Air Force football: Biggest holes are in the backfield
When Air Force begins spring practice this afternoon at 3:30 at Falcon Stadium, most observers’ eyes will be focused on the quarterbacks.
The Falcons are looking for a replacement for four-year starter Shaun Carney, the program’s all-time leader in passing and total yardage.
But quarterback is just one of many concerns for coach Troy Calhoun.
“You have eight returning starters — five on defense, three on offense — and that means you’ve got a bunch of spots that are completely open,” Calhoun said. “And yet I’ll just tell you right now that every spot that you have is going to have to be won.”
In addition to quarterback, where senior-to-be Shea Smith is listed as the starter on the depth chart Calhoun released Monday, tailback will be a position to watch. Air Force lost its top six rushers from last season to graduation, including tailbacks Jim Ollis, Kip McCarthy and Chad Smith and running back/receiver Chad Hall.
Savier Stephens is the Falcons’ leading returning rusher after gaining 148 yards on 36 carries as a freshman. He is listed as the Falcons’ starter, but Calhoun said Stephens might not practice much because he has been diagnosed with a hernia. Brenton Byrd, a Harrison High School graduate who will be a junior next year, is listed as the backup.
“I think a guy like Brenton Byrd’s got to come on, and he might be ready to do that,” Calhoun said.
TENTATIVE PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Practices typically will be held on the practice fields behind the Cadet Field House but could be moved indoors or to Falcon Stadium because of weather. (Today’s practice will be at Falcon Stadium).
Today, 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.
Friday, 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, 9:30 a.m.
March 11, 3:30 p.m.
March 12, 3:30 p.m.
March 18, 3:30 p.m.
March 19, 3:30 p.m.
April 1, 3:30 p.m.
April 2, 3:30 p.m.
April 4, 3:30 p.m.
April 5, 9:30 a.m. (Falcon Stadium)
April 8, 3:30 p.m.
April 9, 3:30 p.m.
April 11, 3:30 p.m.
April 12, 9:30 a.m. (Falcon Stadium)*
* - No spring game, rather a controlled scrimmage
