Falcons rally in 2nd half, overcome Demons

Senior running back Jared Tew strongarms Northwestern State linebacker Yaser Elqutub in the Falcons' season opener against the Demons at Falcon Stadium Sept. 4, 2010. Air Force defeated the Demons, 65-21. Tew, a native of Park City, Utah, had 13 rushes for 65 yards. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Falcons rally in 2nd half, overcome Demons

The Bird helps referees by signaling a holding call during Air Force's home opener against Northwestern State at Falcon Stadium Sept. 4, 2010. The Bird is the official Air Force mascot and is one of 16 mascots competing for the 2010 National Mascot of the Year award from Capital One. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Falcons rally in 2nd half, overcome Demons

Sophomore linebacker Austin Niklas pressures Northwestern State quarterback Paul Harris during the Falcons' season opener against NSU at Falcon Stadium Sept. 4, 2010. The Falcons scored six touchdowns in the second half to defeat the Demons, 65-21. Niklas is a native of Fullerton, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jessi Dalton)

Cadet's show promise during women's volleyball tournament

Air Force's Kelly Spencer bumps the ball during play against Boise State University Aug. 27, 2010, at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Falcons fell to Boise State 1-3 with scores of 23-25, 18-25, 26-24, and 25-18. (U.S. Air Force photo/J. Rachel Spencer)

Young fans hit Falcon Stadium for Kids' Day

Cadet 3rd Class Kinder McCullough (foreground) signs a young Falcons fan's forearm during Kids' Day at Falcon Stadium Aug. 21, 2010. Cadet McCullough is assigned to Cadet Squadron 15. Also pictured (left to right) are Cadets 1st Class Stephanie Martin from CS 18, Kaitlin Bibeau from CS 24 and Jessica White from CS 38. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Don Branum)

Young fans hit Falcon Stadium for Kids' Day

Eli Parris peeks out from under a Falcons wig during Kids' Day at Falcon Stadium Aug. 21, 2010. Eli, 2½, is the son of Maj. Jennifer Parris, who is assigned to the Dean of Faculty Protocol Office. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Don Branum)

Young fans hit Falcon Stadium for Kids' Day

Cadet 1st Class Samantha Stibeck signs a t-shirt for a young Falcons fan during Kids' Day at Falcon Stadium Aug. 21, 2010. Cadet Stibeck, a native of Somerville, N.J., is assigned to Cadet Squadron 23. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Don Branum)

Young fans hit Falcon Stadium for Kids' Day

Cadets with the Air Force Academy's dance and cheerleading teams perform for the crowd during Kids' Day at Falcon Stadium Aug. 21, 2010. The Falcons will play all 12 games of their regular season in 75 days, starting with two home games against Northwestern State Sept. 4 and BYU Sept. 11. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Don Branum)

Young fans hit Falcon Stadium for Kids' Day

Skyler Gilliam hangs out with the Bird during Kids' Day at Falcon Stadium Aug. 21, 2010. Skyler, age 8, is the son of Falcons fan Kyle Gilliam. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Don Branum)

Young fans hit Falcon Stadium for Kids' Day

The Bird poses for a photo with eight-year-old Falcons fans Skyler Gilliam (second from left) and Evan Schwarzbart (second from right) during Kids' Day at Falcon Stadium Aug. 21, 2010. This year's event featured a scrimmage and a performance by the Falcons cheerleaders and dance team. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Don Branum)

Hoop Dreams

Capt. Antoine Hood, 919th Special Operations Wing, had a celebrated college basketball career at the Air Force Academy from 2002-2006, but has yet to realize his dream of playing in the NBA. With his active-duty commitment now complete, the reservist says he’s ready to take the next step and make that dream a reality. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

Retirees claim base softball championship

Ken Zito, foreground, and Steve Hudson round the bases during the Retirees' softball championship match against the Med Group Aug. 11, 2010. The Retirees carried the day, 29-19, to win their second championship in three years. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)

Flyers win state softball championships

Johnny Davis, right, high-fives Bryan Kinder during the Colorado varsity softball championships in Loveland, Colo., Aug. 7, 2010. The two are part of the 16-person Flyers team, which won the state championship. (U.S. Air Force photo/Wade Dolbow)

Flyers win state softball championships

Bryan Kinder hits for the Air Force Academy Flyers during the Colorado varsity softball championships in Loveland, Colo., Aug. 7, 2010. The Flyers defeated the unbeaten Widefield "Feelin' Philly" team in two straight games to win the state varsity softball championship. (U.S. Air Force photo/Wade Dolbow)

Academy holds annual half-marathon, 10k

Alan Acosta runs along a section of the New Santa Fe Regional Trail during the Air Force Academy's annual half-marathon Aug. 14, 2010. Acosta finished third in the men's 29-and-under race bracket with a time of 1:48:29. Pictured behind Acosta are Peter Wenker, who finished in 1:48:55, and Scott Carnine, who finished in 1:49:05. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Academy holds annual half-marathon, 10k

Caitlin Lynch and Stephen Karimi approach the finish line at the Air Force Academy's annual half-marathon Aug. 14, 2010. Lynch finished in 1:31:22 to win the women's 29-and-under bracket. Karimi finished third in the men's 30-39 bracket with 1:31:25. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Air Force warms up for 2010 season

Falcons defensive linemen Zach Payne and Rick Ricketts go head-to-head during practice at the Air Force Academy Athletic Fields Aug. 3. Payne, a second-class cadet, is a native of Hoover, Ala. Ricketts is a first-class cadet and native of San Jose, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)

Air Force warms up for 2010 season

Falcons offensive linemen build their strength and endurance during practice at the Air Force Academy Athletic Fields Aug. 3, 2010. The previous season's offensive lineman graduated in May, but Air Force football head coach Troy Calhoun said he is confident in the new line's motivation and expertise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)

Air Force warms up for 2010 season

Falcons linebacker Patrick Hennessey sprints during practice at the Air Force Academy Athletic Fields Aug. 3, 2010. Hennessey, a first-class cadet, is a native of Strongsville, Ohio. Fans are invited to attend Falcons practice sessions weekdays starting at 3:15 p.m. at the Athletic Fields, which are north of the Cadet Chapel on Academy Drive. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)

Air Force warms up for 2010 season

Falcons kicker Erik Soderberg stretches before practice at the Air Force Academy Athletic Fields Aug. 3, 2010. Soderberg, a second-class cadet and native of Eden Prairie, Minn., made 95 percent of his point-after kicks and 73 percent of his field goals during the 2009 season, including a 50-yarder at Colorado State in the Falcons' 34-16 victory. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)

Doolies enjoy down day at rodeo

Mandi Jo Fox competes in the Girls' Barrel Race during the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo in Colorado Springs, Colo., July 17, 2010. Ms. Fox, a native of George West, Texas, competed in several Texas Youth Rodeo Associations events in 2005, taking Finals Saddle honors in Senior Poles and winning Senior All-Around Girl. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Doolies enjoy down day at rodeo

Members of the "1st Sgt Milk Men" team, donned in Falcons football helmets, try to subdue a wild cow during a wild cow milking contest at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo in Colorado Springs, Colo., July 17, 2010. Five teams from the Air Force Academy took part, with "Defend-Herds" taking first place. On the first sergeants' team were Master Sgts. Sean Cope, Walt McClung, Greg Meinert and Jay Valoric. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Warriors converge on Colo. Springs for inaugural games

Air Force cyclist Marc Esposito shows his high spirits despite the low temperature before the start of the Warrior Games' upright cycling 20k race May 13, 2010, at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Esposito won the bronze medal, finishing with a time of 36:28. The Marines' Justin Wess took gold with 36:23, and the Marines' Travis Bartlett took silver with 36:26. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)

Warriors converge on Colo. Springs for inaugural games

The Marines' Michael Blair pushes through unseasonably cold weather to win the gold in the Warrior Games' handcycle 10k race at the U.S. Air Force Academy May 13, 2010. Blair's finishing time was 25:22. The Army's Alfred De Los Santos took silver with 27:42, and the Marines' Travis Greene took bronze with 29:20. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)