What Is 1959 Air Force Falcons football team

Overview

The 1959 Air Force Falcons football team represented the United States Air Force Academy during the 1959 NCAA University Division football season. Competing as an independent, the team was led by second-year head coach Ben Martin and played its home games at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The Falcons finished the season with a moderate level of success, posting a 5–4–1 overall record. Despite not participating in a bowl game, the team demonstrated steady improvement under Martin’s leadership and laid the foundation for future competitiveness in college football.

• Record: The team finished with a 5–4–1 overall record, showing balanced performance across the season with more wins than losses.
• Head Coach: Ben Martin was in his second year as head coach, continuing to build the program after taking over in 1958.
• Home Stadium: All home games were played at Falcon Stadium, which had a capacity of approximately 50,000 and opened in 1962.
• Scoring: The Falcons scored 183 total points during the season, averaging about 18.3 points per game.
• Defense: They allowed 148 points against, averaging 14.8 points per game, indicating a relatively strong defensive effort.

Season Performance

The 1959 season featured a mix of wins, losses, and one tie, reflecting the team’s transitional phase in building a competitive program. Games were played against a variety of opponents, including service academies and established college teams.

• September 26: The Falcons opened the season with a 20–7 win over Colorado State, setting a positive tone early.
• October 3: A 13–6 victory over West Texas State showed consistency in early non-conference matchups.
• October 10: They faced a tough 14–13 loss to Colorado, a strong Big Eight Conference team at the time.
• October 24: A 20–0 shutout win over Wyoming highlighted defensive strength and special teams execution.
• November 14: The season concluded with a 21–0 loss to rival Army, ending a three-game losing streak to close the year.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1959 Air Force Falcons compared to other service academies in the same season:

The Falcons outperformed Army and matched Colorado’s record, though they fell short of Navy’s 7–3 mark. Their point differential of +35 indicated a slightly above-average team, especially compared to struggling programs like Army. The lack of a conference schedule allowed flexibility in scheduling but limited postseason opportunities.

Why It Matters

The 1959 season was a building block in the early history of Air Force football, helping establish the program’s identity during its formative years. Though not a national contender, the team’s performance contributed to growing respect for military academies in college football.

• Program Growth: The 1959 season marked continued development under Ben Martin, who would later lead the team to greater success.
• Military Representation: The team served as ambassadors of the Air Force, promoting service and discipline through athletics.
• Recruiting: Competitive seasons helped attract future cadet-athletes interested in both military service and football.
• Rivalries: Games against Army and Navy helped solidify long-term traditions in service academy football.
• Stadium Legacy: Falcon Stadium became a lasting home, eventually hosting major games and events beyond college football.
• Historical Record: The 5–4–1 season is preserved in NCAA archives, contributing to Air Force’s all-time win-loss record.

While the 1959 Falcons did not achieve national acclaim, their season played a quiet but important role in shaping the future of Air Force football and intercollegiate athletics at military institutions.