And then there were two… quarterbacks listed in bold and sharing top billing on Air Force’s depth chart.

Sophomore Quentin Hayes and Josh Johnson top this week’s list, days after both enjoyed stretches of success in a 52-37 loss at New Mexico and a week after the depth chart had listed three quarterbacks as potential starters.

“Just how helpful it is that they have a chance to play in games,” Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said when asked about Hayes and Johnson and their performances Saturday. “I feel like I’m repeating myself a little bit, but whenever you work in a role and you do it for a prolonged period of time, naturally there’s just so many things that you learn. And even as much as you want to try to replicate that in practice, it’s not always exactly the same.”

Hayes made his first start at New Mexico after John Busha had started the first five games. Busha, a junior, was listed with Hayes and Johnson as potential starters prior to the game in Albuquerque but did not play. Hayes ran for 103 yards and a touchdown and completed 4-of-7 passes for 79 yards. He played every snap when the game was competitive and looked to have sewn up the title of QB1.

But then Johnson came in with Air Force trailing 52-23 and 10½ minutes remaining and led a pair of scoring drives. Johnson ran four times for 49 yards and threw for 70 yards with a touchdown.

“I was really impressed,” said tailback Tylor Latham after the game. “Both (Hayes) and (Johnson) played really good. Just the leadership aspect. Your first start, some people would be really nervous, but Q did a good job of commanding the offense and things of that nature, which was really good.”

Added fullback Terrence Gist, “They were outstanding. Q Hayes did his thing. Then Josh came in and also played absolutely outstanding. That’s two sophomores, you can’t ask any more out of them.”

So, now what? The depth chart indicates the Falcons (1-5, 0-3 Mountain West) are at least leaving the door – and position – open for either.

In a down year, perhaps that’s the wise strategy. Why commit to one when there’s a question about who is better equipped to lead the team not only down the stretch now but presumably for the next two seasons?

There would be benefits to going with one QB, though.

“I think it’s important just because you’d like to have some stability and know who’s playing so you can build confidence with that guy,” said slot receiver Cade Harris, who leads Air Force in rushing (193 yards), receiving (11 catches) and scoring (four touchdowns). “In our offense, obviously we saw things change and people played differently. I think it’s important to have a single guy, just to build confidence around him and not have changes in and out. But at the same time, if you’re put in a spot you have a job to do and you kind of just have to step up.”

The offense put up season-highs in yards, rushing yards and points in the loss, but this was against a New Mexico defense that ranks third from the bottom in FBS in total defense and fourth from last in scoring defense.

“It’s one game,” Calhoun said. “I don’t think anybody’s going to jump to conclusions over three or four at-bats. You made more first downs, I think that was probably the most notable.”

Regardless of the opponent, the ability to move the ball was something Air Force had scarcely shown during the previous four losses when it averaged nine points.

The game at New Mexico looked like a start. The question now is, who draws the start against Colorado State?