Rebel Daily Drive 7.16.2026 | Mountain West Media Days Interview with Air Force Coach Troy Calhoun

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Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun joins Rebel Daily Drive at 2026 Mountain West Football Media Days in Las Vegas. Calhoun talks about the new-look Mountain West, quarterback Liam Szarka’s growth, Owen Allen’s role in the Falcons’ offense, Air Force’s defensive identity under Steve Russ, the unique demands of playing football at the Academy, mental toughness, the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, scheduling challenges, future non-conference games and what it will take for Air Force to bounce back this season. Tap in for the full interview from Mountain West Football Media Days. 00:00 - Troy Calhoun Joins Rebel Daily Drive 00:27 - Liam Szarka’s Growth at Quarterback 01:03 - How College Football Has Changed 02:15 - Ken Niumatalolo Joining San Jose State 03:09 - Air Force’s Defensive Identity 03:57 - Liam Szarka and Owen Allen in the Offense 04:42 - Five-for-Five Rule and the Academy Model 05:59 - Balancing Football and Air Force Training 06:41 - Air Force’s Bounce-Back Mindset 07:52 - Mental Health and Academy Support 09:13 - Defensive Leaders to Watch 09:42 - New Mountain West Members 10:21 - Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy Motivation 10:30 - Air Force’s Scheduling Approach 11:19 - CFP Scheduling and Non-Conference Games 12:20 - Why Air Force Can Be Competitive This Year 13:37 - Final Thoughts Follow The Scarlet Standard: Website: https://the-scarlet-standard.com/ [https://the-scarlet-standard.com/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTPBxVqczV4vLqAlivI3FPw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTPBxVqczV4vLqAlivI3FPw] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1GJCuyv8rTRu5arNdcjH4v [https://open.spotify.com/show/1GJCuyv8rTRu5arNdcjH4v] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scarlet-standard/id1885404705 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scarlet-standard/id1885404705] X/Twitter: https://x.com/SS_MediaLV [https://x.com/SS_MediaLV] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ss_medialv/ [https://www.instagram.com/ss_medialv/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Scarlet-Standard-LV-61577609316045/ [https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Scarlet-Standard-LV-61577609316045/] #AirForceFootball #TroyCalhoun #MountainWest #MWFB #CollegeFootball #LiamSzarka #CommanderInChiefsTrophy #FootballMediaDays #TheScarletStandard

Rebel Daily Drive 7.15.2026 | Mountain West Media Days Interview with EJ Colson & Kam Thomas (UTEP)

The Rebel Daily Drive continues its coverage from the 2026 Mountain West Football Media Days with UTEP quarterback EJ Colson and Miner Back Kam Thomas. Thomas explains the Miner Back position, a hybrid role that allows him to contribute as a receiver, runner and return specialist. After earning All-Conference USA honors as a punt returner in 2024, he enters the season with bigger goals, including becoming an All-American and competing for the Jet Award. Colson discusses his path from UCF to UIW and now UTEP. Moving from the FBS level to the FCS taught him to remain patient, continue working and never take an opportunity for granted. After earning the starting quarterback job following spring practice, Colson says the announcement did not create his confidence. Instead, it confirmed the belief he already had in his ability and gave him another opportunity to prove himself. The Miners open the season against Oklahoma and Michigan, but Colson and Thomas are not approaching either matchup simply hoping to compete. UTEP is preparing to win and believes the early schedule will immediately show what the program can become. The players describe UTEP’s identity as fearless, competitive and disciplined. Their goals extend beyond having a successful first season in the Mountain West. The Miners want to win the conference, become the highest-ranked Group of Five program and compete for a College Football Playoff berth. Thomas also discusses returning to full health after injuries limited him last season. He says he is back to 100 percent and has regained the speed that makes him one of UTEP’s most dangerous offensive and special-teams weapons. Colson explains how his dual-threat ability can affect a defense even when he does not carry the ball. Whether operating inside the pocket, extending plays, running or carrying out a fake, he wants his presence to influence every snap. Thomas praises Colson’s leadership and says the quarterback has helped bring the offense together. He believes UTEP now has a player capable of reading defenses and creating explosive plays with both his arm and legs. The conversation also covers UTEP’s team chemistry and how healthy competition has helped the roster grow closer. The players describe a locker room where teammates push one another during workouts and celebrate each other’s success. Away from football, the Miners build those relationships through cookouts, pool gatherings, games and time together as a team. Tap in for the full UTEP football interview from the 2026 Mountain West Football Media Days. THE SCARLET STANDARD Website: https://the-scarlet-standard.com/ [https://the-scarlet-standard.com/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScarletStandardMedia [https://www.youtube.com/@ScarletStandardMedia] X: https://x.com/SS_MediaLV [https://x.com/SS_MediaLV] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ss_medialv/ [https://www.instagram.com/ss_medialv/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Scarlet-Standard-LV-61577609316045/ [https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Scarlet-Standard-LV-61577609316045/] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1GJCuyv8rTRu5arNdcjH4v [https://open.spotify.com/show/1GJCuyv8rTRu5arNdcjH4v] Subscribe for complete UNLV and Mountain West football coverage, including interviews, analysis, recruiting news and daily updates. #UTEPFootball #UTEPMiners #EJColson #KamThomas #MountainWest #MountainWestFootball #CollegeFootball #RebelDailyDrive

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Rebel Daily Drive 7.16.2026 | Mountain West Media Days Interview with Air Force Coach Troy Calhoun

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