AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Air Force is ranked for the first time in three years, moving into The Associated Press poll at No. 21 after beating up on Navy.

        Still, Falcons coach Fisher DeBerry isn't impressed.

        “I'll be honest with you: I could care less if we're not ranked, I could care less where we're ranked,” DeBerry said. “The important thing is that we continue to get better because we've still got a lot of areas where we can improve.”

        Air Force, which beat Navy 48-7 Saturday, had not been ranked since Sept. 19, 1999, when it was No. 24.

        The Falcons are 5-0, their best start since winning the first seven games of the 1997 season, and in good position to win the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy for the sixth consecutive year. A victory over Army on Nov. 9 would clinch the trophy.

        Air Force has done it with a powerful running game and an improving defense.

        Already ranked second in the nation in rushing offense, the Falcons ran over Navy for a season-high 429 yards.

        Air Force had four players with at least 45 yards, led by quarterback Chance Harridge's career-high 161 yards and four touchdowns. Harridge also continued to improve his passing, hitting 6-of-7 for a career-high 107 yards after throwing two touchdown passes in a comeback victory over Utah last week.

        “I'm really happy with the way I'm progressing,” Harridge said after his first 100-100 game. “And the great thing is the supporting cast I have around me. I don't think there is anything we can't do unless we put limitations on ourselves.”

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