Oct 19, 2024; West Point, New York, USA; Army Black Knights quarterback Bryson Daily (13) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the East Carolina Pirates at Michie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

Army star QB Bryson Daily to miss game vs. Air Force

No. 21 Army will be without star quarterback Bryson Daily against Air Force due to an undisclosed illness/injury, ESPN reported Saturday morning.

Team officials told ESPN the issue is not expected to be a season-ending setback.

Junior Dewayne Coleman will make his first career start in place of Daily.

Army’s most recent game, a 45-28 win over East Carolina on Oct. 19, featured a record-setting performance by Daily. He accounted for six touchdowns, including five on the ground for Army (7-0, 6-0 American Athletic Conference).

Daily carried 31 times for 171 yards for his sixth straight 100-yard game while becoming the first player to account for six touchdowns for Army since Elmer Oliphant in 1916.

Daily has had a hand in 26 touchdowns (seven passing, 19 rushing) this year, eclipsing the previous Army mark of 23 shared by Leamon Hall (1977) and Kelvin Hopkins Jr. (2018).

Additionally, Daily also set the school record for rushing TDs, breaking the mark of Carlton Jones (2004), Trent Steelman (2012) and Hopkins (2018).

His 19 rushing touchdowns this season are the most in the country, and his 909 rushing yards is best among all FBS quarterbacks.

Air Force enters the game in West Point, N.Y., with a 1-6 record (0-4 Mountain West).

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2024; West Point, New York, USA; Army Black Knights quarterback Bryson Daily (13) evades a tackle from East Carolina Pirates defensive back Omar Rogers (12) during the second half at Michie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

No. 21 Army rides win streak into clash with struggling Air Force

When it comes to games against fellow military academies in the race for the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy, past achievements are irrelevant to Army coach Jeff Monken.

Unbeaten through seven games for the third time since 1950, No. 21 Army attempts to remain perfect Saturday afternoon when it hosts Air Force in West Point, N.Y.

Army (7-0) is attempting to win its first eight contests since starting the 1996 season with nine straight victories. The Cadets also are on an 11-game winning streak, the longest under Monken and the longest active streak in the FBS.

The three military academics play an annual round-robin competition. The winning team visits the White House for a trophy presentation with the President of the United States.

Air Force has won the trophy 21 times, Navy has 16 wins in the competition and Army has achieved victory 10 times.

“We’ve managed to have some success this year,” Monken said Tuesday at his weekly press conference. “That’s all in the past. This game this week will be the hardest game we play all year and the intensity, the emotion that is part of these games makes it different from everything else.

“So trying to focus through that and have our guys ready and able to do their job. That’s the most important thing, this game, not anything we’ve done before or anything that comes after. This is a one-game season right now.”

The Cadets and Indiana are the only teams yet to fall behind in a game this season. Army has scored at least 40 points in four straight games for the first time since the 1945 team achieved the feat in five consecutive during its 9-0 season.

The latest prolific showing occurred in a 45-28 win over East Carolina on Oct. 19, a game that featured a record-setting performance by Bryson Daily. The Army quarterback accounted for six touchdowns, including five on the ground.

Daily carried 31 times for 171 yards for his sixth straight 100-yard game while becoming the first player to account for six touchdowns for Army since Elmer Oliphant in 1916. Daily has had a hand in 26 touchdowns (seven passing, 19 rushing) this year, eclipsing the previous Army mark of 23 shared by Leamon Hall (1977) and Kelvin Hopkins Jr. (2018).

Additionally, Daily also set the school record for rushing TDs, breaking the mark of Carlton Jones (2004), Trent Steelman (2012) and Hopkins (2018).

Air Force (1-6) appears headed to its first losing season since finishing 5-7 in 2018 and is 0-1 against fellow military academies after taking a 34-7 loss to Navy on Oct. 5. The Falcons have scored more than 21 points once this season and the average margin of defeat during their current six-game losing streak is 16.7 points.

And now the Falcons have to oppose an Army team that averages 40.4 points per game while yielding just 12.4 points — with both figures ranking among the nation’s top 10.

“I think you look in each area, defensively they’ve been really good against the run, given up very few big plays,” Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said at his weekly press conference. “Just how well they’ve been able to keep the ball in front of them and how well they’ve been able to get off the field on third down.

“Offensively they’re balanced. Certainly it starts with the quarterback, but some of the interior runs by two guys that have (done) pretty good. You look at yards per carry, really impressive, and then being able to hit the throws down the field, too.”

Two weeks ago, the Falcons took their closest loss of the skid when they scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a 21-13 home loss to Colorado State.

Josh Johnson made his first career start at quarterback but John Busha ran the offense for most of the game and guided one of Air Force’s more productive showings of this season. Busha completed 10 of 25 passes for a career-high 175 yards, and the Falcons also ran for 173 yards on 54 carries.

–Field Level Media

Nov 18, 2023; Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; UNLV Rebels defensive back Kris Williams (17) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Air Force Falcons at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Reports: Air Force, UNLV staying in Mountain West

UNLV and Air Force have opted to remain in the Mountain West Conference, according to multiple reports late Wednesday.

UNLV rejected overtures from the rebuilding Pac-12 Conference. Air Force turned down heavy interest from the American Athletic Conference.

The decisions by the Runnin’ Rebels and the Falcons to stay put follows the previously announced departures of five Mountain West members to the Pac-12: Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State.

Air Force and UNLV made the choice to stay put after receiving “significant financial incentives,” Yahoo Sports reported. A specific dollar figure was not provided.

The Mountain West has six full members and seven football-playing schools, including Hawaii. It still must meet the minimum requirement of eight member schools set by the NCAA and College Football Playoff.

All of the remaining Mountain West schools — including New Mexico, Nevada, San Jose State and Wyoming — are expected to sign a binding agreement with the league on Thursday, according to ESPN and Yahoo Sports.

With seven members, the Pac-12 is still one short of the minimum requirements. On Monday, Memphis, Tulane, South Florida and UTSA all passed on Pac-12 offers to remain in the AAC.

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2024; Waco, Texas, USA; Air Force Falcons wide receiver Cade Harris (21) runs with the ball while being chased by Baylor Bears linebacker Keaton Thomas (11) during the first half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images

Baylor scores 25 unanswered points to pull away from Air Force

In his first start this season, Sawyer Robertson threw for 248 yards as Baylor overcame an error-prone first half to roll past Air Force 31-3 on Saturday night in Waco, Texas.

Robertson completed 18 of 24 passes and ran for a touchdown as Baylor (2-1) rebounded from a Big 12 loss last week at then-No. 11 Utah, a game in which starting quarterback Dequan Finn suffered a rib injury.

Bryson Washington rushed for 106 yards on 12 carries and scored the first touchdown of his college career for the Bears. Richard Reese added 47 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.

Baylor rolled up 193 yards and didn’t punt in the first half against Air Force (1-2). But the three of the Bears’ drives ended in lost fumbles.

After a sloppy first half, Baylor scored on its first four possessions of the second half to tally 25 unanswered points.

The pass-challenged offense of the Falcons didn’t have a completion until the final minute of the third quarter. Air Force starting quarterback John Busha went 0-for-5 passing before he was relieved by Quentin Hayes.

The Bears limited the Falcons to 218 total yards. In the third quarter, Air Force’s potent rushing attack generated just 12 yards. Linebacker Matt Jones led Baylor with 11 tackles.

Isaiah Hankins kicked field goals of 51 and 46 yards in the first half to give the Bears a 6-3 lead. After that, it was all Baylor.

The Bears opened the second half with a 75-yard drive. Washington capped the drive with a 19-yard touchdown run for a 13-3 lead.

A 6-yard touchdown run by Sawyer capped a 64-yard march and put Baylor up 20-3.

On Air Force’s ensuing possession, Brooks Miller forced Busha to fumble and Devonte Tezino recovered to set up another Hankins field goal that put Baylor up 23-3.

Reese completed the scoring with a 28-yard touchdown run.

–Field Level Media

Oct 21, 2023; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Air Force Falcons head coach Troy Calhoun looks onto the field during the first half against the Navy Midshipmen  at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Air Force coach Troy Calhoun signs extension through 2029

Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun signed a contract extension through the 2029 season ahead of his 18th season with the Falcons.

“Thank you to General Richard Clark, (athletic director) Nathan Pine, and AFAAC for the Academy’s sturdy commitment and support to help our football program build leaders of character for our country,” Calhoun said in a statement on Tuesday. “Amanda and I are incredibly grateful for the tremendous people — coaches, players, administration, faculty, the Foundation, staff, cadet wing, and their families — that we are blessed to be alongside each day. Bolt Brotherhood!”

Calhoun is 130-82 as a head coach with 13 bowl game appearances at Air Force, where his record over the past four full seasons is 40-12.

Air Force has claimed the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy five times under Calhoun, who has eight seasons with nine or more wins.

“Coach Calhoun has had an outstanding career at Air Force over the last 17 years,” Pine said. “He understands and embraces the mission of the Academy and leads our program accordingly. I am proud of the success we have enjoyed together over the last five seasons and look forward to continuing to build on that in the new College Football Playoff model. We are pleased to have Coach Calhoun continue leading our football program for the next six years and beyond.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 1, 2022; Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; U.S. Air Force Academy superintendent Lieutenant General Richard M. Clark in the first quarter between the Air Force Falcons and the Navy Midshipmen at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Air Force’s Richard M. Clark eyed as next CFP leader

Air Force superintendent Richard M. Clark is the leading candidate to be the next College Football Playoff executive director, ESPN reported Friday.

The 59-year-old lieutenant general played linebacker for the Falcons in the 1980s before building a distinguished career in the military.

In September 2020, Clark became the first Black superintendent of the Air Force Academy.

Sources told ESPN that Clark is considered a “leader of leaders” and that he emerged from a pool of three finalists interviewed in person this week to replace the outgoing Bill Hancock.

Hancock is retiring after the 2023 bowl cycle.

The next CFP executive director will oversee the expansion to 12 teams starting in 2024 and will also have to negotiate a new television contract, which expires after the 2025 season.

–Field Level Media

Nov 4, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Army Black Knights quarterback Bryson Daily (13) carries for a 63 yard touchdown in the first quarter against the Air Force Falcons at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Army forces 6 turnovers to clobber No. 25 Air Force

Bryson Daily rushed for 170 yards and two touchdowns to lead visiting Army to a 23-3 upset victory against No. 25 Air Force on Saturday afternoon in Denver.

Air Force (8-1) had won 13 straight games dating to last season and was off to its best start since 1985.

Daily started at quarterback for the first time in three weeks and carried the ball 36 times. He attempted just nine passes, completing four for 40 yards.

Army (3-6) limited the Falcons to 259 total yards, forced six turnovers and stopped them on downs three other times in its first win against an AP-ranked team since 1972.

Air Force quarterback Zac Larrier completed 9 of 22 passes for 93 yards, with two interceptions and two lost fumbles for his first turnovers of the season.

Daily faked a handoff on the opening drive of the game and sprinted untouched through the middle of the defense for a 62-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

Air Force went for it on fourth-and-1 from its own 34 on its first drive and was stopped short, leading to a 45-yard field goal by Quinn Maretzki to extend the lead to 10-0.

Larrier then committed his first turnover when he fumbled while preparing to throw and the ball was recovered by the Black Knights at the Air Force 45.

Army then used 11 plays to work its way down the field, and Daily capped the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 17-0 with 1:53 still left in the opening quarter.

The mistakes continued for the Falcons as they lost another fumble on the second play of the ensuing drive and Army recovered at the Air Force 40.

That led to a 40-yard field goal by Maretzki for a 20-0 lead with 13:14 left in the first half, Army’s first 20-point lead against an AP-ranked opponent since 1958.

The Falcons finally put together a lengthy drive but had to settle for a 30-yard field goal by Matthew Dapore that cut the lead to 20-3 with 2:31 left in the half.

Larrier was intercepted late in the first half for the team’s third turnover and Maretzki followed with his third field goal, a 38-yarder as time expired to extend the lead to 23-3.

Air Force drove to the Army 5 late in the third quarter, but Dapore missed a 32-yard field goal.

–Field Level Media

Oct 28, 2023; Fort Collins, Colorado, USA;  Colorado State Rams defensive lineman Grady Kelly (90) chases Air Force Falcons quarterback Zac Larrier (9) in the second quarter at Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports

No. 19 Air Force beats Colorado State, improves to 8-0

Emmanuel Michel rushed for 130 yards and a clinching touchdown Saturday as No. 19 Air Force improved to 8-0 with a 30-13 Mountain West win over Colorado State in Fort Collins, Colo.

Michel’s 5-yard scoring run with 8:51 left in the game helped the Falcons up their Mountain West record to 5-0 and enabled them to take another step toward the league’s championship game, as well as a possible Group of Five berth in a New Year’s Day bowl game.

Air Force relied on its staples — the running game, good defense and discipline — in snowy, 26-degree weather. The Falcons outrushed the Rams (3-5, 1-3) 259-42 and committed only two penalties for 15 yards.

Air Force quarterback Zac Larrier had a modest statistical game, completing 4 of 7 passes for 32 yards with a touchdown and rushing for 34 yards on 13 attempts. But his 1-yard scoring run with 8:58 left in the third quarter put the Falcons ahead for good at 20-13.

Colorado State quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi hit 28 of 45 passes for 297 yards with a touchdown but couldn’t get his team on the board in the second half. Justus Ross-Simmons caught eight passes for 128 yards and one score.

Air Force opened the scoring by playing classic complementary football. After stopping Fowler-Nicolosi for no gain on a fourth-and-1 run at the Falcons’ 46-yard line, it drove 54 yards and found the end zone on Larrier’s 9-yard pass to Dane Kinamon with 5:03 left in the first quarter.

Fowler-Nicolosi pulled Colorado State even just 22 seconds into the second period, teaming with Ross-Simmons for a 61-yard touchdown pass. The Rams took the lead on their next possession when Jordan Noyes connected on a 40-yard field goal at the 7:15 mark.

Air Force regained a 13-10 edge on a 10-yard scoring run by John Lee Eldridge III, three plays after Fowler-Nicolosi was strip-sacked inside his team’s 20. But Noyes drilled a 49-yard field goal with 45 seconds remaining to forge a 13-13 tie at halftime.

–Field Level Media

Oct 21, 2023; Annapolis, Maryland, USA;  Air Force Falcons quarterback Zac Larrier (9) drops back to the pocket during the second half against the Navy Midshipmen at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

No. 22 Air Force tops Navy with record-setting TD

Zac Larrier threw the longest touchdown pass in program history as No. 22 Air Force beat Navy 17-6 on Saturday afternoon in Annapolis, Md.

Larrier connected with Dane Kinamon for a 94-yard score on the first play of the second quarter to provide the Falcons with all the offense they would need to improve to 7-0 for the first time since 1997.

The Air Force defense took care of the rest, holding the Midshipmen (3-4) to just 124 yards of total offense. Alec Mock punctuated the impressive performance with an 18-yard pick-6 with 3:51 left in the game.

Navy was without senior quarterback Tai Lavatai (ribs) for the first three quarters. Freshman Braxton Woodson started under center, completing 2 of 6 passes for just 6 yards.

Lavatai came on for the fourth quarter but couldn’t complete a comeback, throwing for 96 yards and a pair of interceptions on 13-for-23 passing. He did, however, break the shutout, connecting with Eli Heidenreich for a 10-yard TD with 50 seconds remaining.

Meanwhile, Larrier completed 4 of 5 passes for 151 yards and the TD to Kinamon.

Emmanuel Michel led the Falcons’ rushing attack with 69 yards on 22 carries.

The Midshipmen ended up getting the ball with 6:40 left in the game, but Alex Tecza killed any chance of a comeback. He failed to haul in a routine pass from Lavatai, with the ball bouncing off his hands and into the grasp of Jamari Bellamy, who came down with an interception.

Lavatai later threw the pick-6 that added insult to injury.

Air Force looked poised to open the scoring on the game’s first drive, but Matthew Dapore missed a 42-yard field-goal attempt.

But the Falcons were still able to draw first blood thanks to Larrier’s record-setting touchdown throw, which gave Air Force a 7-0 lead that it ended up taking into the break.

Navy totaled just 20 yards through the first 30 minutes of action.

Dapore made it 10-0 with a 40-yard field goal with 5:55 left in the third quarter.

–Field Level Media

Sep 2, 2023; Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; Air Force Falcons quarterback Zac Larrier (9) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the Robert Morris Colonials at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

No. 22 Air Force loses QB Zac Larrier to knee injury

Undefeated Air Force likely will be without starting quarterback and second-leading rusher Zac Larrier “for a while” because of a knee injury, coach Troy Calhoun told reporters Tuesday.

The No. 22 Falcons (6-0, 4-0 Mountain West) entered the AP Top 25 poll Sunday for the first time since 2019 after beating Wyoming 34-27.

Larrier had 58 passing yards, 111 rushing yards and two total touchdowns in that game, but he left the game in the fourth quarter and was seen wearing a knee brace on the sideline.

Backup Jensen Jones will take over for Air Force, which is preparing to visit rival Navy on Saturday.

Larrier has gone 20-for-28 passing (71.4 percent) on the season for 468 yards, four touchdowns and no picks. He’s also rushed 82 times for 473 yards and four touchdowns.

–Field Level Media