The season is here; so are answers to AFA questions

Shortly before Air Force opened the preseason, The Gazette looked at Five Pressing Questions facing the Falcons and took a stab at answering them.

Now, with 24 preseason practices in the books and the first football game six days away, we have some better answers for the questions.

1. Who’s the QB?

Sophomore Tim Jefferson. Though Jefferson won Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year honors in 2008, Air Force coach Troy Calhoun reopened the quarterback competition in spring by moving sophomore tailback Asher Clark back to quarterback (his high school position). Jefferson was pushed hard in the preseason by Clark and sophomore Connor Dietz, but he was able to win back his job. And the competition made him better — which might have been Calhoun’s main motivation all along.

2. If Clark’s the QB, Who’s the TB?

Not a totally irrelevant question, because Clark will get some snaps at quarterback in addition to playing tailback and because Air Force uses the tailback so much that it needs several at the position to contribute. Junior Savier Stephens was injured for the middle two weeks of preseason camp, but has returned and should be among the players who will spell Clark, along with junior Jared Tew (who likely will start at fullback) and freshman Darius Jones.

3. Who Will Replace P/K Ryan Harrison?

Senior Brandon Geyer will handle punting duties, and sophomore Erik Soderberg is expected to handle the place-kicking. Junior Zack Bell was listed at the top of the depth chart at kicker heading into the preseason, but he missed nearly all of August with an injury. And sophomore Garrett Jack, listed as the backup kicker heading into the preseason, left the team the second week of August. Soderberg displayed the strongest leg, but needs to be more consistent. If he’s not, freshman lefty Danny Compton could get a shot.

4. Can the Falcons Avoid Injuries Again?

Relatively speaking, yes. Junior Z receiver Kyle Halderman’s broken collarbone could keep him out until late October, and that’s a big loss. But while there were plenty of players in red jerseys at times in August, most of the injuries suffered were minor. Left guard Nick Charles (hamstring) is doubtful and junior outside linebacker Patrick Hennessey (shoulder) is questionable for the opener.

5. Which Freshmen Will Emerge?

A bunch. With Halderman out, Cody Getz and Drew Coleman likely will be the Falcons’ second and third Z receivers behind sophomore Jonathan Warzeka. Outside linebacker Alex Means has been impressive and might start in the opener if Hennessey is out. And he, along with safety Brian Lindsay and several others, will contribute on special teams.