Air Force notes: Jefferson appears fine, but Calhoun still cautious

All the reports on Air Force quarterback Tim Jefferson this week have been positive.

Jefferson has taken most of his normal repetitions in practice and hasn’t had any issues with the broken nose he suffered last week at New Mexico, indicating he will start against Army. Still, Falcons coach Troy Calhoun was cautious and didn’t proclaim Jefferson fit to start Saturday.

“We'll find out as we get later in the week," Calhoun said. “Watching him move and breathe, he has made good progress.”

Jefferson suffered a broken nose last season – oddly enough, also against New Mexico – and didn’t miss any starts. Calhoun said he has gotten a little better every day, and there were no breaks to any of his orbital bones, which is a positive.

“If there’s any way at all, he’ll play,” Calhoun said. “He’s a warrior and a great, great competitor.”

Steelman still sitting

The Falcons might not have to deal with Army quarterback Trent Steelman. According to the Times Herald-Record, Steelman did not practice Wednesday, which decreases his chances of playing Saturday. He has an ankle injury that kept him out last week. On Tuesday, Army coach Rich Ellerson said he would evaluate Steelman in practice Wednesday, if he could participate, and that would help determine his playing status.

“He desperately wants to play,” Ellerson said Tuesday. “We have to be smart so we don’t set him back.”

Warzeka hasn’t broken loose

One of the more surprising stats from Air Force’s first seven games is Jonathan Warzeka’s meager kickoff return average. Warzeka, the Mountain West’s preseason special teams player of the year, has averaged just 20.5 yards on his 17 returns, with a long gain of 36 yards. Warzeka ranks 10th in the league in kickoff return average. Air Force’s blocking in front of Warzeka has been a factor.  

“When it comes to execution, if there’s one guy that has the ball – whether it’s on offense or the return game – we have to have 10 others that absolutely win their one-on-ones,” Calhoun said last week.