At midseason, Air Force has 2.77 GPA

With Air Force halfway through its 2009 regular season, it’s time to hand out some mid-term grades and awards prior to Saturday’s game against Wyoming.

Offense: D. It went about two-and-a-half games without scoring a touchdown, it ranks 73rd in the country with 359 yards per game and it settles for too many field goals in the red zone.

Defense: A. One of the academy’s best in years. It hasn’t given up more than 20 points in a game, and it has forced 20 turnovers and scored five touchdowns.

Special Teams: B-plus. The coverage and return units have been well above average, punter Brandon Geyer has been outstanding and kicker Erik Soderberg, even with his overtime miss at Navy, has been a pleasant surprise.

Offensive MVP: WR Kevin Fogler. Air Force’s offense has scored six touchdowns against Football Bowl Subdivision foes, and Fogler is responsible for half of them. He has scored four touchdowns total (a team high), is tied for the team lead in receptions (11) and leads the team in receiving yards (223) and yards per catch (20.3).

Defensive MVP: DT Ben Garland. Both cornerbacks and inside linebacker Justin Moore are candidates, but the 6-foot-5, 275-pound Garland has been borderline unblockable. The senior has made 25 tackles, including six for losses.

Freshman of the Half-Year: OLB Alex Means. The outside linebacker has started four of six games and ranks tied for fourth on the team in tackles with 28. He’s questionable for Saturday (foot).

Biggest Disappointment: Losing to Navy for the seventh straight season, this time in overtime.

Top Play: Plenty of defensive touchdowns from which to choose. But for sheer entertainment and “wow” factor, nothing beats sophomore free safety Jon Davis’ 38-yard interception return for a score at New Mexico.