Falcons need to run table

Utah isn't the only team seeking a "November to remember." Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry has similar thoughts entering Saturday's game at Falcon Field.

"Obviously we're getting into the heart of November now, and November is when people remember," DeBerry said. "I think you have to play your best football down the stretch if you expect to be into anything."

Both the Utes (6-4) and Falcons (4-5) are in dire need of victories when it comes to securing bowl invitations. Conventional wisdom says teams with seven victories are pretty much assured of bids this season.

To reach the standard, Air Force needs to run the table and finish the season with wins over Utah, UNLV and TCU.

A tough but not impossible task considering how the Falcons opened the season — with a 31-30 loss at nationally ranked Tennessee and back-to-back Mountain West Conference wins over Wyoming and New Mexico.

"Going to a bowl game is important to any program," said DeBerry, whose squad is coming off a 39-17 setback at home to powerful Notre Dame.

Though the score doesn't indicate it, Air Force did a lot of good things against the Irish.

The Falcons racked up 405 yards of total offense and 24 first downs. They converted on nine third-down situations and held the ball for almost 39 minutes.

"It was frustrating because we were moving the ball very successful," quarterback Shaun Carney told reporters after the game. "We just didn't capitalize on our opportunities. It was frustrating to come off the field without (many) points."

Carney finished the game with some impressive passing numbers in the option-oriented scheme. He completed 14 of his 17 throws for 205 yards and two touchdowns.

Two other juniors also had solid outings. Running back Chad Hall rushed for 67 yards and Mark Root caught five passes for 110 yards.

"What we've got to do defensively is be assignment-sound, be disciplined, like every year, to try to get that triple option attack slowed down," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "You never completely stop it. Against Notre Dame, even though they lost by quite a margin, they still outgained Notre Dame."

The loss, however, has backed Air Force into a corner. The Falcons are now pretty much in a "must win" situation, and Whittingham is expecting their "A" game Saturday.

"They're 4-5 overall and still fighting for a bowl bid. That will be their motivating factor," he said. "They're still just a two-loss team in the conference, also. So, like ourselves, they still have at least a mathematical shot to stay in that conference race."

---

Utes on the air

Utah (6-4, 4-2) at Air Force (4-5, 3-2)

Saturday, 5:30 p.m.

Falcon Stadium

TV: The mtn.

Radio: 700AM

---

E-mail: dirk@desnews.com