Air Force opens the season by welcoming FCS opponent Duquesne to Falcon Stadium on Saturday as the academy celebrates Parents Weekend.
Air Force (0-0) vs. Duquesne (0-0)
Kickoff: 11 a.m. Saturday at Falcon Stadium
TV/Stream: MW+ (this is the Mountain West’s new direct-to-consumer streaming service that can be purchased at annual or monthly rates online or through app stores)
Broadcast crew: Josh Howe (play-by-play), Ryan Kaufman (analyst)
Radio: KVOR AM 740 in Colorado Springs, SIRIUS 267 (APP 976)
Air Force broadcast crew: Jim Arthur (play-by-play), Jesse Kurtz (analyst)
WHAT I’LL BE WATCHING
The Gazette’s Brent Briggeman breaks down three specific areas he’ll be monitoring during the game.
Air Force’s lineup
The depth chart issued Monday gave us a preliminary glimpse at the results of multiple offseason position battles, but the initial crew that runs on the field will mark the official determination. The only position still undetermined was placekicker, as junior Jacob Medina and sophomore Carter Cremascoli were each listed in bold this week. Will the defensive line indeed see Andrew Tillet and Chas Barnett as the starters? Will Jon Ashford and Nathan Elwood open as reserves on the offensive line? We’ll have all the answers — as they stand at this point — within the opening minutes.
Air Force vs. the pass
Duquesne features a run-heavy attack and uses that to get to its passing game. At least that’s what it has done in the past, and now it brings in veteran transfer quarterback Carson Camp, who was once the first true freshman to start a season-opener for South Dakota way back in the spring of 2021 (the season was pushed back by COVID). Air Force figures to match up favorably against the run, but Camp’s ability to capitalize in the passing game if the Falcons oversell against the ground game could make things interesting.
The next wave
Duquesne is a respected team at the FCS level, features a coach entering his 22nd year and is picked to finish second in its conference. Still, history shows these games have not been particularly close. Air Force is 29-0 vs. FCS teams, with an average margin of victory of 33 in the 19 openers under coach Troy Calhoun. Duquesne has one win vs. an FBS team, but the other 12 attempts resulted in losses that came by an average of 38 points. In all likelihood, this will present an opportunity for Air Force to get a look at multiple players. Considering even many of the starters on offense — WR Jonah Dawson, WR Matt Long, TB Rocco Conti, TE Simon Kibbee in particular — have little experience, the players behind them present even bigger unknowns. For some, this could be a chance to make themselves known.
BY THE NUMBERS
3
First-time opponents for Air Force this season — Duquesne and new Mountain West members North Dakota State and Northern Illinois.
4
Years since Duquesne, from Pittsburgh, has played a game outside the Eastern time zone (2022 at Hawaii).
11
Projected starters for Air Force (among the 22 positions on offense and defense) who will be making their first or second college start.
135
Victories for Duquesne coach Jerry Schmitt, making him the winningest active head coach at his program at the FCS level.
385
Career games for 2025 Duquesne offensive and defensive linemen who have since graduated or transferred elsewhere.