Air Force Football 2012: C Austin Hayes Fills In For Michael Husar

Playing on the road against the Michigan Wolverines might not be the ideal start for a backup center, but junior Austin Hayes of the Air Force Falcons impressed with his play in The Big House on Saturday, according to a report by David Ramsey of the Colorado Springs Gazette.

Hayes was called to fill in as starting center after Michael Husar went down with a left knee injury in the Falcons' season-opening 49-21 win over Idaho State on Sept. 1, according to the article, and at 6'2, 250-pounds, Hayes had to face towering 6'5, 308-pound Michigan defensive tackle Will Campbell in one of the biggest venues in college sports.

It was a matchup that had Hayes admittedly nervous, according to Ramsey's report:

I was very nervous. I've always had a nervousness before games but it was definitely more for that game.

After doing his part in piling up 290 rushing yards on the Wolverines in the 31-25 loss, however, Hayes held his own even better than he imagined:

I seemed to be playing fast, and I held my ground against that nose tackle - and he's really big - better than I ever would have dreamed. He's a big guy, and it was a dogfight with him.

For more on Air Force football, visit MWC blog Mountain West Connection and SB Nation Denver.

Air Force Vs. Michigan Final Score: Falcons Drop Close One To Wolverines, 31-25

The Air Force Falcons fell in a close matchup to No. 19 Michigan Wolverines 31-16 on Saturday afternoon. Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson shredded the Falcons defense by throwing for 208 yards on 14-of-25 attempts and two touchdowns. Where he really hurt them was on the ground where he ran for 218 yards, and had two touchdown runs of 79 and 58 yards.

Air Force would be able to hang around for most of the game, and they cut into Michigan's lead in the fourth quarter when running back Cody Getz scored from eight yards out, then converted the two-point attempt to make it 28-25.

The Falcons had two more possessions the rest of the way and they barely made it into Michigan territory. On their final offensive play they were facing a 4th-and-16 which they failed to convert.

Leading the way for Air Force was Getz who scored three touchdowns and rushed for 130 yards. Quarterback Connor Dietz threw for 127 yards and added another 61 on the ground.

For more on Air Force stay tuned to SB Nation Denver and Mountain West Connection, and for everything on Michigan check out Maize 'N Brew plus SB Nation Detroit.

Air Force Vs. Michigan 3rd Quarter: Wolverines Pulling Away, Lead 28-17

The Michigan Wolverines are slowly pulling away over the Air Force Falcons, and now lead 28-17 after three quarters of play. Air Force allowed Michigan to score a pair of touchdowns, to just one of their own. Wolverines quarterback Denard Robinson scored the first touchdown of the quarter, and it was for another long run of 58 yards.

For the game Robinson has torched the Falcons rush defense for 190 yards on the ground, and is averaging 12.7 yards per carry.

The Falcons responded after the Robinson's touchdown by going on a long 14-play, 77 yard drive where Cody Getz scored from 1-yard out which was his second touchdown of the game.

The final touchdown of the quarter went to Michigan when Robinson connected with Devin Gardner on a 7-yard strike. Air Force currently has the ball and will begin the fourth quarter in Michigan territory.

Air Force Vs. Michigan Halftime Score: Falcons Score Late TD, Trail 14-10

The Air Force Falcons scored a late touchdown in the second quarter to cut into their Michigan Wolverines lead, and trail 14-10 at the half. The touchdown for Air Force came on a 5-yard touchdown run by Cody Getz that capped off a 11-play, 55 yard drive.

The defense for Air Force has held Michigan in check in the running game but quarterback Denard Robinson is why the Falcons are trailing has he has thrown for 136 yards and rushed for 110 yards, but one run was a 79-yard touchdown run. Outside of Robinson, Air Force has only allowed seven rushing yards to Michigan running backs.

Air Force's offense has been able to move the ball well as they have rushed for 155 yards with Getz having 49 of those and quarterback Connor Dietz with 40. Dietz has also completed 5-of-7 passes for 51 yards.

For more on Air Force stay tuned to SB Nation Denver and Mountain West Connection, and for everything on Michigan check out Maize 'N Brew plus SB Nation Detroit.

Air Force Vs. Michigan Score Update: Falcons Trail Wolverines After First Quarter, 7-3

The Air Force Falcons trail the Michigan Wolverines, 7-3, at the end of the first quarter at the Big House in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson accounted for the touchdown, as he broke off a 79-yard scoring run.

Robinson's long TD run was sandwiched in between two long Air Force drives. The Falcons came away empty-handed after the first, as an 11-play, 56-yard drive elapsing five minutes and 33 seconds was undone by a missed field goal. They came away with three points after the second drive, however, as Parker Herrington made a 22-yard field goal following a 14-play, 71-yard drive.

The Falcons picked up nine first downs in the quarter, compared with Michigan's three. The total yards are just about even at this point, as the Wolverines have 123 to Air Force's 122.

Air Force quarterback Connor Dietz is 3-for-3 for 39 yards, while running back Cody Getz has rushed for 29 yards on six carries.

For more on Air Force football, visit MWC blog Mountain West Connection and SB Nation Denver. For more on Wolverines football, visit Michigan blog Maize 'n' Brew, plus Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire and SB Nation Detroit.

Air Force Vs. Michigan 2012: Game Time, TV Schedule, Odds And More

The Air Force Falcons will look to upset the Michigan Wolverines at the Big House on Saturday. It will be a tough task.

Air Force Vs. Michigan: Preparing For The Falcons In 1 Week's Time

The Air Force Falcons takes on the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday and Michigan has just one week to get ready, which is always a challenge when preparing for Air Force's option offense.

The good people at Maize 'n' Brew interviewed Jeremy Mauss of Mountain West Connection on the difficulties that Air Force presents. The challenges are real, Mauss said, but Mauss was not ready to predict an upset in Ann Arbor:

One thing I am certain of is that Air Force will cover the 20-point spread that Vegas has rolled out. It is extremely rare that the Falcons get blown out. In the end I think that Michigan will be too much and win by about 10-14 points by pulling away in the fourth quarter.

Mauss further theorized that Michigan won't pull away until later in the game, and that it will spend much of the first half trying to figure out the ins and outs of the Air Force offense. It's one thing to look at film and prepare mentally for the option offense, and it surely helps for Michigan's scout team to run it in practice. But it's something else entirely seeing it live and in action, and it requires adjustment.

Head over to Maize 'n' Brew for the full interview.

The Falcons kick off against the Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. MT.

For more on Air Force football, visit MWC blog Mountain West Connection and SB Nation Denver. For more on Wolverines football, visit Michigan blog Maize 'n' Brew, plus Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire and SB Nation Detroit.

Air Force Vs. Michigan Odds: Falcons Three TD Underdogs

Michigan may not be on the level of No. 1 Alabama, but the odds makers still think they'll have more than enough to handle Air Force on Saturday.

The lines at all the major sports books have the Falcons as +21.5 underdogs in this week's game, with an over/under of anywhere from 60.5 to 62. That means they're expecting the Wolverines to score early and often.

A good rule of thumb for an underdog is that you want to catch the favorite in the week before a big game, when they are looking ahead or in the week after a big win, when they can be complacent. The one time you don't want to catch them is the week after a big loss, especially one as embarrassing as the 41-14 drubbing the Crimson Tide gave Michigan in Dallas.

You can expect that Air Force will get the Wolverines best effort on Saturday, which going on talent and recruiting rankings alone, could mean a long day at the Big House for the visitors.

For more on Air Force football, visit MWC blog Mountain West Connection and SB Nation Denver. For more on Wolverines football, visit Michigan blog Maize 'n' Brew, plus Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire and SB Nation Detroit.

Air Force Defense Will Be Tested By Michigan

Under new defensive coordinator Charlton Warren, Air Force has put a renewed emphasis on rushing the passer. It showed in their opening week victory against Idaho State, where the Falcons racked up two sacks and six tackles for loss.

However, their increased aggressiveness could come back to bite them against No. 19 Michigan this week, as Denard Robinson has the speed and athleticism to make teams pay for breaking contain as they rush the passer.

"Shoelace", as he is often called, is more dangerous running the ball than throwing it. Last season, he had 2,173 yards passing and 20 TD's and 15 INT's compared to 1,176 yards rushing and 16 TD's on the ground.

In their opening week loss to Alabama, the Crimson Tide neutralized the dual-threat QB by keeping Robinson in a shell to prevent him from getting outside of the pocket and dared him to beat them over the top with his arm. However, the Crimson Tide have far superior athletes to Air Force, so the Falcons may have no choice but to roll the dice and pin their ears back to rush him.

For more on Air Force football, visit MWC blog Mountain West Connection and SB Nation Denver. For more on Wolverines football, visit Michigan blog Maize 'n' Brew, plus Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire and SB Nation Detroit.

Air Force Vs. Michigan: Wolverines Fitzgerald Toussaint, Frank Clark Expected To Play

On Saturday, the Air Force Falcons will face a Michigan Wolverines team looking to rebound after a poor showing in Week 1. They will also be facing a Michigan team closer to full strength than it was in the season opener.

Starting running back Fitzgerald Toussaint and defensive end Frank Clark were out of action during Michigan's 41-14 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide, but they will both be in the lineup against the Falcons, via Wolverines beatwriter Stephen J. Nesbitt:

Frank Clark and Fitz Toussaint will both play this week vs. Air Force.

— Stephen J. Nesbitt (@stephenjnesbitt) September 3, 2012

Toussaint missed the Alabama game due to a one-game suspension after being arrested for drunk driving and pleading guilty to a lesser charge last week, while Clark served a one-game suspension for his alleged involvement in laptop theft.

The game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. MT on Saturday at Michigan Stadium.

For more on Air Force football, visit MWC blog Mountain West Connection and SB Nation Denver.

For more on Wolverines football, visit Michigan blog Maize 'n' Brew, plus Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire and SB Nation Detroit.

Air Force Vs. Michigan: Falcons Head To Ann Arbor

Air Force travels to Ann Arbor, as the Falcons get set to take on Denard Robinson and the Michigan Wolverines.