The sign next to the entrance to the visiting locker room at Falcon Stadium is so big it’s impossible to ignore.
‘WARNING: LACK OF OXGYEN’
The sign gives the definition for hypoxia (a condition where the body as a whole is deprived of oxygen) and says it can occur “in healthy people where they ascend to higher altitude, i.e. Falcon Stadium, causing altitude sickness leading to potentially fatal complications.”
Players will see the sign whenever they enter the locker room before and during Saturday’s 5 p.m. kick off on CBS Sports Network.
“It’s a little intimidation factor,” Boise State running back Tyler Crowe admitted.
According to the sign, symptoms of hypoxia include “headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, a feeling of euphoria and nausea. In severe hypoxia, or hypoxia of very rapid onset, changes in levels of consciousness, seizures, coma, priapism, and death occur.:
The elevation and lack of oxygen is no joke. Just ask any out of shape reporter trying to walk from the field up to the press box prior to the game. It’s real, and noticeable.
At 6,620 feet it’s the second-highest elevation in all of FBS football behind only Wyoming. And the Falcons do all they can to play that up, warning on at least one other banner as well of potential death as a result of playing at the high altitude.
But does it work?
“Well we’ve played there three times and we haven’t died yet,” left tackle John Ojukwu said with a smile. “So we’re ready to go.”
The altitude is certainly a challenge when playing at Air Force. But the bigger challenge comes in trying to stop the Falcons themselves. Air Force is 4-0 at home this season and 70-23 there in 16 seasons under coach Troy Calhoun.
And the Broncos have had trouble with the Falcons some in recent years. Boise State (4-2, 3-0 MW) is just 4-4 against the Falcons since 2014, and 2-2 at The Air Force Academy.
The Broncos suffered a 24-17 home loss to Air Force last season on The Blue. The players haven’t forgotten about it, either.
“For those of us here last year we know that was a separating game for us to go to that championship,” safety Seyi Oladipo said. “It’s definitely a game where it’s like, OK we probably owe them one back.”
Added Ojukwu on the 2021 loss to the Falcons on The Blue, “That’s in the back of everyone’s mind, last season and how we finished (that game) on The Blue and everything, so we get another chance to play them and it’s always a great time.”
There’s a mutual respect when playing the Falcons, especially at Falcon Stadium – where the pregame parachute jumpers and the running of the Cadets highlight a unique and cool game day atmosphere.
Throw in the 5-2 Falcons being one of the best teams in the Mountain West this season, and it makes for what should be a heck of a Saturday.
“Those guys are built off discipline and toughness and they protect our country so we have a ton of respect for them and this is a great challenge for our guys,” cornerbacks coach Demario Warren said. “We build this program off toughness and discipline so it’s like ‘how good are we compared to the best out there and those that serve our country?’
“It’s a huge challenge but a great opportunity.”
The game also comes with a ton of importance for Boise State. The Broncos are the only remaining undefeated team the Mountain Division and can basically eliminate Air Force from contention by handing the Falcons a third league loss.
Boise State would be in the driver’s seat in the division with a win on Saturday. The Broncos are likely to be heavy favorites in their four remaining league games (At Nevada, at Wyoming, meaning a win over the Falcons increases their chances of playing in – and potentially hosting – the Mountain West title game on Dec. 3.
“We’re putting all our cards on the table and all guns blazing,” Oladipo said. “It’s time to go.”
After a rough 2-2 start the Broncos still sit in prime position to reach their goals. After a bye week to regroup for the stretch run, Boise State is back in action Saturday with plenty of motivation and excitement for the stretch run.
“Oh most definitely – it’s go time,” corner Caleb Biggers said. “We’ve got standards and goals we want to hit for our team. (It’s time) to let people know that we’re here.”
