RAMSEY: Depleted, underachieving Air Force defense must revive ... and soon

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – I could suggest Air Force’s defense needs a few years to recover from Saturday’s 59-33 massacre at Notre Dame Stadium.

But the Falcons don’t have the luxury of time. The injury-depleted defense must revive by Thursday when San Diego State and terrifying mini-back Ronnie Hillman arrive at Falcon Stadium.

A win over San Diego State will not rank as a program-altering event, but it will return hope to a season tumbling out of control.

For three horrific quarters, the Falcons' defense could not be accurately described as a defense. Air Force squandered an 18-point lead at Navy as the Falcons traveled perilously close to one of the worst losses in their history.

It got worse. Notre Dame dropped 42 points on the Falcons in the first two quarters. Irish quarterback Tommy Rees dropped back and usually saw three or four receivers roaming free and open.

The Falcons didn’t cover, didn’t tackle, didn’t pressure Rees, didn’t hustle, didn’t pursue. Other than those faults, they played fantastic.

The first-half horror show ended when Rees hit Theo Riddick with a short pass in the middle of Air Force’s defense. Riddick was surrounded by tacklers, but that was right where he wanted to be. He wandered past half the defense to the end zone.

Senior safety Jon Davis watched from his knees at the 5-yard line as Riddick crossed the goal line. Davis is the fiercest and most gifted player on Air Force’s squad, and he’s a reminder of the defense’s better days. He started for a 2009 defense that held 10 opponents to 20 points or less.

Davis kneeled on the grass, glancing first at Riddick’s brief celebration before turning his eyes to the scoreboard. He didn’t want to believe what he saw, but it was true. The Fighting Irish had scored 42 points in 30 minutes.

“It was just hurtful to see a score like that,” Davis said. “I’ve never been beaten like that in my life.”

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. As this season opened, Air Force looked ready to crash the nation’s top 25. Expectations were soaring. The season will disintegrate beyond repair if the defense fails to recover against San Diego State.

Injuries can explain part of the defense’s extreme generosity. Defensive linemen Ryan Gardner, Ben Kopacka and Zach Payne are out, and this forced defensive coordinator Matt Wallerstedt to move linebacker Alex Means to the line and defensive back Brian Lindsay to linebacker.

The Falcons were undersized when the season began. After the injuries, they are downright miniature.

Troy Calhoun made sure to offer Wallerstedt an endorsement. “He’s done a heck of a job,” the coach said.

And Air Force defenders were careful to say nothing was wrong with defensive strategy. Davis said his defensive comrades have been put in the right places, but fail to deliver.

“We need to put our bodies in danger more and make that play for our team,” Davis said.

The chance to be more courageous arrives Thursday. If the Falcons lose to Hillman and company, they should prepare for a severely disappointing 7-5 or 8-4 finish.

Still, it’s too early to toss away all hope. A defense riddled with injury and haunted by one of the worst performances in academy history has a chance to silence critics, at least for a night.

After the Fighting Irish finished their scoring onslaught in the first half, Air Force defenders returned to the sideline to meet a surprisingly upbeat Wallerstedt.

“Forget about it. Move on. Don’t quit,” Wallerstedt shouted.

If you’re one of those football fans who prefer shouting coaches, don’t worry. The yelling will start Sunday when the Falcons return to the practice field. Wallerstedt knows what everyone connected with Falcons knows.

The defense has four days to salvage a season.