BYU Football: Cougar game is a big one for Air Force Falcons

COLORADO SPRINGS — It's safe to say that around the Air Force Academy, Saturday's game against BYU has been circled on the calendar for quite some time.

The Falcons are looking to earn a statement win against the Cougars.

Back in July, during Mountain West Conference football media days, Falcon senior fullback Jared Tew told the Deseret News how significant of a showdown it is.

"We're very excited about that game," said Tew, a Park City native. "They're coming into our house this year and it's the first conference game. We want to let the conference know that we're here to play this year and we're one of the top three teams in this conference. It's a big game for us, to establish where we're going to be this year."

The Cougars have won six consecutive games against Air Force. The Falcons would love nothing more than to halt that losing streak before BYU leaves the MWC for independence next season.

Air Force hasn't beaten BYU since 2003, which means seniors like Tew have never tasted victory against the Cougars.

"BYU has had our number the past few years," Tew said. "As seniors, we don't want to go out without a win over BYU."

In one way, history may be on Air Force's side — the Falcons are 10-1 in MWC openers, dating back to 1999. They are riding a 10-game winning streak in league-openers.

Despite all that is at stake for Air Force, coach Troy Calhoun isn't calling Saturday's game a defining moment for his squad. "The way you find out about a team," he said, "is by playing an entire season."

Last week, the Falcons overwhelmed Northwestern State, 65-21, though they were clinging to a 24-21 halftime edge before erupting for 41 unanswered points in the second half.

Quarterback Tim Jefferson rushed for two touchdowns and passed for two TDs in that game. He also passed for a career-high 179 yards.

"He's a really good athlete. We respect his ability to pass and to throw," said BYU linebacker Brandon Ogletree. "He definitely presents a big challenge and we're going to have to contain him the same way we did Jake Locker last week (against Washington)."

The Falcons lead the nation in rushing with 437 yards and they have not finished lower than 10th in the country in rushing since 1986.