Air Force enjoys bye before playing tough Navy team

Air Force outside linebacker Andre Morris Jr. watched football. Inside linebacker Brandon Reeves kicked a flu bug. And strong safety Chris Thomas snuck in a little golf.

Last weekend the Falcons had their first bye since early in the 2006 season. So on Saturday and Sunday players enjoyed a fall rarity - back-to-back days off.

"I do feel more rejuvenated," Morris said. "My legs feel better. So it was good to have the rest time."

While Air Force players were relaxing Saturday, archrival Navy was locked in a physical battle with then-No. 16 Wake Forest. The Midshipmen, who upset the Demon Deacons, 24-17, will play their second straight road game at Falcon Stadium this Saturday at 2 p.m. But they won't be looking for sympathy.

"Football's a physical game, I don't care who you play, you're going to be banged up," first-year Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo said. "But nobody cares. Our opponent doesn't care. We have to suck it up and get it going."

Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said his players might feel better physically but they have to get used to playing at game speed again. To help them adjust, Calhoun will hold an intense practice this afternoon. "We've got to run into each other and run into each other really hard," he said.

Kaipo update

Navy senior quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada is "questionable to probable," for Saturday's game, Niumatalolo said Monday.

Kaheaku-Enhada aggravated his left hamstring late in the first half of Navy's victory over Wake Forest and did not return to the game. He missed the Midshipmen's first two games after injuring the hamstring in the preseason, but Niumatalolo said this injury is "not as bad as in (preseason) camp."

"If we had to play today, he couldn't play," Niumatalolo said. "It's day-to-day right now."

Midshipmen impressive

Navy's victory over Wake Forest was its first over a team ranked in both polls since 1985. It impressed the Falcons.

"They're a good team," senior tight end Keith Madsen said of the Midshipmen. "We knew it before, and then that (victory over Wake Forest) just proves how good they are."

Etc.

Only one change to the updated two-deep chart released Monday: Sophomore Stephan Atrice replaced freshman Jon Davis at backup strong safety. ... Senior defensive end Jake Paulson and freshman receiver Jonathan Warzeka did not practice Monday as they are recovering from the flu. Calhoun said he expected both to participate in today's practice.