The Colorado State-Air Force rivalry dates back to 1957, when CSU got the series going with a 20-7 win on the road in Colorado Springs. AF won the next meeting in 1958, and CSU would never lead the series again.

Overall, the Academy owns a 32-20-1 advantage all time in the rivalry. A 31-0 blowout win for the Falcons in 1968 was the first ever game played at Hughes Stadium in Fort Collins.

In 1980, the Ram-Falcon Trophy came to be. Former CSU ROTC commander Shelly Godkin is credited with the idea of creating the trophy to represent the rivalry. The winner of the game takes the trophy home until the next year’s matchup. Since the trophy was brought about, AF leads the series 21-14.

The Ram-Falcon Trophy has not spent much time in Fort Collins recently, as the Falcons have won eight of the last nine matchups. A 58-13 CSU win in 2013 snapped a streak of seven consecutive losses to the Falcons, and made the Rams bowl eligible.

Last year, AF ended then-No. 21 CSU’s conference championship hopes with a 27-24 upset to snap the Rams’ nine-game win streak, and bring the Ram-Falcon Trophy back to the Academy.

Collegian Sports Editor Emmett McCarthy can be reached by email at sports@collegian.com and on Twitter @emccarthy22.