Air Force Academy
New Mexico
Air Force Holds Off New Mexico In Overtime
9/7/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 7, 2002
AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Two halfback passes, a tackle-eligible pass, even players pretending to tie their shoes - Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry emptied his playbook against New Mexico.
It almost wasn't enough.
Steve Massie ran for a 4-yard touchdown as Air Force defeated New Mexico 38-31 in overtime Saturday - the first OT game involving teams from the 4-year-old Mountain West Conference.
"I told them all, if you can't get off the field when the game's over, don't worry, we'll have carts to get you off the field," DeBerry said. "But we're going to leave it all on the field."
Leotis Palmer threw a 55-yard halfback pass to Ricky Amezaga, and offensive tackle Blane Neufeld caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from Chance Harridge as Air Force (2-0, 1-0 MWC) ended a three-game losing streak to the Lobos (1-2, 0-1).
"I think its a sign of respect when you have to run about 15 trick plays," New Mexico coach Rocky Long said.
Air Force got the ball first in overtime after the teams played to a 31-all tie in regulation. Massie, who started in place of injured fullback Dan Shaffer, bulled for the final 2 yards on the Falcons' fifth play.
New Mexico quarterback Casey Kelly was 19-of-28 for 213 yards with two touchdowns, but missed on three straight passes to end overtime.
New Mexico reached Air Force's 11-yard line on its possession, but the Lobos had an illegal-procedure penalty and failed on a fourth-and-13 from the 16 when Kelly's pass was tipped away in the end zone.
"I thought they did a nice job on our coverage, and the throw wasn't very good," Long said.
Palmer ran for a career-high 125 yards and a touchdown as Air Force avoided losing to New Mexico for the fourth straight time.
Palmer scored on a 54-yard touchdown on Air Force's third play from scrimmage after he took a draw up the middle and shook off a tackle by safety Terrell Golden near the 35-yard line.
Palmer has 1,089 career yards, becoming just the fifth player to eclipse 1,000 yards since Air Force went to the option in 1980. He also took a direct snap in the fourth quarter while his teammates pretended to tie their shoes.
"I thought Palmer played his heart out," DeBerry said.
Palmer's halfback pass for a touchdown - one of two passes he completed - and Neufeld's touchdown catch gave Air Force a 24-10 lead in the second quarter, but the Falcons lost the momentum quickly on a pair of special-teams mistakes.
Air Force punter John Welsh appeared to have a clear path up the middle on a punt late in the second quarter, but he hit New Mexico's Brandon Gregory when he tried to angle the kick to the right.
Curtis Flakes recovered the ball at Air Force's 6-yard line, and Kelly scored three plays later on a 4-yard run up the middle with 1:57 left.
Robert Barkers replaced Welsh on Air Force's next punt with 47 seconds left, but he kicked it just 22 yards, near midfield.
Quincy Wright tied it at 24 on the next play, zigzagging his way through Air Force's defense for a 48-yard touchdown. Wright took a screen pass from Kelly on the right side, broke a tackle near the 40, then outran Air Force's defense to the left corner of the end zone.
"The end of the first half was a nightmare," DeBerry said. "I didn't know where I was. I couldn't believe what had happened to our football team. "
Wright, who ran for a school-record 265 yards against Weber State last week, finished with 145 yards on 25 carries.
Kelly also had a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
It was Air Force's second overtime game at home and first since a 24-18 victory over San Diego State on Sept. 27, 1997 - before eight Western Athletic Conference teams bolted to form the Mountain West. New Mexico lost 16-13 to Baylor in overtime last September.
JOHN MARSHALL
AP Sports Writer
