Air Force Falcons football statistical leaders

The Air Force Falcons football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Air Force Falcons football program in various categories,[1] including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Falcons represent the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in the NCAA's Mountain West Conference.

Although Air Force began competing in intercollegiate football in 1955,[1] these lists are dominated by more recent players for several reasons:

  • Since 1955, seasons have increased from 10 games to 11 and then 12 games in length.
  • The NCAA didn't allow freshmen to play varsity football until 1972, allowing players to have four-year careers.
  • Bowl games only began counting toward single-season and career statistics in 2002.[2] The Falcons have played in nine bowl games since this decision, giving recent players an extra game to accumulate statistics.
  • Due to COVID-19 disruptions, the NCAA ruled that the 2020 season would not count against the eligibility of any football player. While the service academies generally do not redshirt players, the Department of the Air Force allowed the USAFA to give its cadet athletes an extra season of eligibility. (Army was given this same option, but Navy was not.)[3]

The values on these list are often smaller than the values seen on other programs' lists for several reasons:

  • Air Force has only played since 1955, making it a relatively new college football program.
  • The Air Force Academy is a four-year undergraduate program, so it does not redshirt players under normal circumstances.[4] This means that for a player to play for four years, he must be good enough to see the field as a true freshman. Relatively few players are prepared to do this, which depresses career records.
  • Air Force has run a triple option offense since the arrival of head coach Ken Hatfield in 1978. This offense emphasizes running over passing. Most passing records were established in the 24-year period before this time.

These lists are updated through the end of the 2022 season.

Passing

Passing completions

Passing yards

Passing touchdowns

Rushing

Rushing yards

Rushing touchdowns

Receiving

Receptions

Receiving yards

Receiving touchdowns

Total offense

Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns.[20]

Total offense yards

Touchdowns responsible for

"Touchdowns responsible for" is the NCAA's official term for combined passing and rushing touchdowns.[25]

Defense

Interceptions

Tackles

Sacks

Kicking

Field goals made

Field goal percentage

References

  1. ^ a b "2016 Air Force Falcons Media Guide" (PDF). GoAirForceFalcons.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 24, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  2. ^ "NCAA changes policy on football stats". ESPN.com. AP. August 28, 2002. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  3. ^ Dinich, Heather (December 12, 2022). "Niumatalolo says Navy fired him immediately after loss to Army". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  4. ^ Briggeman, Brent (September 24, 2013). "Troy Calhoun thinks Air Force should consider adding a redshirt program". Gazette.com. The Gazette (Colorado Springs). Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  5. ^ "Air Force Falcons Passing".
  6. ^ "Air Force Falcons Passing".
  7. ^ a b c d "Donald Hammond III". ESPN.com.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Brad Roberts". ESPN.com.
  9. ^ "Jacobi Owens". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  10. ^ "Air Force controls Army to end 7-game skid". ESPN.com. November 2, 2013.
  11. ^ "Fagan rushes for 260, Air Force beats Colorado State 27-19". ESPN.com. November 22, 2018.
  12. ^ "Owens leads Air Force to 44-16 win over Nicholls". ESPN.com. August 30, 2014.
  13. ^ "Air Force 42, Colorado St. 21". ESPN.com. September 29, 2012.
  14. ^ "Air Force vs. Nevada Box Score". ESPN.com. November 19, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  15. ^ a b c d "Jalen Robinette". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  16. ^ a b "Geraud Sanders". ESPN.com.
  17. ^ "Gipson shines in Dallas return as UNM tops Air Force 45-40". ESPN.com. October 15, 2016.
  18. ^ a b "Air Force vs. Louisville Box Score". ESPN.com. December 28, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  19. ^ "New Mexico uses big plays to beat Air Force 47-35". ESPN.com. November 28, 2015.
  20. ^ "2021 Football Bowl Subdivision Records" (PDF). NCAA. p. 9. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  21. ^ a b "Haaziq Daniels". ESPN.com.
  22. ^ "Navy uses last-minute TD to beat Air Force 48-45". ESPN.com. October 7, 2017.
  23. ^ "Air Force gets first conference win 41-35". ESPN.com. October 19, 2018.
  24. ^ "Air Force goes to the air to thwart Boise State, 37-30". ESPN.com. November 20, 2015.
  25. ^ "2021 Football Bowl Subdivision Records" (PDF). NCAA. p. 12. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  26. ^ "Air Force beats mistake-prone Boise State 28-14". ESPN.com. September 27, 2014.
  27. ^ a b "Vince Sanford". ESPN.com.
  28. ^ "Jordan Jackson". ESPN.com.
  29. ^ "Bo Richter". ESPN.com.
  30. ^ a b c d "Luke Strebel". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
  31. ^ a b c "Matthew Dapore". ESPN.com.
  32. ^ "Navy vs. Air Force Box Score". ESPN.com. October 3, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  33. ^ a b "Jake Koehnke". ESPN.com.