BYU football: Admiration flows between Cougars, Falcons

PROVO — When BYU and Air Force meet on the football field, it's a showdown between two schools that have some things in common.

One is a private, religious institution and the other is a military institution, and, as such, students at both schools are required to adhere to a strict honor code. Therefore, there are limitations on the kind of athletes both programs can recruit.

"Of all the teams, us and Air Force are probably the most similar as far as the type of guys we have," said Cougar quarterback Max Hall.

BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall expressed respect for the Falcons, and what they represent, this week.

"It's always one of our favorite games of the year, not only because of the uniqueness of schemes that Air Force plays with, but who they play with. I have a lot of admiration for their players and what their institution is about and the quality of the coaching. It's one of the highlights every year."

Falcon coach Troy Calhoun praised the No. 19 Cougars, too. "We get a chance to play against a very good football team, a tradition-rich program in a heckuva environment when we go to Provo," he said.

Meanwhile, there's an undercurrent of an intense rivalry between the two programs.

BYU has won five consecutive games over Air Force, which has been a source of frustration for the Falcons. Should Air Force upset the Cougars on Saturday (1:30 p.m., CBS-C), it would be a major victory for the program.

On the other hand, BYU players say they are frustrated with the Falcons' style of play, such as when a defender hit Cougar tight end Dennis Pitta low after he made a catch last season in BYU's 38-24 victory in Colorado Springs. As a result, Pitta suffered a torn MCL in his knee and was severely limited the following week at Utah.

"Sometimes, Air Force can hit you a little and do a few things," said Hall. "I thought they had kind of a cheap hit on Dennis last year."

For his part, Pitta said Tuesday after practice that "it was a clean play," and that he has no hard feelings about it.

Cougar defensive lineman Jan Jorgensen said he doesn't like facing the Falcons because of their long-standing tactic of cut blocking, or blocking below the waist, which is legal.

"My shins get all bruised and beat up," Jorgensen said. "It's dangerous to play against those things, to be honest. It's an intense game, but I'd rather not deal with all of the cut blocks they throw at us."