Air Force gets down-to-business preparing for Army

The matchup is a crowd-pleaser, but it’s just another game to one Air Force linebacker.

“The most important thing is that this is the next game, honestly, and that’s the most important one to us,” said outside linebacker Ryan Watson.

In truth, it’s much more than that. This – is Army.

“For us it’s a rivalry game,” said tailback Timothy McVey. “It’s an intense game and we’re very focused.”

Last week, McVey rushed for more than 100 yards and two scores in a breakout performance – but even he knows this week is a different animal.

“We were happy to go out and be able to execute efficiently, so that gives us a little bit of a confidence booster,” said McVey. “We try to stay as professional as possible, but we also get really excited for games like this.”

Despite losing to Navy earlier on in the year, Air Force still has a shot at winning the Commander-In-Chief trophy – so there’s plenty to be excited about for this week’s game, and that’s something the Cadets are picking up on.

“One of the things we do, with army transfer kids that are here for the semester, there’s a lot of teasing and stuff,” said Watson. “So this week we took their uniforms, and it’s a tradition for the freshman to get random costumes – so you’ll see guys running around in tutu’s and stuff … it’s hilarious.”

It’s not all fun and games – and coach Troy Calhoun knows his team’s emotions will be tested Saturday.

“Frustration, exhilaration, wild emotions, enormous passions. I think the key is just the consistency in the way that you work,” said Coach Calhoun.

“For me at least, I’m a little more antsy going into the game,” said Watson. “Foaming at the mouth a little bit more.”