Troy Calhoun showed three video clips at an Air Force football team meeting on Monday.

One illustrated the proper technique while thwarting a Fresno State on-side kick attempt. Another showed the effort from a pair of defenders in deflecting and intercepting a pass.

The final clip spotlighted a sophomore quarterback, this team’s new leader, as he refused to be stopped short of the end zone on fourth and goal from the 2.

“The word we used was ‘will,’” Calhoun said. “The guy’s hit outside the 1, and that’s it … will.”

Quentin Hayes has answered the season-long question at the all-important position, drawing the start in three of the past four games (in short, when healthy, he’s been the starter since Oct. 12).

There’s no stat more important to an Air Force quarterback than team first downs. In the three games where Hayes has taken the majority of the snaps, the Falcons are averaging 20 first downs. In the other six games they are averaging 15.

And there’s no more important aspect to the position than earning the trust and respect of teammates, and Hayes has clearly accomplished that.

By putting his body on the line on several plays – he was hit even harder on a 5-yard scramble on the third down that preceded the fourth-down touchdown that put the Falcons in front during a 36-28 victory over Fresno State on Saturday night.

“He’s our leader,” junior fullback Dylan Carson said. “Doesn’t matter that he’s only a sophomore. He’s the field general. For him to set an example like that, that’s something that we needed. That we have him now, we’re really happy and we’re really looking forward to these next three games.”

Senior wide receiver Cameron Breier also walked away impressed with Hayes’ effort on a night when the quarterback wearing No. 7 ran for 91 yards on 25 carries and had a hand in three of the team’s four touchdowns – two rushing, one passing.

“He took some hits, he sure did,” Breier said. “Q’s just a great guy. He’s a natural leader. He’s also just a funny person to be around, and a guy that you would want to be your friend. I think more than anything, the leadership he brings to our squad is something special and he’s grown into that role as the season has progressed. And has gotten more comfortable being QB1 and having that position. We’re really thankful for him.”

As for the jokes that make him funny…

“I could give you some examples, some good, some not,” Breier said. “I tell you what, he’s a funny guy. He always keeps an upbeat attitude more than anything.”

Calhoun has been impressed by Hayes’ improved strength. That was an area he didn’t have time to fully develop because of his busy schedule in high school in Enterprise, Ala. Hayes averaged 10.7 points across four varsity seasons for a basketball team that reached the semifinals during his junior season and won a state championship as a senior.

In football, he led the team to the second round of the playoffs as a senior, throwing for 650 yards and six touchdowns and running for 629 and eight touchdowns in a 10-game season.

This season, Hayes began behind junior John Busha on the depth chart. He earned the starting role at New Mexico, then suffered an injury that sidelined him against Colorado State.

Now, it would seem he has seized the position for Air Force (2-7), which hosts Oregon State (4-5) to close the home portion of the schedule at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Hayes leads the Falcons with 276 rushing yards, two touchdown passes, a 135.9 passing efficiency ranking and a 55.9% completion percentage (19-of-34 for 269 yards).

Calhoun called Hayes a “quick learner” and praised his “daily work ethic.”

As a sophomore, Hayes is not yet eligible to speak with media under Calhoun’s policy that makes only juniors and seniors available for interviews.

Even the defense took note of Hayes’ physicality last week. And they were especially pleased with those season-high 24 first downs, which helped create a time-of-possession disparity that favored the Falcons by 30 minuets – keeping the defense rested.

“There definitely is (respect earned) when you see a quarterback lower his shoulder and try to squeeze in there,” senior nose guard James Tomasi said. “The defense, we only played (38) snaps total, kept us fresh and helped us win the game.”

OK, maybe it is wins, more than first downs, that is the best measure of an Air Force quarterback. And it’s perhaps no coincidence that the biggest win of the season also came in the first game Hayes took every offensive snap and helped will his team to that outcome.

“At halftime, we were down,” Breier said, “and he said, ‘Guys, we’re going to come together, we’re going to make this happen and we’re going to win this football game.’”