Know Wyoming’s Foe: AFA Falcons

LARAMIE -- Air Force, unlike almost any other college football program in the nation, can go from youthful and inexperienced to veteran-laden seemingly overnight.

Case in point: Many of the same names that still litter this Falcon defense were holding down the fort at this time last fall. Blake Fletcher even has the same number of tackles, a team-leading 63, heading into this annual meeting with Front-Range foe Wyoming.

There's a major difference this time around, though.

Fletcher and Co. currently allow just 19.7 points per game. In 2025, that number was 40, the worst mark in the FBS. The Falcons were also giving up nearly 500 yards an outing, 323 of which came via the passing game.

Troy Calhoun can't utilize the NCAA Transfer Portal. There are no quick fixes in Colorado Springs. The team just gets a year older -- and better.

His secondary is now ranked No. 24 in the country, surrendering only 172.3 yards a game through the air. The Falcons, uncharacteristically, were also allowing an average of 174 rushing yards. That number now sits at 123.4, good enough for 43rd in the country out of 138 programs.

A year older, wiser, bigger and faster.

And it all starts with the senior linebacker.

"Blake Fletcher is a very good linebacker that does not get himself out of position and makes a number of plays," Jay Sawvel said Monday during his weekly press conference.

Wyoming's third-year head coach also praised an experienced backend that "cracked" visiting UNLV last Saturday in a 41-31 victory inside Falcon Stadium.

What does that mean?

The Rebels' offense committed three cardinal sins: A turnover on downs, an interception and a fumble.

When you waste precious possessions and hand the ball to that offense and its vaunted triple-option attack, you're in trouble.

"For us, the first-and-foremost thing is always going to be ball security. It's always going to start with that," Sawvel added.

Wyoming did the exact opposite last October, beginning with throwing a costly interception at the goal line on a trick play. Instead of going up seven on the scoreboard with a little over nine minutes remaining in regulation, the Falcons turned that giveaway into an 8-play, 80-yard game-tying touchdown drive.

Kaden Anderson threw a pick on the ensuing possession and Air Force booted through what would eventually be the game-winning field goal four snaps later.

"As a whole football team, we've got to be productive when we have the football," Sawvel continued. "Defensively, we've got to figure out ways to get the football back. It all ties together in a number of ways."

Easier said than done.

Air Force's offense, despite the insertion of backup quarterback Evan Medders, has yet to fumble the ball one time on 380 rushing attempts. The Falcons are a plus-3 in turnover margin. That's only because injured starter Liam Szarka tossed four interceptions before being sidelined for the season.

Medders has only 10 passing attempts all season, including just three in his two starts.

The big-blue machine continues to hum. Over the last two outings, the Falcons, who feature the No. 2 rushing attack in the country, have rushed for 869 yards on 129 carries. That is an average of 6.7 yards per rush. To add to those gaudy stats, they have also found the end zone nine times in wins over Northern Illinois and UNLV.

Last October, Aaron Bohl was concerned with the Air Force passing game. Szarka and Co. were averaging 214.3 yards per game coming into Wyoming week. That isn't the case this time around.

"Honestly, I think Medders can throw the ball really well," the third-year defensive coordinator said. "I think that (lack of throwing) has more to do with the nature of these games they've been in with teams having to be able to stop throws. They don't have to pass. I think you're seeing a guy that's not as big, but he's a very explosive athlete.

"Medders is the most dangerous guy on the field, and he gets the ball every snap. That's obviously nerve-wracking."

Kickoff between the Cowboys (4-3, 3-1) and Falcons (5-1, 3-1) is set for Friday night at 7 p.m. inside War Memorial Stadium. The game will be televised on The CW.

Meet the Falcons:

* Head coach: Troy Calhoun (20th year) 144-98 overall, 86-64 in MW play

* Offensive coordinator: Mike Thiessen (18th year), Defensive coordinator: Steve Russ (7th year)

* Record in 2026: 5-1 overall, 3-1 in Mountain West

* Offense in 2026: Average 30.8 ppg, 408 ypg (343 rush, 65 pass)

* Defense in 2026: Allow 19.7 ppg, 295.7 ypg (123.4 rush, 172.3 pass)

* Key Returners/ Newcomers - Offense: Evan Medders (QB - 5-10, 65 yds, TD; 52 rush, 375 yds, 6 TD), Owen Allen (RB - 75 rush, 334 yds, 3 TD), Rocco Conti (RB - 51 rush, 318 yds, 2 TD; 2 catch, 21 yds), Kemper Hodges (WC - 36 rush, 201 yds, 2 TD), Gage LaDue (FB - 32 rush, 170 yds), Matt Long (WR - 16 rush, 134 yds; 5 catch, 180 yds, 2 TD), Simon Kibbee (TE - 7 catch, 121 yds), Adam Hrynciw (WR - 4 catch, 83 yds, TD)

* Key Returners - Defense: Blake Fletcher (LB - 63 tackles, sack PBU, 2 INT, TD, FF), Dallas Daley (LB - 39 tackles, sack), Korey Johnson (DB - 24 tackles, 3 PBU, INT), Jaylin Reese (LB - 21 tackles, 2 sack), Max Mustell (DB - 20 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 PBU, INT), Roger Jones Jr. (DB - 19 tackles, 2 PBU), Alexander Perez (DB - 18 tackles, PBU, FF, FR), Cade Paterson (DB - 14 tackles), Isaac Hubert (LB - 12 tackles)

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