New Mexico's dual-threat quarterback Devon Dampier was a one-time Air Force recruit

A glance through the recruiting profile of New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier provides a hint at what Air Force will face this weekend.

There among the three-star rating for the Phoenix natives is a list offers from programs ranging from Arizona to the Ivy League.

And one from Air Force.

“It didn’t go very far, to be frank,” Falcons coach Troy Calhoun said of the recruiting of Dampier by his program. “He was a strong student in a good program. Just quality young man. And that’s shown to be… he’s played that way in addition.

“We absolutely were aware of him.”

Air Force never made a home visit or had Dampier at the academy as a prospect. But that they would offer him a spot – and granted, the program casts a wide net on the recruiting trail – gives a few clues to Dampier’s traits. Namely that he is bright and he can run.

Sure enough, the 5-foot-10, 198-pound dual-threat quarterback was named to the All-Mountain West Academic Team last year as a freshman and this year is the engine that makes the Lobos’ offense go, running for a team-high 332 yards and six touchdowns (8.3 yards per carry) while throwing completing 57 percent of his passes for 1,309 yards and six touchdowns.

New Mexico’s offense ranks 47th nationally in scoring offense (32 ppg) – tied with Georgia.

Dampier had 405 yards of total offense in a loss to Fresno State on Sept. 21 (338 through the air), then led a charge that ran for 331 yards and seven touchdowns last week in a 50-40 win over New Mexico State.

“Definitely some challenges in terms of he can get out of the pocket and beat you with his legs,” Air Force defensive back Camby Goff said of Dampier. “We’ve just got to be disciplined with our assignment and account for him.”

Air Force has struggled in recent weeks against mobile quarterbacks. Wyoming’s Evan Svoboda ran 12 times for 70 yards and two touchdowns as the Cowboys won 31-19. Last week Navy’s Blake Horvath ran for 115 yards and two touchdowns.

After the Wyoming loss, Calhoun lamented his team’s handling of the quarterback run game.

“We just may see that in the future, right?” he said at the time. “There’s a chance there might be a few quarterbacks down the road that run the ball, too.”

The challenge he’ll face Saturday Calhoun has seen coming for a long time – since the time Dampier chose New Mexico over Air Force as a recruit.