Falcons Breeze to 48-7 Season Opening Win over Colgate

Post-Game Interviews

USAFA, Colo. – The Air Force Academy football team led from wire to wire in a 48-7 season-opening win over Colgate University, Saturday afternoon, Aug. 31, at Falcon Stadium. It was the 13th consecutive season-opening win for the Falcons.

The offense was firing on all cylinders for Air Force, totaling 464 yards, 423 of those coming on the ground. The lone pass AF attempted was a 41-yard gain. It is the first time in program history the Falcons have attempted just one pass, and it is the fewest passes attempted since not airing it out once against Hawaii in 2012.

Leading the charge on the ground was senior Taven Birdow, tallying 80 yards on nine carries. Junior Kadin Remsberg finished second with 62 yards, as well as two touchdowns to set a new career-best. Junior quarterback Donald Hammond III earned the start behind center and was the workhorse in the red zone, as he tallied three touchdowns on 26 yards rushing. That tied his career-best mark for points.

Also getting in on the scoring were senior Nolan Eriksen, the third of his career, while the other came courtesy of sophomore Timothy Jackson, which was the first of his Falcon career. Meanwhile, the lone pass was a connection from senior QB Isaiah Sanders to classmate wide receiver Geraud Sanders.

On defense, the Falcons held the Raiders (0-2) to just 161 yards, including 86 through the air and 75 on the ground. Junior Milton Bugg III was one of four leading tacklers, with five, while also recording the first interception of his career. Also recording five stops were seniors Garrett Kauppila and Kyle Johnson, as well as sophomore Vince Sanford.

Air Force started the game on defense, but wasted little time getting on offense, as on the third play from scrimmage, Bugg III jumped a route and picked the ball off, setting the offense up at the Colgate 40. AF would only need six plays to capitalize on the turnover, as Hammond III took it himself from two yards out to make it 7-0.

Both teams then traded possessions, but on Colgate's third drive, they got some momentum, getting down to AF's 20. They were held to a FG attempt, which sailed wide right to keep it a one score game into the second quarter.

AF extended the lead to start the second quarter, as Hammond III found the end zone for the second time on a 17-yard rush, making it 14-0 at the 12 minute mark. After a turnover on downs at about midfield, AF made quick work again, as a 41-yard Birdow scamper set up Remsburg for a two-yard TD rush, making it 21-0.

The defense continued to grind, forcing a three and out, and giving AF the ball back with six minutes left in the first half. The Falcons took full advantage, driving 60-yards in just eight plays, capped off by a six-yard Remsburg rush, to make it a four score game. The scoring barrage was not complete just yet, as a bad snap from Colgate led to a turnover and AF gaining possession on the one-yard line. One play later, Hammond had his third rushing score of the first half to put the Falcons ahead, 35-0, into halftime.

Offensive momentum did not cease at the start of the third quarter, as Air Force received the kick and went the 75 yards in eight plays, capped off by a one yard run by Timothy Jackson, the first of his career. The PAT was blocked, however, making it a 41-0 game. After yet another three and out from the defense, Air Force's offense went back to work, traversing 74 yards in nine plays, sealed with an eight-yard rushing score from Eriksen, making it 48-0 early in the third.

Colgate finally broke the shutout on the ensuing drive, making it 48-7 heading into the fourth quarter. With many of both teams backups in, the teams traded empty possessions for the entire fourth quarter, melting out the clock and giving AF the 41-point season-opening win.

The Falcons now head into a bye week as they gear up for a showdown with in-state rival the University of Colorado. Kickoff against the Buffaloes is set for 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 14.

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