Through the offseason, Air Force coach Troy Calhoun singled out kickoff coverage as an area that had to improve. The kickers wouldn’t be asked to do as much directional kicking, so they could be more consistent, and the players running down on kickoffs had to perform better, too. That group better be ready this week, because TCU was almost unstoppable returning kickoffs last week.

TCU’s Greg McCoy was named Mountain West special teams player of the week after averaging an astonishing 38.2 yards per kickoff return. Calhoun also included punt returner Skye Dawson, a speedster who had a 30-yard punt return. Dawson is the reigning Mountain West indoor track and field champion in the 60-meter sprint, and TCU will use him on offense, trying to get him in space for a big play.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a squad have a better return night, a return game, than what you saw the other evening between the punt returns and the kickoff returns,” Calhoun said. “The kickoff returns were absolutely electric, and the punt returner has tremendous acceleration and a complete jet.”

There will be a lot of pressure on Erik Soderberg, who handles kickoffs for Air Force, and punter David Baska. Soderberg had three touchbacks on his seven kickoffs, although those came with a strong wind at his back. Baska drew praise for his performance in his first college action. He averaged 49 yards on two punts.

“He’ll only get better down the road,” Calhoun said.

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