No. 25 Air Force will try to continue its best start since 1985 when the Falcons oppose Army on Saturday afternoon in Colorado Springs.
Air Force (8-0) has won its first eight games for the first time since 1985, when it began the season 10-0.
Falcons fullback Emmanuel Michel said the perfect record doesn’t mean anything if Air Force can’t beat Army for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy on Saturday.
“We’ve got to get the CIC and then try to get the (Mountain West) Conference championship as well,” Michel said. “If we can do those things, then it starts to mean something. Right now, 8-0 doesn’t mean anything until you’re holding a trophy.”
Air Force has also won 13 straight games overall, matching the program’s longest winning streak that bridged the 1984-85 seasons.
The Falcons have outscored their past five opponents 175-76 but faced some unexpected adversity in their most recent game last week, when Colorado State fans began pelting the Air Force sideline with snowballs during a driving snowstorm early in the second half.
Colorado State was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct while the score was tied. Air Force scored the go-ahead touchdown on the drive before pulling away for a 30-13 victory.
The Falcons compiled 261 rushing yards in the win, including 130 yards on 20 carries by Michel, who tacked on a 5-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
“We just keep fighting and keep pushing and just know that we’ve got to finish and eventually we’ll wear people out,” Michel said. “Nobody wants to take that punishment down the middle over and over again.”
Air Force limited the Rams to 42 rushing yards and posted three fourth-down stops.
“I’m just proud of this team in every single facet that we have,” said Air Force safety Trey Taylor, who finished with 10 tackles and a pass breakup.
Army (2-6) has lost five in a row, most recently falling 21-14 to Massachusetts last week.
The Black Knights came into the game 5-0 all time against the Minuteman.
UMass coach Don Brown said the Minuteman took advantage of their bye week “to adjust our game plan style to the new Army.”
“If you don’t, they’ll present problems,” Brown said. “I have a lot of respect for that football team.”
Army’s Champ Harris started at quarterback for the second straight game. The freshman attempted only eight passes but completed six for 130 yards while also scoring his first collegiate touchdown on a 36-yard scramble in the fourth quarter that pulled Army within 21-14.
Bryson Daily also took some snaps after missing the 62-0 loss to LSU the week before with an injury, but he was just 3-for-13 for 28 yards and two interceptions.
Army freshman running back Kanye Udoh ran the ball well, posting a team-high 76 rushing yards on 15 attempts.
Defensive back Jabari Moore is set to play in his 55th career game for the Black Knights, breaking a tie with Greg McGlasker (1973-1977) for most in team history.
–Field Level Media