In a Flurry of Scoring, Air Force Takes the 44-40 Win Over Colorado State
11/11/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
JOHN MOSSMAN
AP Sports Writer
AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AP) (Nov. 11) - Fullback Nate Beard rushed for 149 yards and three touchdowns on a snow-covered field, and Air Force held off Colorado State for a 44-40 victory Saturday.
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| Air Force fullback Nate Beard, left, rushes for a long gain as Colorado State defensive back Justin Gallimore tries to stop him in the first quarter at Air Force Academy, Colo., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2000. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) |
Colorado State (8-2, 5-1) already has clinched a share of the conference title and needs a win Thursday over Wyoming to claim the crown outright along with a Liberty Bowl berth.
At kickoff, the temperature was 17 degrees with a wind-chill factor of minus-25. Light snow fell throughout the game but intensified late in the first half, obliterating the yard markers for the remainder of the game.
Mike Thiessen's 25-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Fleming gave Air Force a seemingly comfortable 31-14 lead with 8:13 left in the third quarter.
But Matt Newton, who threw five touchdown passes, hit Jose Ochoa and Pete Rebstock on 7- and 14-yard TD passes as the Rams cut the deficit to 31-26 late in the period.
Air Force then marched to the CSU 7, but Scott Becker fumbled and CSU recovered at the 5. Two plays later, Cecil Sapp bolted 89 yards up the middle for the longest run from scrimmage in Colorado State history, giving the Rams their only lead, 34-31, with 13 minutes left.
The Falcons responded with a touchdown and two field goals on their next three possessions, making it 44-34. Thiessen's 33-yard run set up Beard's third score, on a 9-yard run off the left side with 10:19 left.
Freshman Dexter Wynn fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and Dave Adams kicked a 30-yard field goal into a stiff wind. Moments later, Travis Logsdon's interception set up another 30-yarder by Adams with 2:35 remaining.
Newton and Rebstock hooked up on an 11-yard TD pass with 1:08 left, but the extra-point attempt was blocked and Air Force recovered the Rams' subsequent onside kick.
Newton completed 22 of 41 passes for 334 yards, and Rebstock had nine catches for 168 yards. Sapp carried 10 times for 158 yards.
Air Force's wishbone generated 400 yards on the ground and 530 total, compared to Colorado State's 512 total yards. Air Force had a huge advantage in time of possession, 41:39 to 18:21.
In the first half, Beard ran for two scores to help Air Force take a 24-7 lead.
Beard finished with 25 carries, and he and Becker combined to give the Falcons 221 yards rushing from the fullback position.
