Colorado State University Athletics
Gameday: CSU football at Air Force, Nov. 12
11/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
In-state foes Colorado State and Air Force will face off for the 55th time on Saturday evening, with the Rams looking for their third win in the last four meetings against Air Force, but their first win at Falcon Stadium since 2002.
LINKS: Gameday Guide | Game Notes | Roster | Media Guide | Schedule
Colorado State at Air Force
Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016 | 8:15 p.m. MT
Falcon Stadium | USAFA, Colo.
- TV: ESPNU
- Stream: ESPN3.com / WatchESPN app
- Radio: KARS 102.9 FM / KDCO 1340 AM & 104.7 FM
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Game Notes: CSU football at Air Force, Nov. 12
ABOUT COLORADO STATE
- Under the direction of 2nd-year head coach Mike Bobo, who led CSU to a bowl game in 2015.
- CSU has posted 6 shutouts in a half this season, including a complete-game shutout vs. Fresno State, the Rams’ first since 1997.
- CSU is 33-of-36 when reaching the red zone (15th in NCAA FBS).
- Hasn’t turned the ball over in 3 of the past 4 games.
- Since returning to the starting lineup, QB Nick Stevens is 57-of-83 for 666 yards and 6 touchdown and 0 interceptions.
- WR Michael Gallup is averaging 112.0 yards per game over the past 4 contests, scoring in all 4 games.
- All-America P Hayden Hunt is a 2-time Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week honoree.
- LB Kevin Davis ranks in the top 10 in the Mountain West for tackles per game and sacks.
- RBs Dalyn Dawkins, Izzy Matthews and Marvin Kinsey, Jr. have combined for 1,283 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns.
- CSU’s defense ranks in the top 30 nationally for tackles for loss per game (7.0; 26th) and sacks (2.67; 28th).
- The Rams’ offensive line hasn’t allowed a sack in the past 2 games and ranks 19th in NCAA FBS with 1.33 allowed per game this season.
- 26 players have made their CSU debuts this season, including 8 true freshmen.
ABOUT AIR FORCE
- Led by Troy Calhoun, who has taken AFA to a bowl game in 9 of 10 seasons, including 2016.
- Has won back-to-back games after losing 3 in a row in October. AFA began the season a perfect 4-0 and now sits at 6-3.
- Lost to Hawai`i on Oct. 22 (most-recent home game), snapping a 15-game home win streak.
- Defense ranks 2nd in the Mountain West and top 20 nationally, allowing just 334.9 yards per game and 114.4 rushing yards per game.
- Offense ranks 3rd in the MW, averaging 448.2 yards per game, including 290.7 rushing yards per game (2nd in MW, 5th in FBS). 3 players have at least 392 rushing yards this season, led by Jacobi Owens (611).
- AFA has intercepted 11 passes (22nd in FBS), including 4 apiece by DBs Brodie Hicks and Weston Steelhammer.
- Steelhammer, a Preseason All-MW selection, has 15 career interceptions (T-3rd in AFA history) and leads the Falcons with 53 tackles. He is a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.
- AFA has led time of possession in 7 of 9 games and ranks 20th nationally, controlling the ball for 33:04 per game.
- AFA is averaging 27.14 yards per kickoff return (1st in MW, 5th in FBS), led by Timothy McVey (27.1 average; 1st/15th).
- K Luke Strebel averages 1.67 field goals per game (1st in MW, 14th in FBS).
SERIES NOTES & NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
- CSU is 21-32-1 all-time against Air Force, including 10-16-1 at the Academy.
- The Rams have won two of the last three meetings in the series, out-scoring the Falcons 120-63 during that span.
- CSU is looking for back-to-back wins in the series for the first time since winning three in a row from 2001-03.
- The Rams are looking for their first win at Falcon Stadium since 2002 (31-12).
- In last year’s Homecoming victory, CB Tyree Simmons forced a fumble, intercepted a pass and had five tackles (1.0 tackle for loss).
- QB Nick Stevens completed 23-of-30 passes vs. Air Force in 2015 for three touchdowns and 296 yards (second-most of his career).
- LB Kevin Davis has played in three games vs. Air Force, totaling 16 tackles and 1.0 tackles for loss.
- Hayden Hunt has 11 career punts in three contests vs. the Falcons, averaging 40.1 yards with six landing inside opponents’ 20-yard line.
- RB Dalyn Dawkins had 82 yards from scrimmage in last year’s win over Air Force.
- Former WR Jordon Vaden has six career catches for 110 yards and a touchdown vs. Air Force.
RIVALRY WEEK
Colorado State enters the week looking to post back-to-back wins over Air Force for the first time since 2002-03. The Rams have beaten the Falcons in two of the last three meetings, but haven’t won at the Academy since 2002. On the line is the Ram-Falcon Trophy, which has been awarded annually to the game’s winner since 1980. The trophy is traced back to former CSU ROTC commander Shelly Godkin. A win would also make CSU bowl eligible for the fourth consecutive season, an accomplishment that hasn’t happened since 1999-2003.
NO PROBLEM IN NOVEMBER
When the calendar flips to November, it should be an exciting thing for CSU and its fans. The Rams have had plenty of recent success in the month, including:
- 5 wins in a row during the month of November.
- 9 wins in their last 10 games in the month of November.
- 3 wins in a row on the road in the month of November.
- 6 home wins in a row during the month of November.
ROAD WARRIORS
CSU picked up its first road win of the season at UNLV (10/22). Dating back to the 2013 season, the Rams have won 11 of their last 17 true road contests – its best stretch since the 2001-03 seasons. Prior to the Rams’ current run, they had lost 10 true road games in a row and 21 of 23.
