Air Force’s early season schedule left the Falcons with no chance to inspire mass celebration. Anyone who understands college football yawns after victories over Abilene Christian and Georgia State.

Still, there was a wake-up moment from Saturday’s 48-14 win over Georgia State’s Panthers that should inspire hope in the hearts of Air Force fans.

The Falcons should have stomped the Panthers in the first half, but little stomping had been delivered. The Falcons were lucky to have a 20-14 lead.

The Falcons faced a first and 25 after a chop block call against Alex Norton, and the small crowd had gone virtually silent, wondering why the Falcons were struggling with an 18-point underdog.

Then came the moment.

Quarterback Nate Romine threw a 15-yard fastball to Jalen Robinette, erasing the penalty. On the next play, Romine lofted a 32-yard pass to a wide-open Robinette. Two plays, 46 yards, and a first down. Five plays later, the Falcons scored, and the rout was on.

The sequence shouts why the Falcons can beat anyone on the rest of their schedule. For decades, Air Force has functioned as Run U., a program that seeks to bring college football back to the primal days of 1927, when passing was practiced by the weak and the weird.

Romine is the rare Air Force quarterback who passes better than he runs. He picked a good time to attend the academy, because he plays under the direction of an offensive coordinator, Mike Thiessen, who also passed better than he ran during his years (1999-2000) as Falcons starting quarterback.

Robinette ranks among the nation’s most physically imposing receivers. He’s big, mighty and aggressive, flirting with offensive interference calls when the ball is heading his direction.

“It really just goes back to my basketball days,” Robinette said. “I played basketball all my life. I just channel the athlete and use those skills that I used all my life to go over people with contact.”

First time I saw Robinette running under a football in flight, I wondered why this immensely talented receiver chose to attend a school with such disdain for the pass.

The question was easily answered: Robinette came to Air Force hoping to play quarterback.

Here’s why the two-play sequence is so encouraging. The games against Abilene Christian and Georgia State served as an extended summer vacation, but reality arrives Sept. 24 at Utah State.

The Falcons could easily fall behind against several opponents lurking in September, October and November. Envision this nightmare: Navy rampages into Falcon Stadium on Oct. 1 and sprints to a, say, 24-7 lead in the second half.

Most seasons, Air Force is not built to come from behind. The run-obsessed offense works too slowly. A 17-point deficit would be insurmountable.

Not this season. The Falcons’ rushing attack is as dangerous as ever with impressive depth at fullback and halfback. Romine, average by Air Force QB standards as a ball carrier, rambled for 128 yards against the Panthers.

The passing attack could be the most powerful of this century. Last season, Robinette could only flirt with his potential with Karson Roberts at quarterback. Roberts was tough and swift and elusive as a runner, but his right arm is suspect in the same way Tim Tebow’s left arm is suspect.

Romine boasts a strong, accurate arm, and he’s developed deep chemistry with Robinette. He understands Robinette’s hostile relationship with defensive backs.

“He gives you a heap of confidence,” Romine said. “If you make a bad throw, 99 times out of 100 he’ll make you look good. You can always trust him.”

If Air Force opponents overplay the run, stacking the line of scrimmage to silence Jacobi Owens, Tim McVey and Shayne Davern, they must worry about getting sizzled by Romine to Robinette.

Defensive backfields, Robinette said, “can’t sleep on us.”

He stood in the shadows just outside the sunshine as he talked after the game. He smiled as he thought what could happen this season.

“We can definitely attack you in the air,” he said. “We can take shots down the field and catch you off guard if you’re not paying attention.”

Pay attention to Robinette’s words. A moment will arrive this season when the Falcons fall far behind and you’ll be tempted to depart the stadium or click off the TV. Don’t depart. Don’t click.

Remember the reality of the air attack.