Around MWC football: AFA's Jefferson gets another chance

Air Force sophomore Tim Jefferson has a chance to re-establish himself as the Falcons' top quarterback.

Jefferson, last season’s Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year, has been hampered by an ankle injury and inconsistent play this season. And in the last two weeks, sophomore Connor Dietz seemed to entrench himself as Air Force's starting signal-caller.

But Dietz will miss at least three weeks after undergoing surgery on Monday for a broken bone in his right (throwing) hand, allowing Jefferson to re-enter the starting lineup.

“I’m just ready to get back out on the field and just be me,” he said. “Like I was last year.”

Asked if Jefferson appears to be “back to his old self,” Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said, “He’s very close. Without a doubt.

“I think when you’re that way it’s not only physically, but I think you tend to play with a little more confidence, too.”

Jefferson said he had no problems with Dietz earning three starts in recent weeks.

“I stand by the fact that whoever’s the best player for that position at that time should be the one who’s playing,” he said. “And coach Calhoun made the decision because I wasn’t really fully healthy, to go with somebody who is healthy and who can contribute more than I could at the time. So I stand by that, and the best player should be playing at all times, so I don’t really hold anything against that. But it happens sometimes and you just have to suck it up.”

Jefferson had one of the best games of his career last season against Colorado State, completing 6-of-8 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns and running for 22 yards on six carries.

Long vs. Lobos

San Diego State defensive coordinator Rocky Long will face his old team on Saturday when New Mexico visits Qualcomm Stadium.

Long was the head coach at New Mexico for 11 years before resigning abruptly at the end of last season.

San Diego State coach Brady Hoke downplayed the affect Long’s familiarity with New Mexico’s players will have on Saturday's game.

“What I would say is this is San Diego State playing New Mexico,” Hoke said. “The one thing about coaches, we don’t get to get on the field and play anymore. We’re too old for that. So it’s about the kids on the field and the universities that are involved.”

First-year New Mexico coach Mike Locksley said he was sure it would be “an emotional” game for his players, “as it may be for Rocky.”

“But I also know the game’s not about us versus Rocky,” Locksley said. “It’s about New Mexico versus San Diego State.

Long had a 65-69 career record at New Mexico and took the Lobos to five bowls in his final seven seasons.

His successor, Locksley, will be back from a 10-day suspension for a physical altercation with one of his assistants. The suspension included the Lobos' loss to UNLV last Saturday.

“It’s great to be back,” Locksley said. “It’s been a difficult 10 days for me. Being away from football has given me some time to reflect and appreciate the opportunities that, when you don’t have something you love and it’s been a part of your life, it makes you appreciate it. I’m eager to move forward, and that’s what it’s all about right now for our program. We’re definitely not off to the start that I envisioned or that our players envisioned for our program, being 0-7, and the buck stops with me as the head football coach to find a way to get it corrected.”

San Diego State, which hasn't been to a bowl since 1998, is 3-4 after last week's victory over Colorado State and is three victories from bowl eligibility.

Patterson won’t stump

TCU coach Gary Patterson’s team is one of several from non-automatic qualifying Bowl Championship Series conferences hoping to break into the BCS this season.

The Horned Frogs are No. 6 in the most recent BCS standings, one spot ahead of Boise State of the Western Athletic Conference. And while polls make up part of the BCS equation, Patterson said he won’t campaign for his team to voters.

“I don’t think anybody’s going to listen to Gary Patterson,” Patterson said.

“I think your actions have to speak on the field. … I get one vote in the whole situation, and I think my team has to speak for itself outside of that.”

Patterson said he doesn’t talk “at all” to his players about the BCS rankings.