Air Force must regroup during short week

 An Air Force team that has been battered by injuries and was battered on the scoreboard Saturday now has a short week to figure out its problems.

Air Force was beaten 59-33 by Notre Dame on Saturday. On Thursday, the Falcons play San Diego State – a 2010 bowl team that beat the Falcons last season.

“It’s going to be difficult,” running back Asher Clark said. “But when it’s time for kickoff, you have to be ready.”

The edge the Falcons have is that they are the home team in the short turnaround. The Aztecs have less time to prepare because they’ll be traveling to Colorado Springs on Wednesday. Also, San Diego State played a night game against TCU on Saturday, and every hour is valuable in a short week.

“We have the advantage that they have to travel to us,” quarterback Tim Jefferson said. “But it’s going to be tough. We know they’re a good team from last year.”

The Falcons’ biggest issue might be injuries. Air Force had seven starters who either didn’t play or were limited and didn’t start against Notre Dame because of injuries. Defensive linemen Zach Payne and Ryan Gardner, center Michael Hester, cornerback Chris Miller and tight end Josh Freeman are likely out this week. Defensive end Ben Kopacka was dressed out but didn’t play at Notre Dame. Outside linebacker Patrick Hennessey played some but is still limited with a broken thumb. Those two will be monitored this week.

“Probably need to find out who can go for us this week,” Falcons coach Troy Calhoun said.

Calhoun said both teams are dealing with a short week, so it won’t be an advantage or disadvantage for either side. Already this month the Falcons have had an emotional win at Navy, an embarrassing loss at Notre Dame, and now get the challenge of San Diego State.

“We got a pretty good stretch here,” Calhoun said. “When we got into October, we knew it was going to be a pretty good go of it.”