Air Force running back Tylor Latham (25) carries the ball against New Mexico on Oct. 12, 2024. (U.S. Air Force Academy)
(Tribune News Service) — Air Force’s extremes in the passing game were on display over the past two weeks.
Against Oregon State, the Falcons connected on all six pass attempts for 139 yards. Then, at Nevada, Air Force went 0-for-3 passing with an interception — becoming the lone FBS team this year to win a game without completing a pass.
“Arguably the most DIESEL stat in football!,” offensive line coach Steed Lobotzke said on X in response to the victory without a passing yard, using the “Diesel” name that collectively refers to the line.
Added offensive linemen Alex Moore, “When you see that zero passing yards but you see over 300 rushing yards, you feel pretty good, that’s a good sense of pride right there.”
The ups, and maybe more the downs, of the passing game have been a definitive aspect of this season for the Falcons.
With a collective 97.7 quarterback ranking, the Falcons (4-7, 2-4 Mountain West) are on pace for the lowest the program has seen since finishing at 75.7 in 1993 behind quarterbacks Demond Cash, Scott Teigen and Preston McConnell in a 4-8 season.
For perspective, the team has had a 100+ passing rating every year since 2001, with the past four full seasons averaging 164.5.
An important note is that quarterback Quentin Hayes, who took over as the starter in mid-October, has a 139.1 efficiency rating. Hayes is 24-of-42 passing with 379 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
John Busha, who leads the team in passing yards and attempts, has a 72.4 rating on 29-of-79 passing with 415 yards, one touchdown and five interceptions.
Air Force has long prioritized running the ball, and it isn’t totally out of character for it to complete no passes. It has happened nine times in program history, including in victories over UNLV in 2021 and Colorado State in 2022. If they can run their way to victory without the inherent risks that come with passing, they’ll do it, even if it takes some getting used to for the receivers.
“If you asked me two years ago, I would say it sits terrible but if you ask our position coach he would say we have the most fun on the field,” senior receiver Jared Roznos said. “What we are doing at the base of our offense is going to block and hit people. Getting in the DB’s head. That is a source of pride. We have fun with it in the film room.”
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