Falcon Football begins fall campaign Published Aug. 6, 2015 By John Van Winkle U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Falcon Football began its 2015-2016 season at the Air Force Academy June when the team hit the practice field. The first day of team practice focused on running drills and football fundamentals. "You can only take one day at a time and that we did," said head coach Troy Calhoun. "There's a lot of work we need to put in to be ready to go up against Morgan State on Sept 5." Defensively, the Falcons replace seven starters this season. On offense, five starting positions are vacant: quarterback, fullback and three offensive-line slots. The Air Force storehouse is hardly bare, with key backups such as Shayne Davern (fullback) set to take some of those starting roles. Davern, the team's MVP for the 2014 Potato Bowl, rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns to seal the bowl victory and close the 2014 season at 10-3 for the Falcons. Junior Nate Romine (quarterback) and senior Karson Roberts (quarterback) are the early front-runners, with significant game experience under their belts. Another battle will be for the kicker and punter slots. Will Conant, a 2015 Academy graduate, held both starting jobs last season, nailing a game-winning field goal against Colorado State University, closing the Falcons' final home game with a 27-24 win. Calhoun said the battle to replace Conant and other former starters takes place each day during practice. The final starting roster is based on a cadet's athletic, academic and military performance. "You look at their general maturity, how well they do in class, how well they handle their military duties and their skills development at their respective team positions," he said. Adding to the challenges will be the season's battle for the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy. Records and rankings go out the window when a football game occurs between Air Force, Army and Navy. The victor of the three-way series claims the CINC Trophy for a year, bragging rights for the senior class and a trip to the White House to meet the president. Air Force has the trophy. No other college or professional athletic team has visited the White House as often as the Falcon, with 19 trips to Washington, D.C. since 1982, compared to Navy's 14 and Army's 6. Academy faculty and staff can attend practice but cannot scout for an opponent, report on-the-field activities or record any part of the practice. Cell phones must be turned off while at practice. On the game side Defensive line coach Time Cross rode the blocking sled at the July 31 practice, adding his large frame to the sled while vigorously exhorting his players to move the mass at any cost. "I'm a grown man," he said. "I'm a grown many with children and you really need to hit this sled hard if you think you're going to move me." The ability to shed a blocker to get to the ball carrier will be in big demand this season as the Falcons' schedule included a list of strong opponents. The Falcons play away-games against number six Michigan State and number 24 Boise State and a home game against Utah State. Air Force and Utah state received votes in the preseason college football poll. Other conference matchups include home games against San Jose State, Wyoming and Fresno State and away games against Hawaii, New Mexico and Colorado State. Visit www.goairforcefalcons.com/sports/m-footbl/sched/afa-m-footbl-sched.html to see the complete Falcon Football schedule and game times. All 12 games will be televised and aired locally on KVOR 740AM and online at www.goairforcefalcons.com.