History and Tradition of Air Force Academy Football Program

Introduction to Air Force Football

Air Force football has a long and storied history going back over 60 years. As one of the three service academies in NCAA Division I FBS football, the Air Force Falcons have competed at the highest level of college football for decades. Their program has produced numerous professional players, conference championships, and bowl appearances. Let's take a closer look at the history, traditions, rivalries, and outlook for this prestigious football program.

History of Air Force Football

The Air Force Academy was established in 1955 near Colorado Springs, Colorado. The school played its first intercollegiate football game in 1956 under head coach Buck Shaw. In that inaugural season, the Falcons went winless at 0-9-1. However, it didn't take long for Air Force to field competitive teams.

In 1958, the Falcons went 8-2 in the regular season and secured their first bowl bid to the Cotton Bowl Classic. The next season, Air Force won the Mountain States Conference with a 9-0-1 record. The Falcons went on to defeat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl to finish the year ranked #10 in the nation.

Throughout the 1960s under coach Ben Martin, Air Force emerged as a major football power. The Falcons won or shared eight conference championships from 1960 to 1968. Notable players included quarterback Terry Isaacson, who finished 4th in Heisman Trophy voting in 1964, and defensive lineman Brock Strom who was an All-American in 1968.

Recent History

After some down years in the 1970s and 1980s, Air Force has enjoyed a resurgence over the last three decades. Under current head coach Troy Calhoun, the Falcons have won 10 games or more in six seasons since 2007. They have claimed an outright Mountain West Conference championship and played in multiple prestigious bowl games.

Air Force runs a triple option offense focused on downhill running and limited passing. This system is difficult for opponents to prepare for and allows the Falcons to compete against more talented teams. On defense, Air Force typically runs a base 3-4 scheme to counter the prolific passing attacks in college football.

Some standout players for the Falcons in recent years include quarterback Tim Jefferson, linebacker Jordan Waiwaiole, and receiver Geraud Sanders. Air Force continues to recruit and develop solid talent despite the military service commitment required of all cadets.

Home Stadium

Air Force plays their home games at Falcon Stadium located on the grounds of the Air Force Academy. Opened in 1962, it has a current seating capacity of around 47,000 fans. The views of the surrounding Rocky Mountains make for one of the most scenic settings in college football.

Falcon Stadium sits at an elevation of 7,258 feet above sea level, making it the highest Division I FBS stadium in the country. This extreme altitude provides a real home field advantage by tiring out the visiting team. It also impacts the football significantly, causing it to travel farther in the thin air.

Primary Rivals

As part of the Mountain West Conference, Air Force has developed spirited rivalries with two opponents in particular - Army and Navy. The three schools comprise the Service Academy Classic, battling every year for the coveted Commander-in-Chief's Trophy.

The Army-Navy Game gets most of the national attention, but Air Force has more than held their own in the round-robin competition. Since 1972, the Falcons have won the trophy outright 20 times compared to 16 for Navy and 9 for Army.

Within their conference, the Falcons also have a heated rivalry with Colorado State. These two schools have battled since 1957, with Air Force holding a commanding series lead of 33-21-1. The winner gets the Ram-Falcon Trophy, keeping pride in the state of Colorado.

Bowl Game History

Air Force has played in 22 different bowl games over their history. Their first came in the 1958 Cotton Bowl Classic, while the most recent was the Arizona Bowl in 2016. In total, the Falcons have a bowl record of 12-13-1.

Some of their most notable bowl victories came over Ohio State in the 1990 Liberty Bowl, Texas Tech in the 1995 Copper Bowl, and Fresno State in the 2007 Armed Forces Bowl. Air Force also made back-to-back appearances in the 1984 Independence Bowl and 1985 Bluebonnet Bowl.

With their disciplined style of play focusing on controlling possession and limiting mistakes, the Falcons tend to keep bowl games close. But they don't always have the offensive firepower to come out on top.

Outlook for the Future

Under head coach Troy Calhoun, Air Force has been a model of stability and competitiveness. Even with the challenges of recruiting and tough academic standards, the Falcons have continued churning out solid football teams. They compete admirably within the Mountain West Conference and nearly always reach a bowl game.

With Army and Navy experiencing resurgences of their own, the battle for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy has gotten even more intense. Don't be surprised if Air Force brings it back to Colorado Springs in the next couple seasons.

The future remains bright for Air Force football. Expect them to maintain their physically imposing triple option offense and swarming defense. The Falcons have carved out their niche in college football and have no plans to change the formula that has brought them so much success.

FAQs

What conference does Air Force football play in?

Air Force is a member of the Mountain West Conference for football.

How many times has Air Force won the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy?

As of 2022, Air Force has won the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy 23 times, more than Army or Navy.

What is Air Force's main football rivalry?

The Falcons have a big in-state rivalry with Colorado State referred to as the Ram-Falcon Trophy.

What is Air Force's football stadium called?

Air Force plays their home games at Falcon Stadium located at the Air Force Academy.

What is unique about Falcon Stadium?

At an elevation of 7,258 feet, Falcon Stadium is the highest stadium in NCAA Division I football.