Air Force Players Embracing Role of 'Villain' in Laramie

LARAMIE -- This annual Front-Range clash simply "stirs up interest" if you ask Troy Calhoun.

Jay Sawvel, on the other hand, doesn't sugarcoat it: Air Force is considered a rivalry in his program.

While the visiting Falcons traditionally focus on ousting fellow service academies Army and Navy with the hopes of hoisting the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, it sure sounds like some animosity has crept into that locker room.

"It's cool to be the villain and go in there and be hated," running back Owen Allen told the local media on Tuesday. "So I think we're all looking forward to it. It's going to be a great night."

How great?

"(There will be) plenty of time to celebrate the weekend after the victory," Allen continued, when asked about his thoughts on playing on a Friday night.

Allen did give the locals plenty of praise, partially crediting the fans for this current losing streak on the high plains.

Would Allen be saying these same things if the Falcons were facing Hawaii? San Jose State? Nevada?

Roger Jones Jr. made the play of the game last October in Colorado Springs. With the Cowboys facing a 3rd-and-goal from the 3-yard line, Evan Svoboda snatched the shotgun snap out of the wildcat spot and immediately took a step toward the line of scrimmage.

The goal was to heave a lob pass over the front and into the hands of fellow tight end John Michael Gyllenborg. That potential touchdown would've given the visitors a seven-point lead with 9:30 remaining in regulation.

The throw never made it to its destination.

Jones, a 5-foot-10 junior safety, instead skied and high-pointed that pass, coming down with his second interception of the season.

Kade Frew would find the end zone eight plays later, tying this one up at 21-21. Just three snaps later, Wyoming quarterback Kaden Anderson, who ironically played alongside Allen at powerhouse Southlake Carroll High School in Texas, threw his lone pick of the day to Max Mustell.

The Falcons would seal the 24-21 victory with a 40-yard field goal off the right foot of Reagan Tubbs.

What are Jones's thoughts about playing his first game inside War Memorial Stadium, a venue the Falcons haven't won at since 2012?

"At the end of the day, it's just a 100-yard field there," he told the local press. "I don't know what they have in that air over there that we have not won there, but that's going to change this week. That's all I can say about that. I'm excited for it."

Calhoun said his defense will have to keep a close eye on Cowboy signal caller Tyler Hughes on Friday night. That would be wise. He is fresh off gashing Northern Illinois to the tune of 183 yards on just 12 attempts. He also scored four rushing touchdowns in a 41-23 rout.

Air Force's veteran head coach also raved about his team's ability to hang onto the football. Drills, he said, lots and lots of drills -- coupled with some personal pride -- has led to zero fumbles on 380 carries through six games.

Why though has his team been so unsuccessful at 7,220 feet?

"There have been some good players up there, for sure," Calhoun said with a smile. "You know, I'm going through in my head a little bit. Oh my goodness. They had the edge guy (Carl Granderson) that's played in the NFL for a while. Had a couple of good linebackers. I mean, Logan Wilson, pretty darn good NFL player that starred in the Super Bowl. The safety (Andrew) Wingard, is a really good player. They had a quarterback (Josh Allen) that went -- they had a couple of quarterbacks that weren't too bad -- the seventh pick in the draft, and has had quite an NFL career with the Buffalo Bills.

"And they've had, like you said, also, just really good teams -- and they have a good team this year, too. Heck of a task. Good, challenging task."

The Cowboys (4-3, 3-1) and Falcons (5-1, 3-1) are slated to kickoff at 7 p.m. Mountain Time. The game will be televised on The CW.

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