Long football season tough on AFA freshmen
Final stretch of games will be rough
One of the major reasons for Air Force's success in 2007 was it reversed a trend of fading down the stretch.
In each season from 2001 through 2006, the Falcons failed to post a winning record in their last six regular-season games. But Air Force went 5-1 in the second half of 2007 thanks in large part to a renewed emphasis on in-season lifting and conditioning by first-year coach Troy Calhoun.
Finishing strong will be more difficult this season - and not just because the Falcons, who improved to 7-2 on Saturday with a 16-7 victory over Army, face state rival Colorado State, No. 17 BYU and No. 11 TCU in their final three games.
While most of the major contributors on the 2007 team were juniors and seniors, this team features 17 freshmen and sophomores who are starters or backups on offense and defense.
And young players wear down faster - especially at Air Force.
"I think juniors and seniors figure out the academy," Calhoun said. "One, they aren't just getting annihilated in their squadrons like can happen with the young guys. So that's something where you've got to do everything you possibly can to have a pulse on it."
Calhoun said he noticed in Saturday's victory that "those older guys that have been around a bit looked every bit as fast as they did in earlier games."
Some of his younger players, however, appeared a step slower.
That leaves Calhoun with a tough line to walk the rest of the season. He must push his young players to get better but be cognizant of saving their legs.
"Really at this point you want to minimize any kind of conditioning, except to warm up," he said. "But you still have to have toughness and be physical."
Saving daylight
Because clocks were turned back an hour this weekend, Air Force has adjusted its practice schedule so it can complete sessions before it gets dark. Starting today, the Falcons will hit the field about 45 minutes earlier - at 3:15 p.m. Air Force players still will lift prior to practice, but they will hold meetings after practice.
