Wyoming-Air Force Q&A with Brent Briggeman

Follow on Twitter: @BrentBriggeman

Question: The Falcons have had good production from two quarterbacks, but it appears the offense is better when Donald Hammond III is under center. Would you agree with that, and what does Hammond bring to the table?

Answer: Simply from a talent standpoint, Hammond seems to have a stronger, more accurate arm and quicker release than the other two quarterbacks (don't forget, Arion Worthman is still here in addition to Isaiah Sanders). But arm strength is obviously not the most important part of playing quarterback in this offense. I think the biggest difference is that the strength for Sanders and Worthman is their ability to run the ball. For Hammond, the strength seems to be the ability to distribute it in the running game. Perhaps that is a game-plan issue, as Air Force is more apt to run the quarterback with the others; but whatever it is, more people touch the ball with Hammond under center and the offense benefits from that.

Q: Several backs ran the ball well in last week’s win over New Mexico, but is there a go-to guy or is it more of a running back and fullback by committee this season?

A: Cole Fagan has taken a large percentage of the carries at fullback and Kade Remsberg has had by far the most at tailback, but there definitely hasn't been one player rack up the bulk of touches in the offense. Part of this is because of the shifting quarterbacks, and the large number of carries that have gone to the quarterbacks in games with Sanders and Worthman at quarterback. But, for whatever reason, no single running back has been given the opportunity to see a large number of opportunities in a single game and no tailback or fullback has rushed for 100-plus yards in a game this season, which is extremely rare for Air Force.

Q: Air Force’s defensive stats are pretty solid across the board. What has been this unit’s strength and weaknesses this season?

A: The strength has been in taking on running attacks, particularly those that have tried to run right at them. There are some issues defending the edges, and the pass defense still often depends largely on the accuracy of the opposing quarterback. But the big difference between this year and years when the defense has struggled has been curtailing rushing attacks. That's probably somewhat credited to scheme under new defensive coordinator John Rudzinski, but also to a larger, more talented interior defense.

Q: Even though the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy is no longer a possibility, do you get a sense that the team has rallied behind winning out and getting bowl eligible — much like Wyoming has been trying to do?

A: Of course. These guys are very much goal oriented, and they still have a chance to extend the season and play in a bowl game. They are very much aware of that and want that opportunity.

Q: What are some of the key matchups in Saturday’s game, and who wins?

A: Wyoming’s ability to slow the fullback will be very important. New Mexico couldn't do that and Air Force ran all over it. Likewise, Air Force's ability to slow Wyoming's rushing attack is key. Sounds pretty boring, but that's about right for these teams. The team that runs better, particularly between the tackles, likely wins. No clue who that will be.

Cowboys game day

Game: Air Force (4-6 overall, 2-4 Mountain West) at Wyoming (4-6, 2-4)

When: 2 p.m. Saturday

Where: Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium, Laramie

TV: ESPNEWS

Radio: KFBC (1240 AM, 97.5 FM), Cheyenne; KOWB (1290 AM), Laramie

Tickets: gowyo.com; 307-766-7220