Jared Tew's path to Air Force was fairly common: A high school coach sent in some game film, the school recruited him and the player initially had some reservations.

"I wasn't that interested at first," Tew said, citing concerns about the military lifestyle. "But they wanted me to come on a trip. And as I learned more about the institution, it quickly sparked my interest."

Tew will certainly spark some interest Saturday when the hot Falcons (winners of three in a row, and 7-4 overall) visit the 8-2 Cougars. The Park City native will have a horde of friends and family in the stands, as he did earlier this year when the Falcons played at Utah, and the team's leading rusher will be important to stop in the Academy's vaunted triple-option offense.

The 210-pound junior leads his team with 715 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 193 carries, and coach Troy Calhoun praises a guy who nearly walked on at Utah for his ability to get "hard yards," fighting through tackles regularly.

Tew made what was first a hard decision to enroll at the Academy, a school of about 1,400 incoming freshmen annually that also typically requires a five-year professional devotion after graduation.

It was the first year, as many cadets say, that was the hardest.

Tew uses the phrases "culture shock" and "huge adjustment" even though he was fairly prepared academically coming from a family where his father is the president of a Utah-based company and he also had a 3.8 grade point average.

Weber State and Utah State offered football scholarships, but Tew opted to fight through a difficult freshman year. Now he's advanced enough to be on the part of campus where cars and civilian clothes are allowed.

"The tough part wasn't as much academically as emotionally," Tew said.

Now he, like the football team, is thriving.

Tew was originally recruited by legendary Fisher DeBerry, but wound up taking his official visit during the coaching-staff changeover. He started as a JV player and broke out last season in the Armed Forces Bowl when he became that postseason game's top historical performer in yards.

The light bulb clicked on, and Tew has added about 15 pounds to be able to handle the grind of Air Force life and his integral role against football opposition.

About 10 players currently on BYU's roster (most very prominent members) said on their biographies that they were recruited by a military academy (Air Force or Navy). Yet when asked by the Daily Herald, with help from the school's sports information office, none said they seriously considered it. Most, in fact, never got past a basic form letter; only kicker Mitch Payne said he had a visit scheduled to Air Force, but opted to commit to BYU before that could happen.

Tew can see why. It's not for everyone. Every student eats meals at the same time -- three squares is not simply a myth -- and a day goes from about 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

But Tew says he's glad his high school coach inquired the Falcons, and that a family friend knew Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch so Tew could get the required political nomination. Now he's an established member of Squadron 25, as each student belongs to a group.

The rigors of military life, however, haven't spoiled his sense of humor. Tew lists his favorite movie as "Anchorman" and wears No. 42 because he's a fullback (typically in Nos. 40-49) and the pronunciation of his last name.

"It's definitely unlike any other college," he said. "You don't really see the typical college life; all the military stuff. But you're just around pretty much around a lot of good guys."