As reported in the post below, Air Force sophomore quarterback Connor Dietz will miss at least three weeks after breaking a bone in his right (throwing) hand.

Dietz broke the bone on the fourth play of last Saturday’s game at Utah, a 23-16 loss. He underwent surgery this afternoon and had two pins inserted into his hand.

With Dietz out, sophomore Tim Jefferson regains the starting job.

Jefferson started the first three games of the season but injured his right ankle in the third game at New Mexico. He sat out the following week’s game against San Diego State, which Dietz started, but returned to the starting lineup the following week at Navy.

Jefferson re-injured his ankle, and Dietz started the Falcons’ next game against TCU. Jefferson returned for the ensuing game against Wyoming, but Dietz replaced him midway through the third quarter and earned the start for last Saturday’s game at Utah. Dietz seemed to entrench himself as the starter with a strong performance against the Utes, but the broken bone re-opens the door for Jefferson.

For more on Dietz’s injury and the quarterback situation, check out my article at Gazette.com.

Moving Forward: Air Force got back to work this afternoon and tried – yet again – to put a hard-to-swallow loss in the rearview mirror.

Saturday’s 23-16 loss at Utah was the Falcons’ fourth on the season. And the fourth that was decided by a touchdown or less.

“Every loss is tough, and it hurts all of us,” senior tackle Chris Campbell said. “But we all have to remind each other that we have four games left, and we still have the potential to do some really good things this season.”

That’s true. While the Falcons are a very disappointing 4-4, a good season is within reach.

They should be favored to win their next three games – at Colorado State (which has lost five in a row, most recently to San Diego State) and at home against Army and UNLV. They take those three, and they’ve guaranteed themselves a winning season and a bowl berth. And then there’s still the season finale at BYU. The Cougars looked extremely vulnerable in getting pounded at home by TCU on Saturday. And Air Force’s game with them is one week before they play arch rival Utah. So maybe the Falcons can catch BYU looking ahead.

Other Injuries: Junior cornerback Reggie Rembert did not practice Monday. Rembert left Saturday’s game at Utah after absorbing a pair of big hits on kickoff returns.

“We’ve got to wait on him,” Calhoun said. “He’s just got to be completely clear-headed for a prolonged period of time. What’s that period of time? That’s a TBD. We’ll see.”

Calhoun also said freshman outside linebacker Alex Means (mid-foot sprain) will not play.

Depth Chart: Just one small tweak to the new two-deep chart released today. Junior Braylon Gurnell now is listed as the backup to Wale Lawal Jr. at one outside linebacker spot instead of Means.

Off to watch the Skins get clobbered by Philly. Don’t care about the score as much as I care about hearing chants of “Sell The Team!” on TV from FedEx Field.