Confident Air Force ready for Irish

Feel free to outline the obvious parallels for Air Force, but you'd be wasting your time.

The Falcons are undersized, just like Navy's players. They attend a service academy, just like Navy's players. They often run the triple option, just like Navy's players. Their history against Notre Dame isn't favorable, just like Navy's players.

Navy's historic win last week at Notre Dame would seem to give Air Force newfound hope for Saturday's matchup (1:30 p.m., Channel 5). Truth is, the Falcons needed no such boost.

"We were confident going into this game no matter what Navy was going to do," said Air Force senior wide receiver Mike Moffett, a Fremd High School product. "We feel we can go in there and come out with a similar outcome."

An Air Force win would hardly make waves like Navy's triumph, even though the Falcons lost to the Midshipmen earlier this season. For starters, the Falcons have lost only three straight to Notre Dame and won in South Bend in 1996.

While Navy is having a so-so season, Air Force has enjoyed a renaissance behind first-year coach Troy Calhoun. The Falcons (7-3) are bowl eligible with wins against TCU, Wyoming and Utah. Their defense allows just 18.5 points per game.

Their offense ranks fourth nationally in rushing (272.8), boasts a legitimate star in Chad Hall and features multiple looks after years of running just the triple option.

"Not too many teams have been able to stop us," Moffett said. "We spread it out, we can throw the ball and we've stuck true to the option as well. It's tough for teams to prepare because we're going to do something different every week."

Notre Dame needs to do something different this week to avoid the first 9-loss season in team history. Coach Charlie Weis on Wednesday made his third QB change of the season, going back to Jimmy Clausen after the freshman's health improved.

Clausen is expected to start Notre Dame's final three games after starting six between Sept. 8-Oct. 13. He has averaged just 88.3 passing yards a game, completing 57.4 percent of his passes with a touchdown and 5 interceptions.

"He's the healthiest he's been in a month," Weis said. "You could see that he had pep in his step."

Progress from Clausen is critical for a team looking for something to salvage from its miserable season. Notre Dame also wants to build on a run game that had 235 yards and 4 TDs last week.

It faces an Air Force defense that is tied for 27th nationally in takeaways (21).

"Last year they weren't using this 3-4 scheme," Weis said. "They've turned into a big blitz team."

Notre Dame's chief chore will be chasing down the 5-foot-8 Hall, who ranks eighth nationally in all-purpose yards (196.1 ypg).

"He doesn't have a breakaway speed that we haven't seen before," safety Tom Zbikowski said. "He just makes plays all the time."

After taking a beating from the national media this week, Notre Dame tries to end a team-record five-game slide at home. The worsts are piling up for the Irish, but players see hope for a new set of Ws.

"It's a humbling experience to be 1-8, but at the same time, that can all happen," center John Sullivan said. "But we haven't given up and we're not going to give up.

"We'll be there fighting to the end."

Air Force (7-3) at Notre Dame (1-8)

When: 1:30 p.m Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium

TV: Channel 5; Radio: WLS 890-AM; Series: Notre Dame, 22-5

Coaches: Troy Calhoun (7-3, first year at Air Force and overall); Charlie Weis (20-14, third year at Notre Dame and overall)

Players to watch: Keep your eyes on Chad Hall, the 5-8 projectile who ranks 23rd nationally in rushing (112.2 ypg). Hall is the only FBS player to lead his team in both rushing and receiving. Carson Bird is tied for second nationally in interceptions (6).

Quarterback Jimmy Clausen's return to the lineup is paramount, but James Aldridge needs another strong performance after a career-high 125 rushing yards last week. Linebacker Joe Brockington recorded 16 tackles against Navy.

The skinny: Notre Dame is on the brink of the first 9-loss season in school history. To avoid further shame, the Irish must beat an Air Force team that ranks fourth nationally in rushing. Saturday marks a homecoming for Air Force wide receiver Mike Moffett (Fremd), guard Kyle Knight (St. Viator) and safeties Bobby Giannini (Stevenson) and Aaron Kirchoff (Barrington). Air Force tight end Travis Dekker is doubtful for the game with a concussion. ND nose tackle Pat Kuntz might return from a back injury last week.