That would be difficult enough under normal circumstances when considering these fly boys enjoy being airborne more than anything else.

But it could prove harder still if the Falcons continue to relish the 20-17 upset win over then No. 8-ranked Notre Dame last Saturday in South Bend, Ind.

The veteran Air Force head coach doesn't believe the Falcons will hit death valley this Saturday afternoon at Falcon Stadium in a key Western Athletic Conference matchup with the University of Hawaii. But he'll be the first to remind them if necessary.

"Our kids came quickly back down to earth after the win," DeBerry said. "If you had been on our plane coming back home, I think you would have been tremendously impressed.

"It was a great win. There was a lot of celebration in our dressing room, but when our young men walked out to be with their families, and got on the bus with their books in their hands for classroom lectures on the plane ride home, they had changed and refocused.

"Certainly, I'll remind them today if anybody told them they played well on Saturday because, by gosh, they'll be in trouble because this game is important and imperative because it's a conference game. I think our players realize we have a conference loss and can't afford another one as we enter the back side of our schedule."

Air Force is certainly one of the premier teams in the Pacific Division. The Falcons' only loss in WAC play was at Wyoming. The unbeaten Cowboys kicked a field goal with 26 seconds left to secure the 22-19 victory.

The Falcons also lost on a last-second field goal to Navy two weeks ago. They're 4-2 overall and 3-1 in conference play, with only a touchdown and 35 seconds separating them from an unbeaten season.

"Sometimes close losses like those are tougher than getting beat 45-14," DeBerry said. "That's why I was thrilled for our players to come back and beat Notre Dame after a devastating loss the week before to our arch rivals in the Naval Academy.

"Certainly that win ranks up there with some of the best we've had here over the years. We've been fortunate to have some big wins over Ohio State, Texas, BYU and Virginia Tech, when they had Bruce Smith, so the win over Notre Dame is certainly big."

Senior quarterback Beau Morgan was the catalyst for the Falcons in the 20-17 overtime win. He rushed for a season-high 183 yards. In six games, the Heisman Trophy candidate has 750 yards and seven touchdowns, and has completed 53 of 97 passes for 610 yards and three scores.

The Carrolton, Texas, native needs to average 50 yards rushing and 78 yards passing to become the first player in NCAA history to rush and pass for 1,000 yards in a season twice. Former UH quarterback Michael Carter managed that feat once in his career.

"To me, Beau Morgan is what college football is all about," UH head coach Fred vonAppen said. "I know other players at larger schools will receive more publicity, but this guy should win the Heisman, no questions asked."

Granted, Morgan makes the offense go, but he also has five running backs who have rushed for 108 yards or more. The leader of the pack is Andre Johnson. He has 356 yards on 39 carries and five touchdowns. Nakia Addison has 210 yards and three scores to round out the primary Air Force attack.

The Falcons are second in the nation in rushing, averaging 345.8 yards a game. They also are fourth in the nation in turnover margin with an average of plus 1.67.

Overlooked in this offensive hoopla is perhaps one of the best defenses in the league. The Falcons are first in the WAC and 16th in the nation, giving up only 15.5 points a game. They also are first in the conference in rushing defense (103.8 yards a game) and second in total defense (324).

"We weren't happy with our defensive play last year, so we made some changes we feel have helped us as a football team," DeBerry said. "I think we showed that against Notre Dame by allowing them only 67 yards rushing.

"Even though we have a couple of losses, I believe we have a good football team. We're still in the Pacific Division race, but we need to win every game from here on in to have a shot at the WAC championship game. That's why this game with Hawaii is important. We can't afford to slip against anybody."

Teams: Hawaii at Air Force Academy
When: Next Saturday, Falcon Stadium.
Weekend update: Air Force defeated then-No. 8 Notre Dame, 20-17, in overtime at South Bend, Ind.
Man of the hour:Falcons quarterback Beau Morgan rushed for 183 yards and a touchdown for the 4-2 Falcons.
Quotable:"What this proves is size isn't everything in football. There's desire and there's belief," said Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry, after the upset of the Fighting Irish.