The 2023 Air Force Falcons football team represented the United States Air Force Academy as a member of the Mountain West Conference (MW) during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by 17th-year head coach Troy Calhoun, the Falcons compiled an overall record of 9–4 with a mark of 5–3 in conference play, tying for fourth place in the MW. Air Force was invited to the Armed Forces Bowl, where the Falcons defeated James Madison. The team played home games at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
The Air Force Falcons drew an average home attendance of 29,616 in 2023.
Schedule
Rankings
Preseason Mountain West media poll The 2023 Mountain West preseason media poll was released on July 19. The Falcons were predicted to finish second in the conference.
Game summaries vs Robert Morris
Statistics RMU AF First downs 9 24 3rd down efficiency 3–11 6–10 4th down efficiency 0–1 1–3 Plays–yards 50–156 59–469 Rushes–yards 26–43 56–374 Passing yards 113 95 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 18–24–0 2–3–0 Penalties–yards 9–61 2–10 Turnovers 2 1 Time of possession 27:49 32:11
vs Sam Houston
Statistics AF SAM First downs 18 6 3rd down efficiency 5–13 3–13 4th down efficiency 0–1 1–1 Plays–yards 62–258 44–80 Rushes–yards 59–244 30–36 Passing yards 14 44 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 1–3–0 8–14–0 Penalties–yards 2–20 2–25 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 36:38 23:22
vs Utah State
Statistics USU AF First downs 20 24 3rd down efficiency 3–11 9–13 4th down efficiency 2–3 1–1 Plays–yards 61–302 68–428 Rushes–yards 26–54 64–344 Passing yards 248 84 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 20–35–1 3–4–0 Penalties–yards 4–17 6–60 Turnovers 2 0 Time of possession 21:20 38:40
at San Jose State
Statistics AF SJS First downs 25 18 3rd down efficiency 10–15 3–8 4th down efficiency 3–3 0–2 Plays–yards 75–428 52–354 Rushes–yards 73–400 17–115 Passing yards 28 239 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 2–2–0 24–35–1 Penalties–yards 4–43 6–48 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 39:05 20:55
vs San Diego State
Statistics SDSU AF First downs 14 24 3rd down efficiency 4–13 4–8 4th down efficiency 3–4 2–2 Plays–yards 55–227 59–476 Rushes–yards 30–105 52–287 Passing yards 122 189 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 13–25–1 6–7–0 Penalties–yards 5–34 1–5 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 27:55 32:05
vs Wyoming
Statistics WYO AF First downs 18 22 3rd down efficiency 9–15 7–10 4th down efficiency 1–2 1–1 Plays–yards 60–321 62–414 Rushes–yards 35–109 53–356 Passing yards 212 58 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 15–25–0 6–9–0 Penalties–yards 3–25 1–9 Turnovers 0 2 Time of possession 30:13 29:49
at Navy
Statistics AF NAV First downs 8 10 3rd down efficiency 1–13 3–17 4th down efficiency 2–2 2–2 Plays–yards 53–288 64–124 Rushes–yards 48–137 35–22 Passing yards 151 102 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 4–5–0 15–29–2 Penalties–yards 5–30 4–50 Turnovers 1 2 Time of possession 31:44 28:16 For the game against Navy, Air Force commemorated the Doolittle Raiders with the 2023 edition of the Air Power Legacy Series uniforms.
The Doolittle Raiders were the 80 crew members of 16 B-25B Mitchell bombers who launched the first raid on mainland Japan during World War II on April 18, 1942, led by United States Army Air Force Lt. Col. James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle.
The uniform featured a chrome helmet with an image of a B-25 aircraft on the right side, while the left bore the Raiders squadron patch designed by the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Association. The jersey featured letters and numbers resembling the riveted aluminum used in the B-25's construction. The left sleeve featured another Raiders squadron patch. The pants featured the roundel logo on the left front, which includes the roundel that appeared on the aircraft. The Raiders mantra, "Ever into Peril", appeared down the right side of the pants, while the French translation "Toujours au Danger" is on the left leg.
at Colorado State
Statistics AF CSU First downs 18 17 3rd down efficiency 8–15 5–13 4th down efficiency 1–1 0–3 Plays–yards 64–293 64–339 Rushes–yards 57–261 19–42 Passing yards 32 297 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 4–7–0 28–45–0 Penalties–yards 2–15 5–54 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 35:58 24:02
vs Army
Statistics ARMY AF First downs 11 19 3rd down efficiency 4–14 5–14 4th down efficiency 1–2 0–2 Plays–yards 60–253 64–259 Rushes–yards 51–213 40–155 Passing yards 40 104 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 4–9–0 10–24–2 Penalties–yards 11–119 6–55 Turnovers 0 6 Time of possession 32:09 27:51
at Hawaii
Statistics AF HAW First downs 17 18 3rd down efficiency 7–14 8–13 4th down efficiency 1–1 0–0 Plays–yards 56–315 58–297 Rushes–yards 47–201 29–121 Passing yards 114 176 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 3–9–3 22–29–0 Penalties–yards 3–25 5–56 Turnovers 4 0 Time of possession 29:26 30:34
vs. UNLV
Statistics UNLV AF First downs 15 22 3rd down efficiency 3–13 3–14 4th down efficiency 1–1 1–2 Plays–yards 63–465 71–404 Rushes–yards 33–114 62–344 Passing yards 351 60 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 16–30–2 3–9–0 Penalties–yards 10–120 4–30 Turnovers 2 1 Time of possession 26:26 33:34
Personnel Coaching staff 2023 Air Force Football Coaching Staff Name Position Season College Troy Calhoun Head coach 17th Air Force (1989) Marc Bacote Tight Ends 2nd James Madison (2000) Jake Campbell Slot Backs 12th Air Force (1996) Tim Horton Running Backs, Special Teams Coordinator 3rd Arkansas (1989) Charlie Jackson Asst. head coach/defensive backs coach 2nd Air Force (2000) Brian Knorr Defensive Coordinator 1st Air Force (1986) Ken Lamendola Inside Linebackers 2nd Air Force (2011) Steed Lobotzke Offensive Line 9th Air Force (1992) Matt McGettigan Director of Speed - Strength & Conditioning 17th Luther College (1987) Alex Means Defensive Line 2nd Air Force (2013) Brett Skene Specialists/Assistant Offensive Line 2nd Air Force (2011) Taylor Stubblefield Wide Receivers Coach 1st Purdue (2005) Mike Thiessen Off. Coordinator, Quarterbacks 17th Air Force (2001) Nick Toth Safeties 2nd Ohio (1999) E.J. Whitlow Defensive Ends 2nd Findlay (2010) Kale Pearson Director of Recruiting 2nd Air Force (2015) Chuck Petersen Football Executive/Assistant Recruiting Director 1st Air Force (1985) Anthony Wright Defensive Assistant 2nd Air Force (2012)
Roster
(Please note that the Air Force football team rarely lists freshman players on their official roster)
2023 Air Force Falcons Football RosterQuarterback 5 – Jensen Jones, Senior (6'2, 215) 9 – Zac Larrier, Senior (6'0, 195) 12 – John Busha, Sophomore (6'2, 205) 15 – Ben Brittain, Senior (6'1, 190) 17 – Cannon Turner, Senior (6'0, 215)
Running back 8 – Christopher Frew, Sophomore (5'9, 190) 10 – Jalen Johnson, Senior (5'8, 185) 20 – Dylan Carson, Sophomore (6'0, 210) 24 – John Lee Eldridge III, Senior (5'9, 200) 25 – Tylor Latham, Sophomore (5'8, 180) 26 – Owen Burk, Senior (5'11, 200) 27 – Kaden Cloud, Sophomore (5'9, 185) 28 – Aiden Calvert, Junior (5'10, 205) 30 – Kale Gibbs, Junior (5'8, 175) 33 – Jet Harris, Senior (6'1, 225) 34 – Darius Stone, Sophomore (5'11, 205)
Wide receiver 2 – Brandon Engel, Junior (6'2, 210) 6 – Cameron Breier, Junior (6'2, 195) 11 – Wyatt Wilson, Senior (6'3, 195) 13 – Jared Roznos, Junior (6'0, 190) 16 – Dylan Evans, Sophomore (5'11, 185) 18 – Kendin Alexander, Junior (5'10, 165) 21 – Cade Harris, Junior (5'8, 180) 23 – Dane Kinamon, Senior (6'0, 205) 29 – Evan Rau, Sophomore (5'9, 170) 32 – Jordan Scarbrough, Sophomore (5'8, 185) 80 – Tre Roberson, Sophomore (6'2, 205) 87 – Quin Smith, Sophomore (6'1, 190) 89 – Parker St. John, Junior (6'2, 190)
Tight end 81 – James Bryant, Senior (6'4, 230) 82 – Connor McIntee, Senior (6'3, 235) 83 – Chances Carter-Hill, Sophomore (6'2, 230) 84 – Caleb Rillos, Senior (6'5, 255) 85 – Parker Menefee, Sophomore (6'6, 240) 88 – Bruin Fleischmann, Sophomore (6'3, 220)
Specialist
43 – Matthew Dapore, Junior (6'0, 195) 95 – Carson Bay, Junior (5'11, 165) 96 – Reagan Tubbs, Sophomore (6'0, 175) 97 – Luke Freer, Sophomore (6'4, 220) Fullback 4 – Emmanuel Michel, Senior (5'10, 210)
Offensive Lineman 51 – Kaleb Holcomb, Senior (6'4, 270) 53 – Steven Iles, Senior (6'2, 285) 54 – Jackson Kohal, Junior (6'4, 305) 55 – Nick Blessing, Sophomore (6'4, 250) 56 – Mark Hiestand, Senior (6'5, 285) 57 – Gabriel Averitt, Sophomore (6'3, 270) 59 – Adam Karas, Senior (6'4, 285) 60 – John Gordon Jr., Junior (6'2, 205) 61 – Costen Cooley, Sophomore (6'4, 279) 62 – Matthew Heitmann, Junior (6'4, 290) 64 – Luke Hallstrom, Senior (6'2, 270) 65 – Samuel Floysand, Sophomore (6'3, 275) 66 – Jace Sutulovich, Sophomore (6'3, 285) 68 – Thor Paglialong, Senior (6'4, 300) 69 – Wesley Ndago, Senior (6'2, 300) 71 – Michael McAninch, Junior (6'3, 300) 72 – Christien Hawks, Sophomore (6'3, 290) 73 – Luke Vonderhaar, Sophomore (6'4, 270) 74 – Mason Carlan, Senior (6'3, 290) 75 – Ethan Jackman, Senior (6'4, 310) 76 – Alex Moore, Junior (6'3, 270) 77 – Cameron Collins, Sophomore (6'3, 260) 78 – Trevor Tate, Sophomore (6'2, 270)
Defensive Lineman 8 – Bo Richter, Senior (6'2, 250) 13 – PJ Ramsey, Senior (6'2, 260) 48 – Jayden Thiergood, Senior (6'3, 250) 55 – Kupono Blake, Senior (6'2, 270) 57 – Colin Stewart, Sophomore (6'2, 240) 62 – James Tomasi, Junior (6'0, 310) 87 – Caden Blum, Senior (6'5, 265) 90 – Brian Bradley, Sophomore (6'2, 230) 92 – Jackson Garrett, Sophomore (6'3, 270) 93 – Andrew BoisD'Enghien, Senior (6'3, 280) 94 – Kaleb Tompkins, Junior (6'4, 260) 95 – Daniel Grobe, Sophomore (6'7, 270) 96 – Payton Zdroik, Junior (6'0, 275) 97 – Brent Winfree, Sophomore (6'4, 275) 99 – Aidan Swartz, Sophomore (6'4, 270) Linebacker 6 – Matthew Malloy, Senior (6'3, 215) 18 – Elijah Sanders, Junior (6'3, 240) 24 – Robert Mbroh, Junior (6'3, 220) 27 – Julian Williams, Junior (6'2, 230) 35 – Jack Curtis, Sophomore (6'5, 245) 32 – Osaro Aihie, Junior (6'1, 225) 38 – Ty Hubert, Sophomore (5'11, 200) 40 – Alec Mock, Senior (6'3, 240) 41 – Jackson Adams, Sophomore (6'4, 240) 44 – Johnathan Youngblood, Senior (5'11, 225) 45 – Matt Devine, Junior (6'0, 225) 46 – Zach Juckel, Sophomore (6'2, 210) 47 – Kyler Orr, Sophomore (6'1, 210) 50 – Grant Uyl, Junior (5'11, 225) 51 – Victor Dubuclet, Sophomore (6'0, 210) 52 – Matthew Reddick, Sophomore (6'2, 230) 54 – Are'an Burr, Sophomore (6'3, 220) 56 – Cole Palmer, Junior (6'4, 235)
Defensive back 0 – Trey Williams, Junior (5'10, 175) 3 – Jamari Bellamy, Junior (6'2, 185) 5 – Corey Collins, Senior (5'11, 185) 7 – Trey Taylor, Senior (6'0, 210) 9 – Levi Brown, Sophomore (6'1, 175) 10 – Jalen Mergerson, Senior (5'11, 210) 11 – Camby Goff, Senior (6'1, 215) 12 – Patrick Dahlen, Senior (6'3, 210) 14 – K.C. Beard, Junior (6'1, 200) 15 – Jake Martin, Junior (6'2, 200) 16 – Jayden Goodwin, Senior (6'1, 195) 17 – Zion Kelly, Senior (5'10, 190) 19 – C.J. Boyd, Junior (6'1, 200) 20 – Jake Smith, Senior (6'1, 210) 21 – Aidan Plate, Junior (6'2, 200) 22 – Jerome Gaillard Jr., Junior (6'4, 200) 28 – Terrance Cullivan, Sophomore (5'10, 185) 30 – Tyme Collins, Junior (6'0, 210) 42 – Jakobi McGowan, Junior (6'1, 205)
Long snapper 41 – J. Frank Melgarejo III, Senior (6'0, 225) 48 – Anthony DeBerardino, Junior (6'1, 210) 49 – Kurt Chesney, Sophomore (6'0, 195)
References