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▼ handily. The Falcons had leads against Nevada and San Diego State, but gave up a touchdown in the final two minutes of both games and lost. "If they make one play against San Diego State in the fourth quarter, they definitely could've won that game. Against Nevada, had they converted a first down on a play when they had a drop they probably could've run out the clock. They're two plays from 3-4 as opposed to what looks like a disastrous 1-6," Briggeman said. "There's a lot of struggle, but it's not quite as horrible." The last-second losses are a step in the Click here to listen to BGI's air force preview podcast right direction. Prior to those games, Air Force had not been within three touchdowns of its opponent at the end of a game. The Falcons allowed 50-plus points in blowout losses to Wyoming and Utah State. Closer outcomes have started to show up despite the Falcons offense having to reach further and further into its quarterback depth chart as the year goes on. Four different quarterbacks have taken the field for the Falcons already this season, and none of those changes was made due to poor play. Junior Kale Pearson led the Falcons to their only win of the season in the opener against Colgate, but left that game with a knee injury in the second half and has not yet returned. Sophomore Jaleel Awini, more of a drop-back passer, took over for the next few games. He lost his good standing as a cadet for undisclosed reasons late in September and remains ineligible. Third-stringer Karson Roberts lasted two weeks before a concussion put him on the sidelines. He might be healthy enough to return, but if not it will be freshman Junior fullback Broam Hart leads the way for a balanced Air Force ground attack with 386 yards and three touchdowns through seven games. photo courtesy air force ✦ Page 2 Nate Romine taking snaps against the Irish. During the offseason, Air Force laid the groundwork to start transforming its offense from a triple-option threat to more of an open passing attack. That plan has been scrapped for the season because finding a quarterback to put on the field, let alone one who can orchestrate a brand new game plan, has been a challenge. "[Romine is] more confident throwing than running, but he is a guy that can do everything for them," Briggeman said. "I don't think given those circumstances that this is the year that they're going to try to do something drastically different from what they've done in the past." That means dropping a heavy workload on the shoulders of fullback Broam Hart. The 6-0, 220-pound Texan was a standout high school player and has been a sturdy runner this season for Air Force. He currently leads a balanced rushing attack with 386 yards and three touchdowns. Seven players on the roster have at least 100 yards rushing so far this season. The Falcons average 268.6 yards per game on the ground, which puts them 12th nationally in that category. The end of the tunnel and the light that comes with it isn't far off, Briggeman said. After Notre Dame, Air Force slips into an easier final stretch of the schedule. The distraction of a two-week government shutdown that threatened a pair of games is behind them. Although, Briggeman said the only activities affected by the federal work stoppage were media sessions, which may have actually been more of a relief for the team. Wins may be coming, but without a major upset on Saturday, Air Force will finish the season with a losing record for the second year in a row. It will also likely be the first time one of Calhoun's teams in Colorado Springs fails to make a bowl game. ✦