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| Monday, August 13 Updated: August 14, 9:33 AM ET Questions linger, but DeBerry always has answers By Ed Graney Special to ESPN.com |
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Air Force Falcons 2000 record: 9-3 (5-2). Coach: Fisher DeBerry (18th season, 135-72-1) Starters returning: 3 offense, 4 defense. Outlook: It is another one of those years, when the numbers seemingly don't add up, expectations are low and the Falcons appear destined for a lower-tier finish. In other words, just as the program with 37 wins and three bowl games since 1997 prefers. The offense is a sea of new faces, and success will depend on how quarterback Keith Boyea grasps the option scheme. It helps that Boyea can throw and that his main target (6-foot-5 senior Ryan Fleming) led the conference with 52 catches last season. The line replaces all but senior tackle Ben Miller. There is more experience on defense, but not much. One of the conference's best linebacker corps is gone, and it's anyone's guess how players like Andy Rule, Jamie Arthur and Matt McCraney will respond. Sophomore free safety Jeff Overstreet is an all-conference talent waiting to explode. Few nationally stress special teams more than Air Force, but the Falcons will be like others in the conference when they debut a new punter (John Welsh or John Cortney) and kicker (Brooks Walters or Adam Thornton). Keep an eye on: Senior nose guard Zach Johnson. A tweaked ankle forced him to miss starts against Navy, Wyoming and New Mexico last season, but the 6-3, 265-pound lineman still managed 34 tackles at the nose position. "He is one of the league's best when he is healthy," DeBerry said. "But we can't afford another injury like that one because we don't have much depth anywhere." The Falcons must replace one end in a three-down set, so Johnson's ability to fill gaps and allow young linebackers to finish plays becomes crucial. Key game: Knock, knock. It's opportunity. You can't get better than playing the defending national champion to open a season, which Air Force will do when Oklahoma visits Sept. 1. Air Force is talking about setting an attendance record at Falcon Stadium, which would be in the 52,000 range. Prediction: The Falcons won't win, but the OU won't Soon(er) forget DeBerry's cadets. It's a good year if... November arrives and the Falcons are still in the race for a bowl. It's hard to imagine anyone filling this many holes and winning a conference championship, but there is a reason DeBerry ranks eighth all-time in Division I-A victories. If his team remains healthy, the offense should be clicking for key late-season games against Colorado State and UNLV. It's really gone far beyond saying Air Force overachieves. The system is solid and the coaching is stellar. Nothing surprises us any more. Ed Graney covers college football for the San Diego Union Tribune. |
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