Air Force-Colorado State: Jake's Post-Game Musings

* Air Force made two plays of more than 30 yards on Saturday against Colorado State—as many as it had made in its previous seven games against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents.

While Air Force is a grind-it-out squad, it never hurts to pick up some big chunks of yardage.

“There are times you’ve got to grind and make three and four yards on carries, but you just don’t only have to wear your mudder or your plodder shoes,” Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said. “You can wear your other shoes too, where you get up on your toes and go a little bit.”

* Sophomore kicker Erik Soderberg has made seven field goals in a row and continues to be a pleasant surprise for the Falcons.

Against Colorado State, Soderberg drilled a career-long 50-yard field goal as time expired in the first half, giving the Falcons a 17-10 advantage at the break after the Rams had scored 10 straight points.

“It was a good hit,” Calhoun said. “It was a big play, to send you into the half when you’re up by seven and you’re receiving the kickoff in the second half.”

Soderberg also nailed a 30-yarder, but he missed an extra point for the first time this season.

* Part of the reason Air Force looked better and was able to pick up 382 yards was because players were making things happen with the ball in their hands.

There was Jared Tew, breaking out of arm tackles. There was Asher Clark, making a spin move to avoid a defender. There was Jonathan Warzeka, beating defenders to the edge.

“I think we probably broke some tackles today, which we haven’t done a lot of,” Calhoun said. “I think by and large, you look here over about the last month or so, we’ve basically gained yards that were there and that’s it. And what we’ve got to do, we’ve got to have guys that gain more than what’s there.”

Saturday, they did.