Ramsey: AFA football team needs to find way to get over hump

Troy Calhoun is mired in mediocrity at midseason, and he has a simple goal as he prepares for the six-game stretch that will define 2009.

He was standing on Air Force’s practice field on a chilly afternoon earlier this week while talking about how close — and how far — his team is from satisfaction.

“What you want more than anything else is …” Calhoun said.

Calhoun, who says “you” when most men would say “I,” took a pause as he searched for the right word.

He found it:

“... more.”

Here’s the thing to remember as the Falcons prepare for Wyoming’s Cowboys: Calhoun doesn’t need much more.

He’s lost three games by a total of 13 points. His Falcons should be strutting with five wins and one loss instead of stumbling with a 3-3 record.

Calhoun is burdened by the agonizing thought of what might have been. The Falcons should have beaten Minnesota and, especially, Navy. (The loss against TCU was inevitable and belongs in the noble loss/moral victory category.)

Falcons cornerback Anthony Wright Jr. scrunched his nose when he considered how close his team has been.

“Losing by that small of a margin,” he said, “that means we’re right there, but it also means we couldn’t pull it out, and that’s something I feel bad about.”

Wright knows how close his team has been. He knows how a few points can make a huge difference in the life of a team and its coach.

Just ask Josh McDaniels.

A few dozen miles north on Interstate 25, McDaniels is the current king of Colorado sports, a national sensation and owner of a 5-0 record. But the Boy Wonder could easily be 2-3.

He’s wildly popular because his Broncos have been mighty in the fourth quarter.

The next five weeks of fourth quarters will define Air Force’s season. They could easily win four of five, which would leave them 7-4 when they battle BYU on Nov. 21.

Winning three of five puts them at 6-5 heading to Provo and in danger of missing a ride on the ever-generous bowl merry-go-round.

A few of these games will be close. Air Force’s defense is its strongest of the new century, but its offense appears the weakest.

Calhoun must show more trust in his quarterback’s arm, regardless of who wins the battle between Connor Dietz and Tim Jefferson. This edition of the Falcons will not run its way to victories.

Take a chance, Troy. Throw the ball downfield every once in a while.

Against Utah, Colorado State and UNLV, the Falcons could find themselves in dramatic, tight battles in the fourth quarter.

So far this season, the Falcons have withered in close games. Sure, they mauled weaklings Nicholls State, New Mexico and San Diego State, but they collapsed against Minnesota, Navy and TCU.

Calhoun believes in this team.

“We have the parts,” he said. “We have good glue, good determination and good guys.”

But here’s where the more comes in.

Instead of finding ways to lose, the Falcons must find ways to win. Calhoun must display daring and belief.

Otherwise, this close-loss syndrome could stalk Air Force all season.

“If you’re in any activity long enough, you’re going to experience the edges,” Calhoun said.

Lately, he’s been walking the edge between victory and defeat.

And falling on the wrong side.