Austin Hayes remembers the play vividly. The 6-2, 245-pound center, now entering his senior season, was blocking near the New Mexico goal line.
“It happened near the goal,” he recalled. “We were pulling the guard on the play. I was running to block the backside linebacker. When I planted to make the block, our backside tackle hit my knee. It was just extremely unfortunate. I heard the pop, but didn’t realize how badly it was injured. I just thought it was a dislocated knee.”
The injury was worse, requiring surgery. But, Hayes only missed five games, and played in the Armed Forces Bowl, which the Cadets lost to Air Force.
“It helped a lot to play in the bowl game,” Hayes said. “That experience helps me not worry about playing to start the season. I should be full speed and ready to go.”
Offensive Line Understands the Pressure
Air Force returns only two starters on offense but the unit is learning a new scheme up front so that levels the playing field. Two of those starters are seniors Austin Hayes (center) and Drew Kerber (right guard). Another senior, Michael Husar, started one game in 2012 and has valuable playing experience. The linemen understand the responsibility they will have for the team’s offensive success.
“There is a lot of pressure on our offensive line,” said Husar, a 6-0, 270-pound Chicago native. “But, it’s a good kind of pressure. Every year we’re a Top 10 team nationally in rushing offense. It’s important that we keep that tradition. We know that a lot of that falls on the offensive line and we’ll be ready for the challenge.”
Who Made That Schedule!
You’ll have to pardon Air Force fans … and players and coaches for that matter … for referring to the calendar often when making plans for the Cadets’ games this season. Seldom has there been a lineup like this one.
Air Force plays two Thursday night games (San Diego State, UNLV), two Friday night games (at Boise State, at New Mexico), four Saturday night games and has non-conference games with Navy (in Annapolis) and Notre Dame (Colorado Springs).
“We play what the conference sets up,” said head coach Troy Calhoun. “They determine the schedule and the bowl games. We’ll just play football and make the most of it.
“This schedule will be a huge challenge. Thursday and Friday games change how you prepare. What you do on Sundays is different. You may practice more into the week. And, it’s tougher for us at Air Force anyway. We can only see our players in the afternoon and evening due to morning classes and military duties. We just have one 90-minute block to practice.”
Air Force has done pretty well adjusting to the schedule challenges over the years. The Cadets have a 96-76 overall record since joining the Mountain West in 1999, including a 56-29 mark at home.
Air Force Recruiting Unique in the Mountain West
Air Force Academy football does its best to be just like the other guys in the Mountain West conference. But, some things will never be the same.
Take recruiting, for instance.
The Cadets signed 50 players in the spring signing period, double the number signed by most college teams. But, the military academies aren’t governed by the same restrictions as other programs, and many of those signed in February will play for the junior varsity squad.
“We do have a recruiting challenge,” head coach Troy Calhoun acknowledged. “We only have a total of 1,000 freshmen entering the academy each year. It takes a really special person to come here, especially to play football. They have basic training, no redshirt years, have to wear a uniform every day, and then serve on active duty. Young men who choose the Air Force Academy are special people.”
