Using diverse stretching techniques

After limiting its first six opponents to an average of 303 yards of offense, BYU gave up 410, 463 and 401 yards in consecutive games prior to last Saturday.

TCU, UNLV and Colorado State - the teams that rolled up the yards - have something in common, according to Air Force coach Troy Calhoun: An ability to spread a defense, "both vertically and across the field."

The teams averaged 36.3 points against a defense that had allowed an average of 10.2 points.

Air Force doesn't have the perimeter skill players of those squads, but "you've still got to find ways to" spread the field, Calhoun said. He said the Falcons need to avoid getting "caught in a bottled game ... where everything gets forced outside in.

"Now it becomes a game of pure mass, and that's not something we want to get into."

High praise

Calhoun said Tuesday his squad has set itself apart in terms of in-season improvement.

"This team's changed and developed more than any squad I've ever been around," he said.

Senior outside linebacker Hunter Altman also has noticed improvement.

"You can go back and look at the first two, three games and compare it to the last two, three games, and you can see how much better and how much faster we're playing," he said.

Etc.

Jake Paulson is one of 33 players on the midseason watch list for the Ted Hendricks Award, given to the nation's top defensive end. ... Calhoun said fullback Todd Newell (ankle) and receiver Spencer Armstrong (leg) remain questionable for Saturday's game. Outside linebacker Patrick Hennessey (shoulder) is doubtful. Receiver Josh Cousins (ankle) is also questionable.