AFA quarterback Jefferson returns to practice

Air Force freshman quarterback Tim Jefferson participated in his first spring practice on Saturday after missing the Falcons' first four sessions to concentrate on academics.

"It was great being able to run around with my teammates for a little while," Jefferson said. "It felt good just being able to run some plays and not have to think about my academics while everyone else was playing."

Air Force held a controlled scrimmage at Falcon Stadium, and Jefferson estimated he participated in "somewhere between 20 and 30" of the approximately 150 plays.

"We're installing a couple of new plays, and that's mainly what I ran," said Jefferson, who started the last eight games of Air Force's 2008 season and earned Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year honors. "I was a little rusty because I hadn't been there. ... I was a little slow with my timing and my foot steps were a little off, but I'm not too far off."

"He did all right," Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said. "He's certainly further along than he was 12 months ago."

Jefferson said Calhoun originally floated the idea of Jefferson participating in only two or three practices a week during the spring so he could spend more time on school work. Jefferson said he wanted more time than that and asked if he could practice only on Saturdays.

Now, however, Jefferson said he wants to practice more than just on Saturdays and that he and Calhoun would discuss it next week after looking at his grades. Jefferson said he's gotten "well back on track" and isn't in danger of becoming academically ineligible.

Freshman Connor Dietz and sophomore Ben Cochran got most of the snaps at quarterback Saturday, as Calhoun said he wanted to play those who have limited or no varsity experience. Freshman Asher Clark, who was moved to quarterback from tailback, also got some reps.