Air Force Football

(4-2) (3-3)

Sam Boyd Stadium 7PM PT TV: Radio: 740 KVOR or 1100 ESPN Radio

UNLV is still looking for its first conference win of the year, and this week's game is no pushover. The Rebels will need to find a way to try to slow down a Falcons rushing attack that is averaging 292.5 yards per game, but when on the road the Falcons' average increases to 347 rushing the ball.

Both teams are fairly even in total yards per game and total points per game, so, if you follow the stats, this should be a close game. UNLV is more desperate for a win in an attempt to become bowl-eligible for the first time in a while.

Everyone knows the main way to beat Air Force is to keep the ball away from their offense that eats up the clock. UNLV’s defense will need to step up and play in its lanes and disciplined, and if the Rebels overpursue, that is when Air Force beats you.

Omar Clayton will need to make plays at quarterback both running and passing the ball; also, coach Mike Sanford must stick with the running game to keep the offense balanced. UNLV has quit on the run way too early in previous games, which has hurt the Rebels' chances at winning.

UNLV has more atheltes than Air Force offensively and must use these players to make plays to be able to beat the Falcons. This game should go down to the wire Saturday night in the desert.

Final Score: Air Force 31, UNLV 28

Getting a punt blocked and returned for a touchdown makes it hard to win a football game.  Getting two punts blocked and returned for touchdowns in the same contest makes it almost impossible, and Air Force learned that the hard way in this week’s “Diamond in the Rough”.

 

1.  DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH: NAVY 33, AIR FORCE 27

 

Despite playing without their starting quarterback, the Navy Midshipmen improved to 4-2 and took a big step toward retaining the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy with a hard-fought 33-27 win at Air Force on Saturday afternoon.

As a journalist, I’m not going to complain about only having to type “Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada” once; but Navy fans had to be understandably concerned about competing without their senior playcaller due to a hamstring injury.

Enter backup Jarod Bryant.  Executing the triple-option almost flawlessly, Bryant led the Middies with 101 rushing yards on 24 carries from his quarterback position.  In case you haven’t seen a lot of service academy football lately, the teams actually boast virtually identical run-heavy offensive schemes, and combined for a whopping 112 rushing attempts on the afternoon.

I’m hoping tickets to the game were cheap, because the dependence on the ground game sure speeds things along and shortens the action.  A fan that left to get a pretzel at the concession stand might miss a whole quarter before he got back to his seat!  Bryant completed exactly one more pass than I did in the contest, if that tells you anything about the disparity between run and pass plays.

Yes, you read that correctly.  The winning quarterback threw two passes in the game and connected on half of them.

As mentioned earlier, one of the huge stories in this game was special teams.  Navy’s Blake Carter did most of the damage: Carter ran the first blocked punt back for a touchdown and blocked the other one himself (Bobby Doyle scored on the second Middie return).

On the Air Force side of things, defensive end Jake Paulson played an outstanding game in a losing effort.   Paulson was making tackles everywhere on the field, and he also recovered a fumble for the second straight game.  Despite their star lineman’s performance, however, the Cadets came up an onside kick short and fell to 3-2 on the season.

I want to throw in an editorial note here: watching a game like this was especially enjoyable because these teams and players are about so much more than football.  As Falcon coach Troy Calhoun said, the young men have a mutual respect for each other because of the curriculum, leadership, and military responsibility their academies are known for. 

Calhoun knows what the academy football player’s life is like better than most: in addition to his current role as head coach, he is actually a 1989 Air Force graduate and former Falcon quarterback.  While his team may have come up on the short end of the scoreboard this weekend, every player on the field (the future officers of our country’s military) competed hard and should be commended...for much more than football.  

Here’s my random thoughts on this week’s “Diamond in the Rough”:

 

- After the departure of previous coach Paul Johnson to Georgia Tech, Ken Niumatalolo is on track to take the Middies bowling in his first year at the helm (pun intended).  A postseason appearance would be Navy’s sixth bowl trip in the past seven seasons.

- The Midshipmen have led the country in rushing for the past three seasons, and with Shun White and Eric Kettani in the backfield, they could make it four in a row.  Kettani had 75 yards on the ground from his fullback spot.

- I learned a little bit about the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy this weekend.  Navy, Army, and Air Force all play each other during the season, and the school that beats the other two gets the traveling trophy.  If the teams split all the games (all 3 schools finish 1-1), whichever school currently has the trophy retains it. 

While it may not be a national championship, this competition does have a similar perk: the trophy winner gets a trip to the White House.  Navy has owned the hardware for the past five seasons, and can ensure its stay in Annapolis with a win over the Cadets later this year.

- One of the funny things about triple-option football is that it’s easy to get faked out and not know where the ball is.  Just ask the Versus cameraman.

- Game management is important when you don’t throw the ball much.  For example, a holding penalty becomes a critical error, while converting 3rd-and-long is extremely unlikely.  One interesting thing I noticed: the longer the third down, the deeper the running back caught the pitch.  I guess forward momentum and running downhill is essential—at least, I hope that’s why they toss the ball seven yards backward on 3rd-and-4.

- With the thin air in Colorado Springs (approx. 6500 ft. elevation), there weren’t a lot of kick returns.  Touchback.  Touchback.  Touchback.

- Today’s great playcalling example... (I pick on coaches later in the column, so I should make sure and compliment them on good decisions, right?)  Navy gets the ball on its own 1-yard line and immediately uses a hard count from the quarterback to get five free yards on an offsides penalty. 

The hard count is genius in this situation, because it’s no risk, all reward.  If your lineman accidentally jumps first, what’s the worst that can happen?  The ball moves back a few inches.  Let me see...a chance to move 18 inches back or five yards ahead?  Good decision by the Navy coaching staff...and impeccable execution by the quarterback.

- Not many college football games start out with a flyover from a B-2 bomber.  Pretty cool.

Think I should cover your team in “Diamond in the Rough”?  Is your favorite school’s big game flying beneath the media radar?  I can be convinced...e-mail footballcolumn@yahoo.com if you want to see an in-depth profile of your team’s game in a future edition of Carrying On About College Football.

2.  MAYBE BROADCASTING IS EASIER THAN I THOUGHT

Here are this week’s wacky and weird announcer quotes:

Referring to Texas Tech’s strength of schedule:

“They’ve also beaten Southern Meth.

(awkward pause)

...odist.”  – Ray Bentley

I don’t think the good folks at SMU will appreciate that particular abbreviation of their school’s name.  Can you picture the biology student on his way to class?  “I’m just going to my Southern Meth lab, Mom...talk to you later!”

 

“And it’s a shovel pass to DeMyron Martin, who sees his first carry of the game.” – Tom Hart

Is it a pass?  or a carry?  Make up your mind already.

Talking about how big it would be for Auburn to get a win on the road at Vanderbilt:

“That stadium is the most intimidating in all of...Nashville.” – Mark May

 

And last, but not least a reader submission from Jason...

 

Referring to Wisconsin’s dominance in home games:

“They’ve won 22 of their last 22 night games, including 11 in a row.” – Todd Blackledge

 

Don’t forget...if you hear an announcer quote you just can’t believe, send it to footballcolumn@yahoo.com before the weekly deadline (Sunday nights at 7 pm): you might make it into next week’s article!

3.  THAT CAN’T BE RIGHT

The ridiculous stat lines and improbable scores that make you think the sports ticker has malfunctioned...

Georgia Tech WR Demaryius Thomas: 9 catches, 230 yards, 1 TD

Georgia Tech QB Jaybo Shaw, 9-14 passing, 230 yards, 1 TD

For those of you that need a little help processing that stat, only one Georgia Tech player caught a pass on Saturday...all nine completions went to the same guy!  A balanced offense it was not...but the Jackets still posted a big-time shutout win against Duke.

Special recognition for impressive stat lines also goes to:

Florida State RB Antone Smith (4 rushing touchdowns)

Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell (7 total touchdowns: 6 pass, 1 rush)

Iowa State for jumping out to a 20-0 halftime lead on nationally ranked Kansas (even though they wound up losing, 35-33.)

4.  THANK GOODNESS FOR MY DVR

This section of the column, where we run down the jaw-dropping highlights that were worth rewinding for, has to start with Middle Tennessee State way back on Tuesday.  In case you missed the game, the Blue Raiders were trailing Florida Atlantic 13-0 late in the contest, but pulled off a miracle 14-13 win by completing a Hail Mary pass with no time left. 

Quarterback Joe Craddock let the ball fly from 32 yards away, and freshman wide receiver Malcolm Beyah came down with it in a crowded end zone to send the entire stadium into hysteria.

I asked Beyah later this week what he was thinking as he went up to attempt the game-winning catch, and his answer was simple: “I was thinking that we needed a win.  I saw the ball, so I jumped and caught it.” 

Malcolm also told me that the play has “worked in practice, but never like that,” and mentioned how the big comeback win gives MTSU “a major confidence boost going into the rest of the schedule; it lets us know that we can play with any team.”

Congratulations to the Blue Raiders on posting this week’s No. 1 DVR play.  Honorable mention in the “you had to see it to believe it” category goes to a quartet of players that made amazing one-handed end zone catches...even though none of them should really count for our purposes! 

Marty Booker, Chicago Bears

Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts

Greg Carrone, Florida State

Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina

What can I say?  I like one-handed catches!  Here’s the disclaimers: two of the players are obviously in the NFL, not college... but the catches were so insanely good I had to mention them. 

The two college players didn’t actually get touchdowns because of a penalty (FSU) and not getting a toe inbounds (UNC).  But you know what?  I thought they were worth rewinding for...

...and it’s my column!

Your favorite highlight of the weekend could appear here!  E-mail me next weekend at footballcolumn@yahoo.com with the play that was worth rewinding for!

 

5.  SINCE I DO LIVE IN OHIO... (news from around the Big Ten)

Congratulations to Illini QB Juice Williams for setting a Michigan Stadium record with 431 all-purpose yards.  Williams’ victorious performance makes U-M coach Rich Rodriguez 0-1 in homecoming games at Michigan.  If you ask me, that’s a far cry from legendary coach Bo Schembechler, who was an unblemished 21-0 on Homecoming.  This officially ends today’s edition of COACF’s “Random trivia you can impress your friends with.”

Oh, and one other goofy Big Ten story you may not have heard about: the Wisconsin band didn’t show up for Saturday night’s home game against Ohio State.

Literally.  The entire band was suspended for the game as part of an ongoing investigation into hazing and other improper activities.

At least there was a reason.  After all, Purdue’s offense didn’t show up for Saturday’s home game against Penn State, but suspension had nothing to do with it.

 

6.  MAYBE COACHING IS EASIER THAN I THOUGHT

And now, an open letter to “whom it may concern”:

Dear prospective coaches of all ages,

Allow me to point out two things you must always remember as you pursue your coaching dreams and career.

No. 1—when you are trying to convert a 4th-and-1 play with two minutes to go in the football game, do not snap the ball to your quarterback in the shotgun.  The shotgun formation, by definition, means that the ballcarrier will start his ultimately futile quest to gain a yard from approximately six yards further away than necessary. 

If you look up the term “counterproductive” in the dictionary, this is the example that you will find. 

Obviously West Virginia head man Bill Stewart does not own said dictionary.

Lesson No. 2...if thou art in field goal range with approximately two minutes left in a football game (as Iowa was Saturday)...and thou art trailing in the football game by three points (as Iowa was Saturday)...and thou art faced with a fourth down (as Iowa was Saturday), thou shalt always, always, always, always kick the 38-yard field goal to tie the game.

If thou shalt choose to ignore this commandment, thou shalt suffer a final score such as:

Michigan State 16, Iowa 13

...and thy official “Kirk Ferentz Memorial Coaching Seat” shall get a tad bit hotter.

I bring up these things for your benefit; it would behoove you to heed their instruction.

P.S.  If you’ve mastered these lessons and are ready for more advanced concepts, try these on for size (warning: mathematics and strategic thinking required)

A. If you lead the game by one and score a late touchdown, always go for two to try and make the game a two-possession contest.  Finish the deal right then.  (Oregon State learned this the hard way in Utah on Thursday.)

B.  If you trail the game by nine, ten, or eleven in the last few minutes, kick a field goal as soon as possible, even on first down.  You need to score twice anyway, and the time you save by not attacking the end zone will be critical.

Think about it...sleep on it...set the situation up on your Xbox video game...whatever...

...but I’m convinced.

And yes, maybe coaching is easier than I thought.

7.  EVEN THOUGH SEVENTEEN IS A RANDOM NUMBER

Here’s the Top 17 ballot I submitted earlier today:

1.         Oklahoma

2.         Missouri

3.         LSU

4.         Alabama

5.         Texas

6.         Texas Tech

7.         BYU

8.         Penn State

9.         USC

10.       Florida

11.       Ohio State

12.       Georgia

13.       Vanderbilt

14.       Boise State

15.       Utah

16.       Oklahoma State

17.       Northwestern

Note: instead of giving a tidbit on each team, I thought I’d use this space today to explain my current ranking philosophy.  You’ll probably notice that I dropped a few solid football teams out this week (South Florida, Auburn, and Wisconsin among them). 

The reason is that I want to make sure and reward the teams that have made it to this point undefeated.  Now I don’t know if Utah, Oklahoma State, and Northwestern are really in the nation’s top 17 teams, but I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt because their unbeaten records are still intact. 

Ball State is another squad that could crack my rankings in the near future if they remain unscathed.

Remember, you can sway my rankings by sending an e-mail to footballcolumn@yahoo.com and lobby for your team (or against a different team).  I can be convinced!  (Maybe!)

8.  COMING ATTRACTIONS

I don’t know why anyone would need a reason to be excited about the upcoming college football weekend.  But if you do, here’s three:

a. “Worth buying a ticket for”:  a matchup that deserves the hype.  Texas and Oklahomabattle in the annual Red River Shootout; the winner takes a big step towards a possible BCS title game appearance.

b. “Heat check”:  this team’s playing great, but faces a serious test.  We’re going to stay in the Big 12: Oklahoma State has started the year undefeated and is shooting up the national polls.  Traveling to Missouri will show us quickly if the Cowboys are for real.  It’d be nice if they were: I’d sure like to have a recent Oklahoma State football highlight in my memory that doesn’t involve a press conference tirade by their head coach. 

c. “Diamond in the rough”: an in-depth profile of a game that deserves a closer look.  I’m going to give it a couple days before I confirm which game will be spotlighted in the October 12th edition of DITR.  I’m still trying to lay out a schedule that covers a variety of teams and conferences; remember, you can e-mail footballcolumn@yahoo.com to try and get your squad’s upcoming game on the list!

Thanks for reading today’s “Carrying On”—don’t forget to check back next Sunday for another complete wrapup of everything college football. 

 

Tim Cary (yes, Cary…as in “Carrying on”) is a resident of Springfield, Ohio and a die-hard college football fan (especially when it comes to the Purdue Boilermakers).  

To submit thoughts, ideas, questions, arguments, or anything else for “Carrying On About College Football”, e-mail: footballcolumn@yahoo.com.  Send in your ideas throughout the week...and check out the latest installment of COACF each Sunday night on BleacherReport.com.

Navy's annual game against Air Force, part of the yearly battle for the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy between Air Force, Army, and Navy, took on a little more special than normal performance for Navy.  Special teams that is.

Navy, whose special teams had failed to block a punt for a touchdown in nearly nine years, accomplished that feat twice on Saturday as the Midshipmen defeated Air Force for the sixth straight time, 33-27, improving to 4-2 on the season.

The Midshipmen found a crack in Air Force's punt team and twice exploited it, once on a 25 yard touchdown early in the game and then again the fourth quarter when Navy recovered the football after the punt was blocked and deflected into the end zone.

That flaw that Navy found in Air Force's punt team?  It was the Falcon's back wall shifting out of sync as the ball was snapping, leaving the Midshipmen a small gap to break through and block the punt.

Even senior kicker Matt Harmon got in on the special teams action, connecting on a school record four field goals for Navy, from 35, 48, 44, and 32 yards.  In a season where the offense has been Navy's source of points, it was the special teams that finally took over the spotlight and won the game for the Midshipmen.

In a game where Navy's offense was out-gained in total offense, 411-244, Air Force needed not look much further than the special teams and turnover categories.  Of Navy's 33 points, 14 came off of the two blocked punts and another 10 on two turnovers.  In all, the Midshipmen's vaunted triple-option offense only produced a single score for the game on a three yard run by quarterback Jarod Bryant, only 1:23 into the third quarter.

The victory over Air Force helps Navy continue to silence rumors that the Midshipmen were having a down year after starting the season 1-2 with losses to Ball State and Duke.  However, since that 1-2 start, Navy has come storming back with three straight victories, including a 23-21 edging of Rutgers, and an stunning 24-17 victory last week over No. 16 Wake Forest, Navy's first win over a ranked team since 1985, when the Midshipmen knocked off No. 20 Virginia, 17-13.

Navy also gains a huge boost in their defense of the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy, as the Midshipmen look to retain the trophy for a sixth straight year.  Navy also extends its winning streak against service academy teams to 12, which ties the record that was set by Air Force from 1997 to 2002. 

Navy has a chance to win the trophy outright on Dec. 6 when Army and Navy face off at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA in the last game of the season for both teams.  Barring a sudden Army revival, the trophy looks to remain in the possession of the Midshipmen.

At the very least, the victory ensures that the Falcons (3-2) will not get the trophy this year.  An Air Force victory over Army and an Army victory over Navy would result in a tie between the three, with Navy retaining the title for a sixth straight year by default. 

An Army win over Air Force, however, would set up a showdown on Dec. 6th for the battle of the trophy.  Army could claim the trophy that day for the first time since 1996 with a win.  A loss by the Black Knights would give Navy the trophy outright.

The victory also inches Navy closer to evening up the series history with Air Force, a 25-16 advantage in favor of the Falcons.

Air Force will look to recover from the loss next week as they go on the road to take on San Diego State in Mountain West Conference action while Navy will look to increase their three game winning streak as the Midshipmen welcome Pittsburgh to Annapolis on October 18th.

This article is dedicated to three teams who should get attention for the improvement over the last few years, but do not (or at least not yet).

Buffalo

Yes, the Buffalo Bulls of the MAC.  Yes, the team that only won two games two years ago.  This a very good team and they have a good shot of winning their conference.  Last year they won just five games, but they were all conference wins and finished one win behind division champion Bowling Green. 

They are lead by Senior Quarterback Drew Willy, who, in my opinion, is one of the more underrated quarterbacks in the NCAA.  He threw for 2,572 yards, 15 touchdowns, and six interceptions last year.  He was seventh in completion percentage in the country and tied with Tim Tebow for fewest interceptions thrown. 

He will also have James Starks returning with him in the backfield.  Last year, as a sophmore, he ran for 1103 yards, which was good to tie for 45th on the rushing list with Jacob Hester of LSU.  He also had the second longest run of the year, last year, with a 92 yard run. 

This year they started off with a very good win over UTEP with Willy throwing for four touchdowns.  This week, after three quarters, they trailed Pittsburgh by only one point.  Unfortunately they struggled in the fourth and surrendered 10 points to lose by 11.  Still they have to be happy with that kind of showing against a decent Big East team.  They then beat Temple on a last second hail mary play.

Unfrotunately they have lost two games to Missouri and Central Michigan.  However they stayed close with Missouri and only lost to Central Michigan by two.

Kentucky

Now you are going to ask me why they are on this list.  Well I am going to tell you. 

After losing Heisman Candidate Andre Woodson to the NFL most people have written this team off and have predicted them to finish near the bottom of the conference.  Most people have said their defense will not do well enough. 

So far through four games their defense has done pretty well.  They have let up twenty two points so far and would have shut out Louisville if the offense did not allow safety.  Now, you are going say, "Who cares? It was against Louisville, Norfolk State, Middle Tennessee, and Western Kentucky." 

Well, last year in their first two games against Kent State and Eastern Kentucky, they let up a combined 30 points.  They also let Louisville score 34 points last year as well.

In addition to Woodson they also lost starting running back, Rafael Little, and starting wide receivers Steve Johnson and Keenan Burton. 

They have turned to a two running back system with sophomore Derrick Locke and Tony Dixon.  So far Locke has responded well—becoming the leader of this offense.  He has 121 yards and one touchdown in their two wins, while fellow sophomore Mike Hartline adjusts to being the starter after throwing just six passes all of last year.

Kentucky's first true conference test will not be until October 4th against currently ranked 13th Alabama.

Air Force

After somehow pulling off a nine-win season that included beating Notre Dame last year, many people seem to believe they will slip back to futility.

People are pointing to the fact that they only return eight starters on offense and defense as a reason.  But, I believe after back to back four win seasons in 2005 and 2006, 2007 was hardly an aberration and Air Force will stay at the top of their conference.

On offense, they lost their top six rushers last year which will be tough to fill but three of the five linemen started last year so that will make the adjustment to the new backfield a lot easier.

So far they have beaten Southern Utah and Wyoming by a combined score of 64-10.  Now you might say like Kentucky, "whatever", but people have picked Wyoming to finish ahead of Air Force in the standings. 

Their schedule gets a little tougher having to play at Houston next week, Utah the following week, and BYU near the end of the season.

They beat Houston who just beat ECU and nearly beat Utah.

Well there you have it.  My three teams who are improving but you just don't know it yet.

And after this week, September 27th they are 9-4.

This one will be similar to the Colorado State preview since they also play the Houston Cougars.  This game is taking place in Houston and is during week three of the season.  By this game the Falcons will have played Southern Utah and conference foe Wyoming Cowboys and should be ready for this Houston game.

The same can be said for the Cougars, who will have played I-AA Southern University and then Oklahoma State in week two.  Houston will have had a big challenge the week prior and could be looking to rebound after a possible loss to Oklahoma State.

Offense

The Houston Cougars return six starters on the offensive side of the ball and will be led by wide receiver Mark Hafner, who had 445 yards receiving and three touchdowns.  Those are modest stats, but considering he was playing behind Donnie Avery and Jeron Harvey, who have graduated, those are pretty good stats for a third wideout.

The Cougars' new coach Kevin Sumlin has improved the offensive output at each stop he has made, but his biggest improvement was with Texas A&M, where Sumlin was moved into the offensive coordinator role.  The Aggies averaged 33.0 points per game after posting just 16.0 per game before he took control.  Sumlin is an innovator on offense and should keep the recent tradition from Art Briles of being able to score bunches of points.

The QB position is muddled, but whoever gets the position should thrive.  The two quarterbacks are currently listed as number one on the depth chart.  This should be figured out in fall camp.  The two are Case Keenum and Blake Joseph, who split time last year.  Keenum played in every game and started eight, while Joseph played in eleven games and started in five.

Keenum has more mobility and rushed for 412 yards and nine touchdowns, which is solid for a quarterback.  As for passing Keenum had 2,259 yards, 68 completion percentage, 14 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.  Blake Joseph, in less time, threw for a comparable percentage.  However, Joseph’s touchdown to interception ratio was 2.25 to 1.5, but that could be inflated due to playing time.

Being just the third game of the season, the quarterback situation still might be up in the air and by committee, because it is doubtful anything will be proven by playing Southern, where both should get plenty of time.  Depending on how the Oklahoma State game goes, where both should play again, that may be when a starter is named.

The key loss at running back is Anthony Alridge.  He will be replaced by Terrance Ganaway, who as a backup had 550 yards, six touchdowns, and an average of 5.0 per carry.  He should be able to put up similar numbers to Alridge, who rushed for just under 1,600 yards.

If these new starters fill their new positions well and a quarterback is chosen, Houston’s offense should not skip a beat from last year.

Defense

The defense will need to help carry the offense while it finds its way and becomes acquainted with the new scheme.  By this game the offense should be up to speed and help the defense as well.

There are eight returning starters on defense from a team who did give up 27 points per game, which needs to improve to help the Cougars compete in more games.  Last year the offense was able to outscore teams and the defense was called upon just to make timely stops when it counted.  But this year the defense will need to share the load.

The primary returning starter on defense is defensive end Phillip Hunt, who had 10.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss.  He will see a lot of double teams and free up another player to make the play.  Hunt is the leader of the front seven.

In the secondary the Cougars return Kenneth Fontenette and Ernest Miller.  These two had four picks and 11 passes broken up and will only get better.

Early Prediction

This game being on the road does favor the Cougars, but the Falcons are accustomed to the throwing attack of Houston.  However, with the inexperience of the Falcons offense, they will not be able to score enough points, so look for Houston to win by ten points.

This post has been syndicated from the Mountain West Conference Connection.  Check out the blog news and subscribe.

They play for one reason, and one reason only—for the love of the game. Their work ethic, sportsmanship and dedication to their country are the reasons why the Army, Navy, and Air Force epitomize what everything right is about college football.

There are no rumpled jerseys, no earrings, no flashy jewelry, no long hair, nor beards on their sidelines. There are no touchdown celebrations involving unsportsmanlike conduct. Questioning a coach's decision is a foreign thought; the respect they hold for authority is second-to-none.

They are, arguably, the ultimate football players, and more importantly, the ultimate role models.

James Patrick "JP" Blecksmith (Navy '03) was one of those role models—a role model who never came back after graduating from the Naval Academy.

He was killed November 11, 2004, after deploying to Iraq. His unit was taking part (clearing a building) in Operation Iraqi Freedom II in Fallujah, when he took a bullet to the left shoulder; it eventually lodged in his heart. He was 24 years old when he died.

His athletic and academic accomplishments were impressive. He lettered four years in track, two in soccer, and three in football at the tony Flintridge Preparatory School in La Canada, Ca. JP was first team, all-CIF quarterback as a junior and a senior.

He was named to three national All-American teams as a blue chip athlete. He was also all-CIF track in his sophomore, junior and senior years, and was the Prep League's Most Valuable Athlete in 1999. He was also tenth grade class president, a National Honor Society member and a peer counselor.

JP was the kid you wanted your daughter to marry.

After accepting an appointment with the Naval Academy, Blecksmith played four years on the Navy football team, eventually lettering as a senior wide receiver. While most college football players have aspirations of big money in the NFL, Blecksmith had his life already planned out for him.

He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Marines Corps and commanded the third platoon (India Company) of the Third Battalion, Fifth Regiment of the First Marine Division.

Just a few months after celebrating his 24th birthday, he was killed in action in Iraq.

JP had two missions when he deployed to Iraq; to be the best leader of the platoon he commanded, and to bring back all of his men safely. He succeeded in both missions.

His death was the only one in his platoon. JP paid the ultimate sacrifice, and was awarded the Purple Heart, as well as the Bronze Star, posthumously, in front of his platoon, for his bravery.

Many critics of the service academies point out that they are not as competitive (due to height and weight restrictions) as other FBS schools, and in particular, elite schools. The history that these schools enjoy defies that logic.

The Naval Midshipmen and Army Black Knights share five Heisman Trophy winners. The Air Force, with its triple option attack since 1965, has been one of the nation's top ten rushing teams for nineteen of twenty-one years.

More recently, Navy beat Notre Dame, 46-44 in triple OT, snapping a 43 game losing streak going back to 1963. If you don't think that game was monumental to Navy, you obviously didn't watch the game. It was one of the most defining moments of college football, as it showed grit, determination, and the human desire to never give up. 

While many football players look ahead to their potential future in the NFL, the Navy football players know their path is far different. They came to play a game, be their most competitive against a vastly superior talent pool, and hopefully, show some young school-age boys a different view of what sportsmanship, commitment to one's country, unselfishness and sacrifice really mean.  The Navy's sidelines aren't filled with dead-pans into the cameras, or "we're number one" shouts.

Instead, their sidelines are filled with empty chairs; chairs with a set of shoulder pads and jersey of each of their fallen comrades.

A poignant and solemn reminder of really how unimportant football is in the scope of things. Perhaps no game signifies the importance of the contributions made by the service academies more than the Army-Navy game played the first Saturday of every December.

The beautiful sight of college football is completely captured in this game. Young cadets in their formal uniforms, with brass buttons shining in the sun, and their clean-cut, scrubbed faces ready for a day filled with fun, and yet, carrying with them the knowledge that their future is uncertain, but embraced, nevertheless.

They are football players who don't possess the five-star athletic ability of some of their rivals, but whose hearts and minds are so driven, that they are a force to be reckoned with in every game.

To quit is not in their language.

To finish strong is their mission.

To face all odds with bravery, and to finish the game with intensity.

To represent the finest America has to offer, with dignity and class. To play the game the way it was meant to be played. Nothing more.

For most seniors, the last game of the year is the most emotional. Almost every player knows it is their last time on a football field. They also know that for some of them, it's the last time they will see some of their teammates' faces.

Many of them will be deployed, and during wartime, some will not come back.

It is at this point, that they realize they have just played their final football game, and it's time to get serious with life.

It's time to say goodbye to their teammates, time to say goodbye to the other players. Each one of them knows, while they fought tooth and nail to beat each other up on the field, eventually, they all will be working together, on one team, to defeat the enemy and to protect the very precious soil that they stand on. And play on.

After the game is finished, the losing team's alma mater is played, while the winning team's players stand side-by-side with the losing side's players, facing the losing side's academy section of the stadium. And the process reverses for the winning team.

Each side—once enemies on the field—comes together as one after the game, and solemnly recognizes that they all have each other's backs for as long as they live. For sure, there are no losers in this battle on the field.

America, however, has certainly lost some of their finest representatives of real men, and the sport of football has lost some of its greatest players. Not due to their athletic prowess, nor their bowl wins or great comeback-wins.   No, football has lost some of its greatest players because of what they represent—excellence both on and off the field. Sacrifice.

And all of football is truly graced to have these service academies remind us of what is really important in sport. Army, Navy and Air Force capture the essence of sportsmanship—competition, pride and class. Something both college and professional football players need to never forget, and perhaps, even learn.

The next time you watch one of the service academies play, remember JP Blecksmith's face. Remember this young man with short-cropped blond hair, squeaky-clean good looks and a mega-watt smile that could light up a room.

He wasn't just a football player. He was somebody's son or brother who tried to make you proud of his team and proud of your country.

And, more importantly, he made sure your family was safe while he was watching your back. Yeah, they all have our backs. We thank you for giving us these great games. And we thank you for making us proud to be Americans.     

James Patrick Blecksmith, Navy, '0309-26-8011-11-04 Go Navy, beat Army. R.I.P.  *special thanks to JP Blecksmith Foundation, at JPBlecksmith.org.

 BYU aims to crash the BCS party this fall and looks to be head and shoulders above everyone else in the Mountain West Conference. Utah has some important spots to fill and could be the Cougars’ main competition this fall. Here’s a look at the league as its teams go through spring football.

NEW COACH 

Steve Fairchild, Colorado State: He played and coached with the Rams, and while the program has sagged in recent seasons, Fairchild also knows how good it can be. He had spent the past seven seasons in the NFL, including the past two as offensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills. He was offensive coordinator for Colorado State from 1997-2000 under Sonny Lubick, who he is replacing. Fairchild re-hired former CSU defensive coordinator Larry Kerr to be his defensive coordinator. Though the Mountain West is a better league than most think, Fairchild will have the Rams contending for league titles quickly.

BIGGEST POSITION BATTLES THIS SPRING

BYU: There will be six new starters in the back eight on defense. Finding two new starting linebackers is the key.

Colorado State: Fairchild’s first priority is finding a new starting quarterback.

New Mexico: Both starting wide receivers are gone. Roland Bruno looks like the front-runner at one spot. But what about the other?

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San Diego State: The Aztecs’ first priority is finding a new starting quarterback. Junior college transfer Drew Westling may be the guy.

TCU: The Horned Frogs lost both defensive ends. Jerry Hughes looks like a good bet to take over one spot, and redshirt freshman Braylon Broughton has the potential to be a star on the other side.

UNLV: The Rebels need two new starting defensive ends and a linebacker to replace star Beau Bell. Jason Beauchamp should be UNLV’s star linebacker this season.

Utah: The Utes need to find a new go-to receiver, and Bradon Godfrey may be the guy. Utah also must find a new starting defensive end (Greg Newman?) and two new linebackers. Mike Wright would seem to be the likely guy at one of the linebacker spots.

Wyoming: Finding two new starting wide receivers and two new starting cornerbacks is important. Keith Lewis is a front-runner at cornerback. The receiving jobs are wide open.

FIVE PLAYERS WHO SHOULD EMERGE THIS SPRING

Colorado State LB Ricky Brewer: He played well down the stretch as a redshirt freshman last season and has the potential to be the Rams’ leading tackler this season. He’s still a little on the light side (he’s listed at 210 pounds), but he can run and he packs a wallop.

New Mexico WR Roland Bruno: The Lobos lost both starting wide receivers, meaning it’s a wide-open slate for Bruno - a former walk-on who’s now a junior. He finished the season as the No. 3 receiver, but has the potential and quickness to be the go-to guy this season.

Air Force G Nick Charles: He started all 13 games as a sophomore last season. He started at both guard spots and at left tackle. If he is allowed to settle in at one spot, he should make the jump to legit all-conference performer this season. He’s a dean’s list student, too.

Utah WR Bradon Godfrey: Utah’s top two receivers are gone. Godfrey, a senior, is the Utes’ leading returning receiver and should be their go-to guy this fall. He began his career at Division I-AA Southern Utah, then transferred to Utah and walked-on, eventually earning a scholarship. He doesn’t have great speed, but he has good hands, good size (6-3/197) and is physical.

TCU DT James Vess: Vess, who will be a junior this fall, sat out last season for a violation of school policy. He had played well late in 2006 and his absence was felt last season. He has good quickness for a tackle and has all-league potential.

FIVE IMPACT NEWCOMERS THIS SPRING

New Mexico OT Byron Bell: Coaches rave about Bell’s potential. He’s a redshirt freshman who is expected to nail down a starting spot at one of the vacant tackle spots.

TCU DE Braylon Broughton: The Horned Frogs lost both starting defensive ends. Junior Jerry Hughes has first dibs on one starting spot, and the rangy Broughton – a redshirt freshman – should strongly be in the hunt for the other spot.

BYU RB J.J. Di Luigi: Di Liugi, who redshirted last season, rushed for 2,159 yards and 34 TDs as a senior at Canyon Country (Calif.) Canyon High in 2006, when he was a three-star prospect. He’s not going to beat out Harvey Unga for the starting job, but Di Liugi should be a nice change-of-pace back who also could be split out wide and used some as a receiver.

Colorado State DT Sevaro Johnson: Johnson, a junior college transfer, already is enrolled and will get a shot to fill one of the two vacant starting defensive tackle spots.

San Diego State QB Drew Westling: The Aztecs are going to have a new quarterback. The question is which “new guy” gets the job. Westling, a junior college transfer who already is enrolled, began his career at Tulsa before moving on to a junior college. He’s expected to battle redshirt freshman Ryan Lindley and sophomore Kelsey Sokoloski for the starting job left vacant by the graduation of Kevin O’Connell.