BAYLOR BEARS NOTES:
BAYLOR 6-6, 4-5 Big 12
Ranking NR — AP, NR — Coaches, NR — CFP
Head Coach Dave Aranda (Cal Lutheran, 1999)
Career Record 20-15 (3rd season)
Baylor Record 20-15 (3rd season)
vs. Air Force first meeting
AIR FORCE 9-3, 5-3 MOUNTAIN WEST
Ranking NR— AP, RV — Coaches, NR — CFP
Head Coach Troy Calhoun (Air Force, 1989)
Career Record 120-78 (16th year)
Air Force Record 120-78 (16th year)
vs. Baylor first meeting
STORY LINES
• Baylor has advanced to its 11th bowl game in the last 13 years and is set to face nine-win Air Force in the Lockeed Martin Armed Forces Bowl on Dec. 22 in Fort Worth.
• The matchup with Air Force will pit two of the top rushing and ball-control offensive attacks against each other. Air Force leads the nation in rushing offense (330.9 yards per game) and time of possession (36:16 per game), while Baylor ranks 34th in the nation in rushing offense (194.1) and 17th in time of possession (32:28). Air Force also leads the nation in total defense, allowing only 356.4 yards per game.
• BU is under the direction of third-year head coach Dave Aranda, the 2021 George Munger and Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year. Aranda took over prior to the 2020 season after a historic run for four years as the associate head coach and defensive coordinator at LSU, helping the Tigers to the 2019 National Championship and 2019 Southeastern Conference Championship.
• A year ago, the Bears went a school-record 12-2, won the Big 12 Conference and the Sugar Bowl.
• Running back Richard Reese is in the midst of a historic 2022 season and ranks second among NCAA freshman in rushing TDs (14) and rushing yards (962).
• Reese was named the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, a freshman All-American by College Football News, and the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Offensive Freshman of the Year.
• Aranda is off to the best 35-game start to a Baylor coaching career since Chuck Reedy went 20-15 from 1993-95. Aranda has led the Bears to a 20-15 record to open his career.
• Senior TE Ben Sims is the all-time leader in TD grabs (12) among Baylor tight ends.
• Senior C Jacob Gall was tabbed the Offensive Lineman of the Year in the state of Texas by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football.
• Senior Dillon Doyle was named second-team All-Big 12 at fullback and linebacker, the first player in league and program history to earn first- or second-team All-Big 12 honors at an offensive and defensive position.
• Baylor leads the nation in wins among its football, and men’s and women’s basketball programs since 2011.
BOWL HISTORY: BEARS MAKE 11TH APPEARANCE IN LAST 13 YEARS
• For the 11th time in the last 13 years, the Baylor Bears are making a post-season bowl appearance, earning a spot in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth on Dec. 22.
• The Bears will be facing Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl, the fourth all-time meeting between the two programs.
• Baylor has advanced to 26 prior bowl games in its history (going 14-12) and has made two consecutive bowl trips under Coach Dave Aranda, also claiming the Sugar Bowl Title a year ago in New Orleans, topping Ole Miss 21-7.
• The Bears first went to a bowl game in 1948, the Dixie Bowl which featured a 20-7 win over Wake Forest. Over the next 61 years, the Bears attended 16 bowl games, before starting a stretch of success in the program in 2010 that has seen Baylor attend bowls in 11 of 13 years.
SERIES HISTORY
• Baylor will be meeting Air Force for the third time in its history and the first time since a 38-7 win in 1977 in Waco. The teams have played two contests in Waco and once in Colorado Springs, with the Bears winning all three meetings by a combined score of 79-17.
• The series opened in 1961 with a 31-7 win over Air Force in Waco.
Year Score Site Date
1961 BU, 31-7 Waco Nov. 18
1962 BU, 10-3 Colo. Springs Nov. 17
1977 BU, 38-7 Waco Oct. 22
Waco: BU leads, 2-0
Colorado Springs: BU leads, 1-0
SCOUTING AIR FORCE
• Air Force enters the bowl game with a 9-3 record, having gone 5-3 in the Mountain West Conference, and having won four straight games to end the year. AF has wins over Northern Iowa, Colorado, Nevada, Navy, UNLV, Army, New Mexico, Colorado State and San Diego State, with losses to Wyoming, Utah State and Boise State.
• The Falcons are led by head coach Troy Calhoun, who has directed Air Force since 2007 after a year as the offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans. He has made coaching stops as the OC at Wake Forest and Ohio, also working with QBs at Ohio. He is the first Air Force Academy graduate to serve as the head coach and has led Air Force to four 10+ win seasons, including a 10-3 record last year, an 11-2 mark in 2019, and 10-3 records in 2016 and 2014. Air Force has been to 12 bowls under Calhoun and has played in the Armed Forces Bowl six times under his direction.
• Calhoun is assisted by Charlie Jackson, the assistant head coach and DB coach; Tim Horton, the special teams coordinator; Brian Knorr, the defensive coordinator; and Mike Thiessen, the offensive coordinator.
• Air Force leads the nation in rushing offense (330.9 yards per game), time of possession (36:16) and total defense (256.4 yards allowed per game). The Falcons also rank third in the nation in scoring defense (13.2 points allowed per game), and second in passing yards allowed (156.7 yards per game). AF ranks third in the country in fewest penalty yards (356).
• Air Force is scoring 27.7 points per game, allowing 13.2, while totaling 398.7 yards per game offensively, surrendering 256.4. AF has attempted just 80 passes on the year and completed 37, an average of 3.08 completions per game. Fullback Brad Roberts leads the team with 1,612 rushing yards on the year with 15 TDs, averaging 134.3 yards per game. Tailback John Lee Eldridge III has rushed for 701 yards, while QB Haaziq Daniels has rushed for 614 yards and seven TDs. Daniels has completed 36 passes for 733 yards and six TDs. David Cormier has 13 catches for 384 yards – an average of 29.5 yards per catch – with four TDs.
• Defensively, AF is led by TD Blackman, a senior inside linebacker, who has 67 tackles, including 9.5 for a loss and 3.5 sacks. Free safety Trey Taylor has 66 tackles, while outside linebacker Vince Sanford owns 50 tackles, including a team-leading 5.5 sacks and seven QB hurries.
AIR FORCE FALCONS:
STORYLINES
• Air Force is playing is its 29th bowl game overall and 12th under head coach Troy Calhoun.
• This is Air Force’s sixth appearance in the Armed Forces Bowl, the most of any team…Air Force and Baylor will be meeting in a bowl game for the first time.
• Air Force has won three straight and four of its last five bowl games.
• Air Force is 30-8 the last three full seasons, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Air Force is 9-3 this season, finished 10-3 last season and 11-2 in 2019.
BOWL HISTORY OWL HISTORY
Air Force is playing in its 29th bowl game. The Falcons have earned a bowl bid 12 times in head coach Troy Calhoun’s 16 seasons. Air Force has a 14-13-1 all-time bowl record, including a 6-5 mark under Calhoun.
AIR FORCE PLAYING IN SIXTH ARMED FORCES BOWL
Air Force is playing in its sixth Armed Forces Bowl (2007, 08, 09, 12, 15, 22), the most appearances in any bowl in school history. The Falcons are 1-4 all-time in the bowl. Air Force’s all-time results follow:
Year Opponent Result
2007 California Lost 36-42
2008 Houston Lost 28-34
2009 Houston Won 47-20
2012 Rice Lost 14-33
2015 California Lost 36-55
2022 Baylor
BOWL FACTS
• This is Air Force’s sixth appearance in the Armed Forces Bowl, the most of any team.
• Air Force and Baylor will be meeting in a bowl game for the first time.
• Air Force has won three straight and four of its last five bowl games.
• Air Force faces a Power 5 team for the third straight bowl.
• This is Air Force’s ninth bowl overall and second straight in the state of Texas.
• This will be Air Force’s third bowl vs. the Big 12 overall and first since playing Texas Tech in the 1995 Copper Bowl (L 55-41)…The other Big 12 opponent was Texas in the 1985 Bluebonnet Bowl (W 24-16).
• Air Force is 1-4 in bowl games at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth.
• Air Force Head Coach Troy Calhoun has led the Falcons to 12 bowl games and has led the Falcons to a 6-5 record.
• BRINGING THE BLUE: Air Force has averaged 40,623 in attendance in five previous Armed Forces Bowl games. The attendance has only been below 40K once.
THE SERIES
• Air Force and Baylor will be meeting for the fourth time overall and first since 1977.
• Baylor leads the series, 3-0, including a 2-0 mark at home.
• This will be the first neutral site meeting in the series and first in a bowl game.
Air Force-Baylor Series
11-18-61 – Baylor 31-7 (A)
11-17-62 – Baylor 10-3 (H)
10-22-77 – Baylor 28-7 (A)
(Site) is for AF
AIR FORCE VS. THE BIG 12
• Air Force is 6-16-1 all-time against teams in the Big 12 at the time of the game.
• The bowl game will be the first meeting against a Big 12 team since 2010 vs. Oklahoma.
• Air Force last win against the conference came in 1983 vs. Texas Tech at home (28-13).
• The Falcons have lost two straight since the Texas Tech win, both coming to Oklahoma (2001, 2010).
BIG 12 G W L T LAST MTG
Baylor 3 0 3 0 1977
Iowa State 2 0 2 0 1976
Kansas State 3 0 3 0 1979
Missouri 6 2 4 0 1971
Nebraska 2 1 1 0 1965
Oklahoma 2 0 2 0 2010
Oklahoma St. 2 1 0 1 1967
Texas 1 1 0 0 1985
Texas Tech 2 1 1 0 1983
TOTALS 23 6 16 1
AIR FORCE 30-8 LAST THREE SEASONS
• Air Force is 30-8 the last three full seasons, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Air Force is 9-3 this season, finished 10-3 last season and 11-2 in 2019.
• The Falcons are 18-6 in conference play during the same stretch. Air Force was 5-3 and finished second in the Mountain Division this season. Air Force shared the Mountain Division title with a 6-2 mark last season and finished second with a 7-1 mark in 2019.
AIR FORCE VS. NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS
Air Force is 47-27 against non-conference opponents under head coach Troy Calhoun. The Falcons are 30-4 at home, 9-17 on the road and 8-6 in neutral site games. Air Force is 4-0 this season and 8-1 over the last two seasons. The Falcons have won five straight.
AIR FORCE VS. POWER FIVE
Air Force has won four straight vs. Power 5 programs and has an 8-12 record since 2003. The Falcons are 1-2 at home and 7-10 on the road/neutral. Air Force is 6-9 under head coach Troy Calhoun.
AN AIR FORCE WIN WOULD
• Air Force would finish the season 10-3 overall, marking the 10th time in program history to finish with 10-plus wins, including its third straight full season (2019, 2021, 2022)…the 10-win season would be the fifth under Troy Calhoun
• Air Force would close the season with a season-best five-game winning streak.
• Air Force would improve its bowl win streak to four straight and five of the last six.
• Air Force would improve to 2-4 in the Armed Forces Bowl.
• Air Force would improve to 31-8 the last three full seasons, excluding the 2020 season.
• Air Force would improve its win streak over Power 5 teams to five, dating back to 2019.
• Air Force would improve to 15-13-1 overall in bowl games.
• Air Force Head Coach Troy Calhoun would improve to 7-5 in bowl games…the coach would improve to 121-78 overall in his career and 7-9 vs. Power 5 teams.
OFFENSIVE NOTES
• Air Force leads the Mountain West in passing efficiency (155.49), yards per completion (21.97) rushing (330.9), sacks against (1.0) and time of possession (36:16)…the Falcons rank in the top 25 nationally in six categories.
Category Stat MW NCAA
Scoring Offense 27.7 3rd 73rd
Yards Per Comp. 21.97 1st 2nd
Passing Efficiency 155.49 1st 21st
Rushing Offense 330.9 1st 1st
Total Offense 398.7 2nd 61st
First Downs 245 3rd 76th
Third Down % .444 2nd 31st
Sacks Against 1.00 1st 11th
Time of Possession 36:16 1st 1st
Red Zone offense .872 2nd 37th
• Air Force has led the time of possession battle in 10 of 12 games this season. The Falcons have held the ball for 35 minutes-plus seven times.
• Junior quarterback Ben Brittain’s 80-yard touchdown pass to David Cormier ties as the eighth longest pass play in school history. The play is the third 80-yard touchdown of the season for the Falcons (80-yard run and 80-yard pass against Northern Iowa).
• Air Force had 541 yards of total offense vs. Nevada, the second time the Falcons have been over the 500-yards mark this season.
• Air Force did not punt in the Nevada game, the second time this season without a punt (Northern Iowa).
• Air Force had three runs of 70 yards or longer in the same game for the first time in school history in the win over Northern Iowa. Dane Kinamon and Brad Roberts each had 71-yard touchdown runs while Jalen Johnson scored on an 80-yard run.
• Air Force’s 582 rushing yards vs. Northern Iowa are the sixth most in school history and the most since rushing for 595 vs. Tennessee State in 2011.
• Air Force’s 691 yards of total offense vs. Northern Iowa are the fourth most in school history and the most since a school record 792 against Tennessee State in 2011.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
• Air Force has held 11 of 12 opponents to 21 points or less this season. The Falcons have held 21 of 25 opponents to 21 points or less over the last two seasons. Air Force is holding its opponents to 16.6 points per game overall the last two seasons.
• Air Force has held opponents to 159 points, the ninth fewest in program history. Opponents are averaging 13.3 points per game which is sixth in AF history and best since the 1998 team held opponents to the same mark. Air Force is on pace to set a single-season record for fewest rushing yards, allowing just 1,197 yards. The record of 1,307 was set in 2019 and 1985. The Falcons are also on pace to set a record for fewest carries allowed. The Falcons have allowed 340 and the record is 372 set in 1956.
• Air Force leads the nation in total defense (256.4), ranks second in passing yards allowed (156.7), second in first down defense (157) and third in scoring defense (13.2). Air Force ranks in the top 25 nationally in seven categories overall. A closer look at Air Force’s MW and NCAA ranks follow.
Category Stat MW NCAA
Scoring Defense 13.2 1st 3rd
Passing Defense 156.7 1st 2nd
Passing Eff. Def. 121.39 3rd 33rd
Rushing Defense 99.8 1st 9th
Total Defense 256.4 1st 1st
Opp. First Downs 157 1st 2nd
Third Down Def. .302 2nd 12th
Red Zone defense .760 3rd 14th
• Air Force has held its last four opponents to just 25 points, 749 total yards and 39 first downs, averages of 6.25 points, 187.2 total yards and 9.8 first downs per game.
• Air Force held San Diego State to just 188 total yards, including -1 rushing yards, and eight first downs. The -1 rushing yards ranks 10th in program history and is the fewest since 2002.
• Air Force held Colorado State to just 244 total yards on 46 plays, including just 65 yards rushing on 22 carries.
• Air Force held New Mexico to just 172 total yards and eight first downs. The Lobos were scoreless, had just three first downs and 59 total yards on 19 plays in the first half.
• Air Force held Army to just 145 total yards and eight first downs. Army was held scoreless with just two first downs and 20 total yards on 15 plays in the second half.
• Air Force held Boise State scoreless and to just 122 total yards in the second half. The Broncos had just six first downs in the second half.
• Air Force held UNLV to just 179 total yards on 35 plays. The Falcons held the Rebels to just 90 yards on 29 plays outside of the lone UNLV scoring drive.
• Air Force held Navy to 243 total yards and 4.3 yards per play. The defense held the Mids to one first down and 28 yards in the first quarter.
• Air Force held Nevada to 242 total yards, including just 112 in the first three quarters. The Wolf Pack gained 130 yards in the fourth quarter against reserves. Air Force held Nevada to just 11 total first downs.
• Air Force held Colorado to just 162 total yards, including 62 yards on 38 plays in the second half. The Falcons held the Buffs scoreless in the second half and allowed just three first downs. Colorado had just eight first downs in the game. Air Force held Colorado to 1-11 on third downs.
• Air Force held Northern Iowa to just three points through three quarters. The Panthers scored two late fourth quarter touchdowns after trailing 48-3. UNI had just 235 total yards in the first three quarters. Northern Iowa was just 2-8 on third down.
SEASON NOTES
• Air Force completed the regular season with a Mountain West-best 9-3 overall record. The Falcons finished second in the Mountain Division with a 5-3 mark. The nine-win season is the 15th in program history overall and the seventh under head coach Troy Calhoun. The team extended its season-long winning streak to four games.
• Air Force didn’t have any penalties in the game at Wyoming, marking the first time since Oct. 23, 2008 vs. New Mexico. The Falcons didn’t turn the ball over, and along with the no penalties marks the first time since Sept. 9, 1995 vs. Wyoming that the team didn’t have any penalties or turnovers in the same game.
• Air Force had won six straight games dating back to last season before falling at Wyoming, which was the third-longest active win streak in the nation.
• Air Force won its fourth straight game vs. a Power 5 team with a 41-10 vs. Colorado in Falcon Stadium. The program improved to 8-12 since 2003 against Power 5 teams. Air Force improved to 6-9 under head coach Troy Calhoun.
• Air Force won consecutive games against Colorado for the first time in series history, beating the Buffs, 41-10, Sept. 10 and 30-23 in overtime in 2019.
• Air Force improved to 21-33-2 all-time vs. the Pac-12 conference with the win over Colorado.
• Air Force win its 17th straight season opener to extend the nation’s third-longest season-opening winning streak, dating back to 2007. Only Ohio State (23) and Alabama (21) have longer win streaks on opening day.
• Air Force improved to 26-0 all-time vs. teams from the Football Championship Subdivision.
All 26 wins have come at home. Air Force Head Coach Troy Calhoun improved to 16-0 alltime vs. FCS teams.
AIR FORCE WITH TWO OR MORE TURNOVERS
• The Falcons are 4-0 this season and have won 15 straight and 18 of the last 19.
• Air Force forced a season-high four turnovers (3 fumbles, INT) at UNLV.
• Air Force is 34-4 over when forcing two or more turnovers the last eight seasons.
