Calhoun leaves quarterback workload open as Air Force turns to Medders

Air Force’s quarterback transition is arriving before a new conference matchup, but coach Troy Calhoun has not announced a retreat from the Falcons’ rushing approach.

In a Tuesday report for The Gazette, Brent Briggeman wrote that sophomore Evan Medders is now atop the depth chart following Liam Szarka’s season-ending injury. Briggeman reported a knee injury in Saturday’s 14-9 Navy win and a Monday MRI that revealed the damage. The report does not establish a specific ligament diagnosis or a treatment plan.

Asked Tuesday about rethinking quarterback use after the injury, Calhoun emphasized doing what gives his players the best chance to win. His comments did not assign Medders a carry total or announce a change of offensive system.

The academy’s official October 6 media-session page confirms that Calhoun and offensive tackle Luke Vonderhaar discussed the upcoming NIU game. Briggeman’s bylined account supplies the direct coach comments and the reported quarterback change.

Air Force’s game notes explain why that transition matters to the offense. The Falcons enter the week at 3-1, averaging 297.3 rushing yards per game, second nationally. Their 35:57 average time of possession also ranks second nationally, and they have held the possession advantage in all four games.

Medders’ official roster biography lists him as a sophomore from Waxhaw, North Carolina. He appeared in one game last season, against Bucknell, and his high school résumé includes a school-record 245-yard rushing performance. Those details describe his experience and background; they do not guarantee that Air Force will use him exactly as it used Szarka.

The Falcons travel to Northern Illinois on October 10 for a 6:30 p.m. Central kickoff on CBS Sports Network. It is the schools’ first meeting and NIU’s first Mountain West game after joining the league.

The immediate question is how Air Force executes its offense with the reported new quarterback. Tuesday’s comments show Calhoun’s emphasis on giving the team a chance to win, while leaving the distribution of quarterback carries unstated.