Option has put Falcons on map

Steve Guiremand

Thursday, Nov. 14, 2002 | 9:31 a.m.

When it comes to running the option, nobody does it better than Air Force.

Fisher DeBerry's Falcons, who have finished in the top 10 in rushing in the NCAA every year since 1987, lead the nation in that category heading into Saturday afternoon's game against UNLV at Sam Boyd Stadium. Air Force is averaging just a hair under 300 yards per game -- 299.50 to be exact.

But when it comes to defending Air Force's option, it could be argued that nobody has done it better than UNLV the last two seasons.

The Rebels actually outrushed the Falcons, 224 to 219, in their last meeting at Sam Boyd Stadium in 2000. UNLV overcame a 13-12 halftime deficit to win easily, 34-13.

And last year in Colorado Springs, the Rebels limited Air Force to just 4.2 yards per carry (259 yards on 61 attempts) en route to a 34-10 victory.

In its last six quarters against Air Force, UNLV has allowed just one touchdown. The Rebels have outscored the Falcons 56-10 in that span.

So what are the keys to slowing down the Falcons again on Saturday?

"The biggest thing you've got to do is stay on your feet," Rebel defensive coordinator Mike Bradeson said.

That is easier said than done against the Falcons' aggressive scramble-blocking schemes.

"Oh yeah," Bradeson said. "Every position practices for the cut blocking and stuff. But it's never done at the same speed or even close to what you get from them in the game. When you come out and start the game against them, it is just so much faster than you can simulate it in practice."

And then there is also the matter of trying to brainwash his defenders into playing exactly opposite the way they play the other 11 games.

"You have to play assignment football," Bradeson said. "That's harder than anything else because it's not, 'See ball, get ball' like you're are used to playing. If you have the pitch man and the quarterback is coming at you with the ball, you have to stay with your man and not go after the quarterback. If you do, the next thing you know you have a back free running up the sideline.

"You just keep going over and over it in practice. But (Air Force) is so good at changing up at what they do."

Another key is being able to stop the first part of the option, the fullback dive.

"That's always big," Bradeson said, "because that is the base of their offense. And then they have a tremendous quarterback this year (Chance Harridge) and they do a lot of stuff to get him the football also."

Harridge is 46th in the nation in rushing with 978 yards on 191 carries and 17 touchdowns.

"I've been watching him on film and, shoot, I think he's as good as they've had both running and throwing the ball," Bradeson said. "He's also got a lot of savvy and toughness. He has a fire in him, too. He's a leader."

All of which makes for a very long week of preparation for Bradeson and company.

"They know every scheme, every blocking scheme and every change-up you can do with the option," Bradeson said. "So it comes down to playing your roles and keeping your feet."

Sounds so simple, doesn't it?

Croom transferred to UNLV after spending one spring practice in Tucson under Mackovic.

"When I was there, there were some players who thought his coaching style was a little different," Croom said. "I just assumed everybody would just get used to it. He's a big 'his way or the highway' kind of guy.

"I am surprised something like that happened, that 45 or so of his players stood up and said that they didn't want to play for him. I wonder what he's thinking? His players backed down on him. If you don't have your players, you don't have nobody.

"I just talked to a friend of mine down there the other day and he told me that Mackovic was going to get fired, that the players threatened not to play in the Arizona State game if they didn't get rid of him. Still, I was surprised that it was such a big national story."

Croom said even though he didn't have anything personally against Mackovic, he's glad he made the decision to transfer.

"I had kind of made up my mind to leave Arizona anyway when he got the job," Croom said. "But the way things are going now, 0 and 6 in the (Pac-10) conference, I'm definitely glad I got out of there now."