TCU defense lives up to top ranking
FORT WORTH, Texas - Air Force coach Troy Calhoun placed TCU's defense in pretty elite company after the 15th-ranked Horned Frogs drubbed the Falcons 44-10 on Saturday.
"They're as good a defense probably as we've faced here at the academy since Oklahoma," Calhoun said, referring to the Sooners' 2001 team that beat Air Force 44-3 at the academy and finished the season 11-2. "Not only how stout they are but just how rapidly they're able to swarm the football."
TCU, the nation's top-ranked defense in yards allowed per game, held the Falcons to 161 yards - their lowest output of the season. While Air Force gained 150 yards on the ground - the most the Horned Frogs have given up this season - 111 came on two carries. Take away those two bursts and the Falcons averaged 1.1 yards per carry.
The Falcons did not have a drive that lasted more than six plays. And nine of the 11 times they had the ball they netted 16 or fewer yards.
Air Force junior right tackle Chris Campbell said the Horned Frogs were the best team the Falcons faced this season.
"They're extremely fast, very disciplined, play hard," Campbell said. "All that put together makes a pretty good football team."
