ppageage 1 ---- ggoairforcefalcons.comoairforcefalcons.com ---- pagepage 1 A llookook bbackack aatt 22015015 Air Force played in a bowl game for the eighth time in the last nine years and the 25th time in school his- tory. Th e Falcons faced PAC-12 member California in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas on Dec. 29. Senior quarterback Karson Roberts was named Air Force’s MVP as he rushed for 69 yards and a touchdown and passed for 149 yards and two more scores. With a 6-2 conference record, the Falcons won the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Confer- ence for the fi rst time ever. Air Force travelled to San Diego, Calif., to face the Pacifi c Division cham- pion Aztecs on Dec. 5. In a game that see-sawed back and forth, the Aztecs kicked a late fi eld goal for a 27-24 win. Jacobi Owens rushed for a game- high 156 yards while fellow running back Tim McVey had 48 yards and three touchdowns. Th e Air Force football team earned NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) recognition for the seventh straight season. Th e football program (980) was hon- ored for being in the top 10 percent of their sports for all NCAA programs in Division I for APR. Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun also earned a 985 coaches APR mark which marks his eighth consecutive year above the national average for Divi- sion I programs. Calhoun has averaged a 982 during his career while the national average during his tenure is 946. Over the past two seasons, Air Force has been unde- feated at home. Th e 12-game home winning streak is the longest in school history. Th e Falcons were 6-0 at Falcon Stadium last season, including a win over Army and conference victories over San Jose State, Wyoming, Fresno State and Utah State. Th e Falcons were 8-6 overall in 2015. Th e eight wins mark the sixth time in nine seasons under Troy Calhoun the Falcons have won eight or more games. ppageage 2 ---- ggoairforcefalcons.comoairforcefalcons.com ---- pagepage 2 22016016 aairir fforceorce footballfootball scheduleschedule Day Date Opponent (TV) Time Sat. Sept. 3 Abilene Christian Noon (MWN-CI) Sat. Sept. 10 Georgia State Noon (MWN-CI) Sat. Sept. 24 at Utah State* TBA (ESPN Networks) Sat. Oct. 1 Navy 1:30 pm (CBS SN) Sat. Oct. 8 at Wyoming* TBA Sat. Oct. 15 New Mexico*# TBA (ESPN Networks) Sat. Oct. 22 Hawai’i* Noon (Oceanic) Fri. Oct. 28 at Fresno State* 7:30 pm (ESPN 2) Sat. Nov. 5 at Army TBA Sat. Nov. 12 Colorado State* TBA (ESPN Networks) Sat. Nov. 19 at San Jose State* TBA (CBS SN) Fri. Nov. 25 Boise State* 1:30 pm (CBS SN) Sat. Dec. 3 MW Championship game TBA *-Mountain West game Times local to site #-Cotton Bowl, Dallas, TX ppageage 1 ---- ggoairforcefalcons.comoairforcefalcons.com ---- pagepage 1 ffromrom hheadead ccoachoach ttroyroy ccalhounalhoun Troy Calhoun (Air Force, 1989) To the great fans of the Air Force Fal- Head Coach cons, [email protected] Jake Campbell (Air Force, 1996) Welcome to the United States Air Offensive Assistant Force Academy - one of the world’s [email protected] finest educational and leadership insti- tutions. The purpose of the Academy Tim Cross (Northern Colorado, 1990) is to develop young men and women of Defensive Line strong character to serve as outstanding [email protected] leaders for our nation. The integrity, Clay Hendrix (Furman, 1986) pride, and purpose of our future offi- Assoc. Head Coach cers will make you quite proud. Offensive line [email protected] Beginning with the entry of the first Academy class back in July of 1955, Steed Lobotzke (Air Force, 1992) intercollegiate athletics continues to Tight Ends [email protected] provide a crucial vehicle contributing to the profound leadership and valiancy Matt McGettigan (Luther College, 1987) Academy graduates carry forth to ac- Strength and Conditioning tive duty and in their civilian lives. Air [email protected] Force football has a three-pronged aim: on-field competitive spirit, instilling Ben Miller (Air Force, 2002) within our cadets lifelong resolute char- Running Backs/Special Teams Coord. [email protected] acter traits, and preparing each team member for service and leadership to Jake Moreland (Western Michigan, 2000) help our country. Wide Receivers [email protected] Your support, through purchases of season tickets, is crucial to the future sustainability of our cadet programs. Our commit- John Rudzinski (Air Force, 2005) ment to our friends, cadets and supporters is to provide the nation’s best fan experience. Secondary [email protected] It includes ease of parking, unmatched pageantry and the finest ticket value in all of col- lege football. Steve Russ (Air Force, 1995) Asst. Head Coach In conclusion, if you find the qualities of honesty, passion, toughness and service ap- Def. Coordinator/Defensive Backs pealing, then you will be proud to embrace and support the 2016 Air Force Football [email protected] team. Mike Thiessen (Air Force, 2001) Off. Coordinator/QBs Thank you in advance for your unwavering commitment to the Air Force Academy and [email protected] our exciting Falcons. Ron Vanderlinden (Albion, 1978) Sincerely, Inside Linebackers [email protected] Matt Weikert (Ohio, 2002) Outside Linebackers [email protected] Coach Troy Calhoun Air Force Football Steve Senn (Air Force, 1990) Director of Recruiting/Player Develop. [email protected] ppageage 2 ---- ggoairforcefalcons.comoairforcefalcons.com ---- pagepage 2 ttableable ooff ccontents/quickontents/quick ffactsacts Looking Back at 2015 .........................IFC The Coaches Mountain West Schedule ............................................ 1 Troy Calhoun, Head Coach ............... 40-42 The Mountain West ...........................122 Note from Coach Calhoun .................2 Jake Campbell ....................................43 Commissioner Craig Thompson .........123 Table of Contents .............................. 3 Tim Cross ...........................................44 Composite Schedule ..........................124-125 Game Day at Falcon Stadium ............ 4-5 Clay Hendrix ...................................... 45 2015 Mountain West Stats ................126-130 Distinctive Traditions .........................6-7 Steed Lobotzke ..................................46 Falcon Spirit .......................................8-9 Matt McGettigan ............................... 47 History Commander-in-Chief’s Rivalry ...........10-11 Ben Miller ..........................................48 Consensus All-Americans .................. 132 Brian Bullard Award .......................... 12-13 Jake Moreland ...................................49 All-Americans .................................... 133 Falcons in the NFL ............................. 14-15 John Rudzinski ...................................50 Academic All-Americans ....................133 Academic Success ..............................16-17 Steve Russ ......................................... 51 All-American Bios .............................. 134-137 Influential Falcons ............................ 18-19 Steve Senn .........................................52 College Football Hall of Fame ............138 Denver ............................................... 20 Mike Thiessen.................................... 53 AFA Team Awards ............................. 139 Colorado Springs ............................... 21 Ron Vanderlinden ..............................54 AFA Major Award Winners ................140 Weight Room .................................... 22-23 Capt. Ross Weaver ............................ 55 All-Star Games/Team Captains ..........141 Human Performance Lab ...................24 Matt Weikert .....................................56 Academic All-Conference .................. 142 Sports Medicine ................................ 25 Support Staff ..................................... 57 All-Conference Players ...................... 143 Falcon Stadium .................................26-27 All-Time Coaches ...............................58-60 Team Records ....................................144-146 Falcon Athletic Center .......................28 Individual Records .............................147-153 Holaday Athletic Center .................... 29 The Players Lettermen .......................................... 154-159 The Academy in Pictures ................... 30 Rosters............................................... 62-65 Past Season Results ...........................160-165 The Academy Depth Chart/Pronunciations ............. 66 Bowl Recaps ...................................... 166-171 The Air Force Academy ..................... 32 Meet the Falcons ...............................67-100 Bowl Records .....................................172 Senior Leadership ..............................33 Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton ....34 Last Season Media Athletic Department.......................... 35 2015 Season Stats ............................. 102-114 Media Info./Communications Staff ...174 The Falcon ......................................... 36 2015 Game Recaps ............................115-119 Local Media Outlets/Radio ................175 The Air Force Song............................. 37 2015 Season Recap............................ 120 Results vs. 2016 Opponents .............. 176-177 Falcon Football Pageantry .................38 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Air Force History Editors: Troy Garnhart Enrollment: 4,000 First Year: ................. 1956 Dave Toller Founded: 1954 All-Time