"I'm just not proponent of the block ... I don't think it's good for the game, and I think it puts our players at risk," Mendenhall said.

"I'm not saying Air Force is cheating or doing anything unethical, but if I were to have a say in the rules committee or just in general, I don't think the block is necessary. Certainly it is effective and certainly it is difficult to defend, I'm just not a proponent of it."

FALCONS VS. RANKED TEAMS: BYU is the second ranked team Air Force has faced this season. The Falcons lost to then-No. 20 Utah in September. They are 14-61-4 all-time against ranked opponents. Air Force's last victory against a ranked team came in 2002 when it downed No. 23 California, 23-21. The Falcons haven't beaten a ranked team at home since 2000. That year, they defeated No. 20 Colorado State, 44-40.

Cougars on the air

No. 16 BYU (9-1, 5-1)

at Air Force (8-2, 5-1)

Saturday, 1:30 p.m.

Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs

TV: CBS C

Radio: 1160AM, 102.7FM

Live game blog: deseretnews.com/blogs TARGET=_blank>deseretnews.com/blogs

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E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com