Air Force will open its 2025 football season at home against Bucknell on Saturday, August 30, at Falcon Stadium. This matchup marks the first meeting between the two programs.
Bucknell finished last season with a 6-6 record and placed third in the Patriot League. The Bison led their conference in several offensive categories, including scoring (28.8 points per game), passing offense (268.3 yards per game), passing efficiency (148.19), total offense (387.3 yards per game), and first downs (252). Dave Cecchini is entering his seventh season as Bucknell’s head coach.
Air Force has a strong record against Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) teams, holding a 28-0 all-time mark in such games—all played at Falcon Stadium. Head Coach Troy Calhoun is 18-0 against FCS opponents, including last year’s opening win over Merrimack.
In season openers, Air Force holds a 48-19-2 overall record and is 42-8 at home. The Falcons have won their last 18 season openers and 19 of their past 21, with the only recent losses coming to ranked Tennessee in 2006 and California in 2004. Their current streak of wins in season openers is the third-longest active run nationally, behind Ohio State and Alabama.
Reflecting on last year’s opener, Air Force defeated Merrimack by a score of 21-6. Cade Harris scored two touchdowns in the first half, while Aidan Calvert added another touchdown run after halftime. The defense limited Merrimack to just 217 total yards and forced multiple turnovers.
After that victory, Air Force improved to an undefeated record in August games (12-0), all played at Falcon Stadium. Sixteen players made their first career starts during that contest.
Individual highlights from last year’s opener included quarterback John Busha making his first start with both rushing and passing contributions; wide receiver Cade Harris scoring twice; fullback Owen Allen gaining 63 yards on his debut; and defensive players Grant Uyl and David Santiago each recording six tackles.
The Falcons are also unbeaten in non-conference home games under Coach Calhoun, going 32-4 at Falcon Stadium since he took over the program.
Looking ahead to this season’s opener against Bucknell, an Air Force win would extend its winning streak dating back to last year to five games—the program’s best since early in the previous campaign—and continue its unblemished records both against FCS teams and in August contests.
Nationally televised coverage is scheduled for all twelve of Air Force’s games this fall. Both service academy matchups—against Navy on October 4 and Army on November 1—will air on CBS. Other broadcasts include appearances on CBS Sports Network and FS1 throughout the season.
This year will also see Air Force face UConn for the first time ever when they travel east later this fall; UConn will make a return visit to Falcon Stadium as part of a future series agreement.
