Air Force football ready for season's challenges

Air Force's record-breaking four-year starting quarterback is gone. So is last year's Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year. And so are the rest of the starting offensive skilled players, most of the top defensive playmakers and most of the leaders from the Falcons' surprisingly successful 2007 squad.

But even if it appears as if the sky is falling at the academy, the Falcons' returning players aren't running for cover.

"They say we lost a lot of guys, we've lost a lot of talent and everything, but just like every year there's going to be a guy to step up," senior outside linebacker Hunter Altman said Wednesday at Air Force's media day. "And I think that's the way it's going to be this season."

The Falcons will being trying to find those guys who will step up - most notably at quarterback, tailback and inside linebacker - today. Air Force opens its second preseason under coach Troy Calhoun this morning at 8:40.

"I think every year you're going to have some turnover at the Air Force Academy," Calhoun said. "But I think ultimately what you find is you have new kids that emerge. And that's what has to happen here."

Paffett will be limited in preseason

The question of who will replace 2007 MWC Offensive Player of the Year Chad Hall at Z receiver will be more difficult to answer than it appeared in the spring.

Senior Ty Paffett, who finished spring drills listed as the starter at Z - a hybrid running back/receiver position - still is recovering from a pair of offseason back surgeries and is not currently able to practice.

"Optimistically the goal is to get back for game one, but realistically it could be down the road a little bit," said Paffett, a Lewis-Palmer grad. "It's pretty painful right now. I've tried to do some things, and I get told not to do anything. So the only thing I can do right now is wait. Then I've got to work into rehab and get in shape, because I'm not in good shape at all. ... It's pretty frustrating."

Sophomore Kyle Halderman finished spring drills listed as the backup at Z. Sophomore cornerback Reggie Rembert also is expected to be used at the position.

Position changes

Junior Ryan Gonzales will start a crash course in offensive line play today. Gonzales recently was moved from the defensive line to offensive tackle.

"It's going to be tough - technique and just learning all the plays because the playbook's pretty advanced," Gonzales said.

Gonzales, who wore No. 49 last year, now wears No. 59.

Luke Hyder has been moved from safety to Z receiver. Hyder originally was a tailback last season but was moved to defense early in the preseason. Hyder, who wore No. 29 last year, now wears No. 9.

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Contact the Writer: 636-0365 or jake.schaller@gazette.com. Check out our Air Force blog at gazetteafasports.freedomblogger.com