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The two schools are separated by just about 130 miles, and in between lies the metropolitan area of Denver, Colo. Colorado State lies to the North in Fort Collins, and Air Force to its south in Colorado Springs. One thing’s for sure, there is no love lost between these Front Range rivals.
Although Air Force’s roster doesn’t have as many players from the area as CSU’s, the two schools have battled over the years, having met 44 times, with the Falcons leading the series 24-19-1. And in 1980, the Ram-Falcon trophy was introduced to the series, and since being brought into the rivalry, the teams are have split the 26 contests. The Rams took last year’s game 41-23, and in doing so, will hold the wood-carved trophy on their sideline. In that win, CSU amassed 555 yards of offense.
This season, each is looking to vault to the top of the Mountain West Conference. Colorado State is off to a good start, as they are 4-1 and 1-0 in the MWC heading into Thursday night’s matchup. Meanwhile, Air Force is 2-2, but its two wins have come in conference play, which puts them in a tie for first place.
The Falcons are coming off a tough loss at home to Navy, losing 24-17. Both losses for Air Force have been equally as tough, considering the rivalry with Navy, but the first one at Tennessee opening their season was probably a real tough pill to swallow. Down 31-30 in Knoxville, the Falcons decided to go for two to win the game, the two-point conversion failed and the Vols prevailed.
Air Force is a tough team to stop, as Tennessee most certainly found out. The option attack accounts for 77 percent of their offense, as they gain on average, 266 yards on the ground. The Falcons will also throw a lot of different guys at you on the ground, as ten different players have rushed for a gain this season. Chad Hall leads the way with 79 yards per game and four touchdowns. Quarterback Shaun Carney has also reached the end zone four times, while throwing for two more.
One thing can almost be certain, even with a lopsided game last season, the series has had some close battles since CSU coach Sonny Lubick took over in Fort Collins. In his 13 previous games against Air Force, the Rams have outscored Air Force by an average score of 27.6-24.8.
The Rams will only have two days to get ready for the Air Force running game, being that it is a short week, and it’s something that is different than anything they will see all season long.
Offensively, CSU has one of the best quarterbacks in the country, when it comes to completion percentage. Junior QB Caleb Hanie has completed 71.9 percent of his passes this season, whish is second in the nation, and last week against UNLV, Hanie went 23-for-28 with 257 yards and a TD.
Wide receiver Damon Morton has been his favorite target, bringing in 22 receptions for 334 yards and is tied for the team lead with two TD receptions. Miami Springs, Fla. Native Gartrell Johnson III leads the rushing attack with five touchdowns, but has only gained 176 yards on 73 carries (just over two yards per carry). CSU only averages 82 yards per game on the ground.
It will be a battle of two different offenses on Thursday night in Colorado Springs. Air Force and its unique running attack has given teams a tough time all season long, while Colorado State likes to air it out. It could easily be a high scoring affair in a backyard brawl.
Douglas Kroll can be reached at dckroll@hotmail.com
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