The Air Force Falcons are 1-1 this season and are traveling this week to face the 1-1 Georgia State Panthers. It is not often this season we get to see a Mountain West team challenge one of the Sun Belt teams. A real #RLBowl style show down. The Air Force brings with it almost 60 years of history and tradition. Georgia State welcomes the Falcons to the Georgia Dome in their 4th season of play. Georgia State went 6-5 in their first season in 2010 and have slipped every year since. With their first win during week one this year, they bested last years 0-12 record.
Air Force
The Air Force Falcons fared little better last year. Not since 1980 and a rash of seasons in the 70’s has the Air Force picked up so few wins. The Cadets from Colorado Springs are led by head coach Troy Calhoun who is at the helm for his 5th season. These players have to fit into military specs and aren’t the biggest on the field, but have a reputation for being fast. A commanding win in week one over Nichols State and a close loss to Wyoming in week 2, folks are still optimistic about the season. Kale Pearson is the QB for Air Force. At 5’8 he is throwing over a much taller line. With barely 52% completion rate he is off to a slow start. No touchdown passes yet and only a pair of sacks without any interceptions is a good note. So far all their touchdowns have come on the rush. Two of those last week from Devin Rushing. Yes, his last name is Rushing.
Georgia State
With Nick Arbuckle throwing for the Panthers he has connected 5 times in the end zone. He has also been sacked 4 times already. As a Junior he is leading the Panthers for the first time. Nick’s O line is going to have to give him some protection or the speed of the Air Force will keep him down or scrambling instead of making passes. His 62% pass completion rating doesn’t sound impressive until you see that he has amassed over 700 yards in two games. The Panthers like the long ball and you will see Nick setting flight against the Falcons.
Like Air Force Georgia won in week one and took a loss in week 2. Both of the Panthers games were decided by 3 points or less. This game against Air Force could be the same.
#RLBowl
UL-Monroe, our week 1 Game of the Week winner is 2-0 and leads the Sun Belt with New Mexico State. UL-Monroe heads to Death Valley to face the Tigers of LSU. That’s a tough match for the most seasoned of the SEC, the Warhawks will earn their stripes in Baton Rouge. In Mountain West play Nevada and Wyoming are the two leaders with 2-0 records. Nevada is at Arizona and Wyoming goes to Oregon. Both are big matchups for these two MWC leaders.
The Air Force and Georgia State game will be played Saturday at 2:00 eastern and broadcast on ESPN3 from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Follow the action with us on Twitter under the hashtag #RLBowl. For more information about R+L Carriers and our services like us on Facebook.
