The Air Force defense didn't just get blasted by TCU, it lost two very important defensive components in the game. Gone for 8 to 10 weeks are starting linebacker Patrick Hennessey and starting noseguard Ryan Gardner. Hennessey has a broken bone in his thumb and Gardner hurt his MCL in his right knee.
The service academies are usually somewhat thin in terms of depth, so the loss of two guys so vital to the team's defensive plans is going to be tough to overcome. But, Air Force will do what its players are used to -- rallying to the cause and making do.