Air Force Player of the Game: Rocco Conti, jr., tailback

In a game this statistically dominant, you can kind of take your pick of a standout. Certainly linebacker Blake Fletcher (seven tackles, a sack, 1.5 tackles for loss), kicker Carter Cremascoli (two field goals, long of 52, 4-for-4 PATs, seven touchbacks) and punter William Duncan (56.5-yard average on two punts) had big contributions. Throw fullback Kemper Hodges onto that list, as he went for 72 yards on six carries and scored a touchdown.

Conti gets the nod for a few reasons.

The senior, who entered the game with four career carries, led the way with 74 rushing yards on 10 attempts.

Most of the carries came early in the game and were consequential. Four went for a first down – including a 10-yard gain on fourth down – and three more helped get the offense back on schedule. He gained five on second-and-8, six on second-and-7 and eight on second-and-10, all helping to set up first downs and extend what turned into scoring drives.

Also, Conti continued to display tenacity as a perimeter blocker that earned him playing time last year.

“At some point, he’s going to help us as a receiver, too,” coach Troy Calhoun said. “But what you love about him is just how much he loves to block on the perimeter. That tells you a lot, right? Guys tell you a lot about themselves when they don’t have the ball, as competitors.”

Conti showed some of that bruising style even as a runner, delivering a blow to a tackler downfield.

“I think a little bit,” Conti said when asked if he seeks the contact. “Contact is part of football.”

What We Watched

The Gazette’s Brent Briggeman follows up on items of intrigue he identified prior to the game.

Air Force’s lineup

The depth chart issued Monday was followed with only one exception, as receiver Adam Hrynciw ran out first instead of Jonah Dawson. Kicker Carter Cremascoli started over Jacob Medina in the only role that hadn’t been decided early in the week. The big takeaway was that sophomore Cade Paterson had held off a long line of teammates with starting experience and made his college debut as the starting strong safety.

Air Force vs. the pass

Given Duquesne’s past success as a running team and quarterback Carson Camp’s long history – 40 career games – at the position, it seemed reasonable that the Dukes might use that run to set up some big gains through the air. That never happened. Camp went 7-for-18 passing for 42 yards and was intercepted twice. The run game did little more, picking up 54 yards on 21 carries.

The next wave

Air Force’s backups capitalized on their opportunities. Quarterback Evan Medders ran seven times for 48 yards and a touchdown, showcasing a burst of speed. He threw what looked like a touchdown pass but was called back because the receiver had earlier stepped out of bounds. Junior fullback Luke Rauh broke off a run of 17 yards and freshman quarterback Howard Fisher saw the field, picking up nine yards on his lone attempt.

By the Numbers

4

Career interceptions for Air Force safety Max Mustell, who is just one game into his sophomore year.

8

Years since Air Force has posted a shutout with a larger margin of victory (38-0 over Stony Brook in 2018). The Falcons’ most recent shutout was a 28-0 victory over Oregon State in 2024.

30

Wins in as many tries for Air Force against FCS competition.

107

Total yards for Duquesne, the seventh fewest allowed by Air Force in program history.

40:50

Air Force’s time of possession, which comes after it had the ball for 40:47 in last year’s season finale at Colorado State. The Gazette does not have access to a searchable database with details of college time of possession, but it’s unlikely many programs have pulled off consecutive games with those figures.