Extra football could create recruiting problem for Air Force

The fly guys practiced indoors on Tuesday, but they’ll feel the warmth of sunny San Diego on Saturday.

Tight end Garrett Griffin says the team is using last week’s loss to New Mexico as extra motivation.

“It kind of exposed some of the things we need to clean up and definitely refocused us for this week,” said Griffin. “It’s the biggest game we’ve played since I’ve been here and it’s one of the biggest games we’ve had in our program for awhile.”

The Mountain West title has never been closer to calling Air Force home.

“That’s what we’ve been talking about this whole season, since spring ball,” said Linebacker Claude Alexander III. “Win the west. To have a chance to do that is great, it’s a great opportunity.”

One extra week of football means one less week of recruiting for coach Troy Calhoun and his staff. But some of the current players say that’s not such a big deal.

“Right now there are about four weeks you can really get out and do home visits,” said Coach Calhoun. “[Playing in the MWC Championship] takes away one week, so you’re really going have to be blazing the trail starting on Sunday. Probably 100 homes in one week.”

Visiting less homes could create a recruiting problem, but senior Matt Rochell thinks playing for a title will solve it.

“If I couldn’t see a coach because we were playing in a championship, that would do just as much for me,” said Rochell. “Just being able to watch the team you might be going to is big.”

Rochell’s teammate Griffin added a strong message to potential recruits:

“If this week of recruiting is enough to deter someone from coming here, then I don’t think they’re really fit for this place.”