Air Force Academy
Michigan
Air Force Drops 29-13 Contest at #7 Michigan
9/16/2017 12:00:00 AM | Football
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Air Force football was handed a 29-13 setback at #7 Michigan Saturday afternoon in front of a crowd of 111,387 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Falcons were within three points midway through the third quarter before the Wolverines pulled away late.
The Air Force defense did not allow a touchdown to Michigan until 1:02 left in the game, as a coverage breakdown led to a 36-yard run by Karan Higdon. The Wolverines scored their other touchdown on a 79-yard punt return touchdown by Donovan Peoples-Jones. Michigan kicker Quin Nordin converted all five of his field goal attempts.
Air Force found itself down 16-6 after Peoples-Jones ran back the punt with 13:51 to go in the third quarter.
The Falcons came right back with a 64-touchdown strike by quarterback Arion Worthman to wide receiver Ronald Cleveland to cut the Michigan lead to three at 16-13 with 11:54 to go in the third.
The Wolverines hit a field goal in at the 2:59 mark in the third quarter and added 10 points in the fourth quarter to pull away.
Worthman finished with 60 yards rushing on 26 carries on the day. Senior running back Tim McVey led the Falcons with 62 yards rushing on 11 carries. Worthman led the Falcons with a 34-yard run and McVey added a 27-yard scamper.
Air Force and Michigan traded field goals early to play to a 9-6 Wolverine lead at halftime. After Nordin hit the first field goal, senior kicker Luke Strebel connected on a 37-yard field goal in the first quarter. After another Nordin field goal, Strebel drilled a 50-yard field goal to tie the game back up. Nordin made a third field goal right before halftime to put Michigan up 9-6.
Mighican quarterback Wilton Speight was 14-of-23 passing for 169 yards. Ty Issac led the Wolverines on the ground with 16 carries for 89 yards before leaving the game late with an injury.
The Air Force defense held Michigan to 359 yards of total offense and allowed just 5-of-14 third-down conversions. Seniors Jack Flor and Marquis Griffin led the Falcons with 11 tackles.
Air Force returns to action next Saturday, Sept. 23, against two-time defending Mountain West Champion San Diego State. Kickoff, at Falcon Stadium, is 5 pm MT. The game will be televised by CBS Sports.
