackson, who some Falcons observers say might be among the best D-lineman AFA has seen in years. A second-team All-Mountain West performer last year as a sophomore, Jordan can disrupt offenses rushing the passer and stopping the run — he had 12.5 tackles for loss last season, including 4.5 sacks.
"They've got some really good defensive ends that can rush the passer," Tucker said. "Their secondary has experience and talent. They have really good size and length and they do attack and they do pressure."
The Buffs would like to put up similar offensive numbers to those they have produced the last couple of weeks. CU is averaging 43.0 points per game while striking a nice balance, averaging 303.5 yards per game in the air and 166 on the ground. Quarterback Steven Montez has completed 41 of his 61 attempts for 607 yards, four touchdowns and one interception, and already four different Buffs have at least six receptions.
On the ground, Colorado has developed a nice one-two punch with sophomore Alex Fontenot and freshman Jaren Mangham. Fontenot has rushed for 167 yards and three scores; Mangham has run for 84 yards and three scores.
Defensively, CU would like to continue its takeaway trend. The Buffs have forced seven turnovers — tied for second-best in the nation and nearly half of last year's total of 15 — with four fumble recoveries and three interceptions. But one thing the defense does want to change is a tendency to give up big plays. Opponents have already scored five touchdowns of 39 yards or longer, and the Buffs have given up 31 points in each of their two games.
One more thing Colorado would like to change is a tendency for a relatively slow start. Colorado trailed Nebraska 17-0 at the half last week before rallying for a 34-31 win in overtime; and twice trailed CSU in the first half before finally taking the lead for good just before halftime.
No doubt, AFA's option offense is a concern, as is an attacking defense. But in the end, Tucker said, it will still come down to the same factors that decide every football game.
 "They have a good football team, there's no doubt about that, on offense, defense, and special teams," Tucker said. "Everyone's got players. We've got players, Air Force has players, so it's going to really come down to execution and running and hitting. Being disciplined, playing clean football, taking care of the football, trying to take the ball away, time of possession. It's going to be a gut check."
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Colorado tackles William Sherman and Arlington Hambright against AFA defensive end Jordan Jackson. CU's tackles have had a good start to the season; Jordan might be their biggest test yet. He's a disrupter in the pass game and plays the run well. If the Buffs can keep Jackson from having a big day, it will be a big step in helping CU's offense put together some sustained drives.Â
KEEP AN EYE ON: AFA's offensive line. The Falcons aren't big up front, but they are an efficient, effective and veteran bunch. Colorado front seven will have to be on its toes all day and play disciplined, assignment football to prevent the Falcons from hammering out some long, punishing drives.
THE SERIES: It is the renewal of a series that was a regular affair in the 1960s and early 1970s. Colorado owns a 12-4 all-time advantage, including a 7-3 mark in Boulder. The Buffs took a 38-17 win the last time the two met in Boulder (1973), then claimed a narrow 28-27 win at the Academy in 1974, the last time they met.
NUTS AND BOLTS:
Kickoff: 11:01 a.m., Folsom Field (50,183).
Broadcast: Pac-12 Network will carry the game with Guy Haberman and former Buffs star Chad Brown in the booth and Camryn Irwin on the sidelines. KOA 850 will carry the radio broadcast with Mark Johnson and Gary Barnett in the booth and Andy Lindahl on the sidelines.
In-game live blog, stats: A live in-game blog as well as continually updated statistics will be available on www.CUBuffs.com
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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