Friday, November 20
USAFA
7:30 pm MT
Air Force Academy
2-2 , 1-2
28
vs
0
New Mexico
0-4 , 0-4
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
New Mexico
0
0
0
0
0
Air Force
7
14
0
7
28
Photo by: U.S. Air Force photo / Trevor Co
Falcons Blank the Lobos, 28-0
11/20/2020 11:04:00 PM | Football
Head Coach Troy Calhoun earned the 100th victory of his AF coaching career
USAFA, Colo. – The Air Force Academy football team got back on track with a dominating 28-0 victory over Mountain West Conference rival New Mexico, Friday evening, Nov. 20, at Falcon Stadium. The win gave head coach Troy Calhoun his 100th career victory as the leading man for the Falcons.
Air Force (2-2, 1-2 MW) earned its first shutout win since blanking Stony Brook, 38-0, in the 2018 season opener. It is the first shutout of a conference opponent since stymieing the Lobos, 42-0, back on Oct. 29, 2011. The Falcons have now won nine-straight against UNM (0-4, 0-4 MW) at home, and three-straight overall.
For the game, Air Force out-gained New Mexico by a 422-304 tally, including a 356-83 difference on the ground. The Falcons went 9-of-13 on third down, compared to a 4-for-13 mark for the Lobos. Despite running just one more play than UNM, Air Force dominated the time of possession, 36:29-23:31.
Leading the way on offense was sophomore fullback Brad Roberts, as he had a career-day, rushing 28 times for 177 yards and three touchdowns. Behind him was another career-best effort, this one from senior fullback Matthew Murla, as he gained 64 yards on just seven carries. The other touchdown came on the legs of sophomore quarterback Haaziq Daniels, as he added 55 yards on 12 carries, while also going a near-flawless 4-of-5 passing for 66 yards.
On defense, freshman Johnathan Youngblood led the team in tackles with a career-best eight stops, including one for loss and two QB hurries. The Falcons kept the pressure up all night, totaling two sacks, three tackles for loss, four QB hurries and four pass breakups. AF also forced two turnovers, improving their record to 24-4 over the last seven seasons when forcing two or more turnovers.
New Mexico took the opening kick and proceeded to drive quickly into AF territory. They eventually made it to the 35 before a holding penalty stalled the drive and the defense forced a punt. Starting at their own 14, AF embarked on their first drive of the game.
Five steady runs in a row gave AF two first downs and got the ball near midfield. Then Murla had two long rushes of 14 and 25 to get the offense in a goal to go situation. One play later, Daniels capped off the 11-play drive with a four-yard TD run to open the scoring and make it 7-0 AF.
The next drive for UNM went three-and-out, and AF took over at their own 28. This time Daniels got it going with his arm, completing passes of 14 and 28, both on third down, to get the Falcons moving as the first quarter came to an end.
Starting the second quarter at the UNM 22, Daniels scooted 17 yards around the end to get to the five. On the next play, Roberts went untouched up the middle for the score, making it 14-0 AF early in the second.
On the Lobos' ensuing possession, they got some momentum going again, driving down to the AF 40 before the defense forced a turnover. On a screen pass, junior Caleb Humphrey ripped the ball free from the receiver and sophomore Kalawai'a Pescaia jumped on it to give AF possession back at their own 34.
Air Force took full advantage of the turnover, driving the 66 yards on nine plays to find the end zone for the third time. Roberts capped off the drive with his second rushing score of the game, this one from 12 yards out, to make it a 21-0 game with 6:13 left to the half.
The teams then traded empty possessions, giving the Lobos the ball with 1:18 left on the clock. They drove into AF territory and attempted a 50-yard field goal, but it was partially tipped by senior Michael Purcell, and fell well short to keep it a shutout at the half. The block kept a streak going for the Falcons, as they have blocked at least one kick in each of Troy Calhoun's 14 seasons as head coach.
Both teams traded possessions to start the second half before UNM got their first break of the game, as they forced and recovered a fumble on the AF 24. Despite the excellent field position, a nine-yard sack by senior George Silvanic and a five-yard penalty pushed the Lobos back and forced a long field goal. The try from 51 yards sailed wide right, maintaining the shutout.
UNM forced a second-straight fumble on AF's next possession, this time recovering at the Falcon 43. The Lobos gained enough yards to get back into field goal territory, but the kick once again sailed just right, maintaining the 21-0 score with 2:23 left in the third quarter.
The Lobo defense continued hunting for the ball on the next drive, forcing and recovering a third-straight fumble, and this time taking possession at the AF 18. Like déjà vu, the defense backed up the UNM offense with a penalty and tackle for loss, forcing yet another field goal. Like the three previous, this one was also no good to end the third quarter with the 21-0 tally.
Air Force had a stellar drive to start the fourth stanza, rushing the ball 12 times and going 73 yards, while chewing up almost seven minutes of game clock. However, the drive stalled out on the UNM four-yard line, and the Falcons turned the ball over on downs.
The Falcons returned the favor on UNM's ensuing drive, getting a big sack for a loss of 13 by junior Brandon Gooding to force a turnover on downs and give the Falcons the ball on the Lobo 44 with 5:47 to play. AF wasted no time on offense, as on the next play from scrimmage, Roberts dashed the 44 yards into the end zone for his third score of the game to make it 28-0.
From there, UNM was stopped on offense once again on their final possession, as an interception on the goal line from junior Corvan Taylor secured the shutout. His second pick of the season allowed the Falcons to run out the clock and secure the 28-0 victory.
Air Force will be back in action from Falcon Stadium next week for a Thanksgiving tilt against in-state rival Colorado State, Thursday, Nov. 26. Kickoff against the Rams is set for noon.
Air Force (2-2, 1-2 MW) earned its first shutout win since blanking Stony Brook, 38-0, in the 2018 season opener. It is the first shutout of a conference opponent since stymieing the Lobos, 42-0, back on Oct. 29, 2011. The Falcons have now won nine-straight against UNM (0-4, 0-4 MW) at home, and three-straight overall.
For the game, Air Force out-gained New Mexico by a 422-304 tally, including a 356-83 difference on the ground. The Falcons went 9-of-13 on third down, compared to a 4-for-13 mark for the Lobos. Despite running just one more play than UNM, Air Force dominated the time of possession, 36:29-23:31.
Leading the way on offense was sophomore fullback Brad Roberts, as he had a career-day, rushing 28 times for 177 yards and three touchdowns. Behind him was another career-best effort, this one from senior fullback Matthew Murla, as he gained 64 yards on just seven carries. The other touchdown came on the legs of sophomore quarterback Haaziq Daniels, as he added 55 yards on 12 carries, while also going a near-flawless 4-of-5 passing for 66 yards.
On defense, freshman Johnathan Youngblood led the team in tackles with a career-best eight stops, including one for loss and two QB hurries. The Falcons kept the pressure up all night, totaling two sacks, three tackles for loss, four QB hurries and four pass breakups. AF also forced two turnovers, improving their record to 24-4 over the last seven seasons when forcing two or more turnovers.
New Mexico took the opening kick and proceeded to drive quickly into AF territory. They eventually made it to the 35 before a holding penalty stalled the drive and the defense forced a punt. Starting at their own 14, AF embarked on their first drive of the game.
Five steady runs in a row gave AF two first downs and got the ball near midfield. Then Murla had two long rushes of 14 and 25 to get the offense in a goal to go situation. One play later, Daniels capped off the 11-play drive with a four-yard TD run to open the scoring and make it 7-0 AF.
The next drive for UNM went three-and-out, and AF took over at their own 28. This time Daniels got it going with his arm, completing passes of 14 and 28, both on third down, to get the Falcons moving as the first quarter came to an end.
Starting the second quarter at the UNM 22, Daniels scooted 17 yards around the end to get to the five. On the next play, Roberts went untouched up the middle for the score, making it 14-0 AF early in the second.
On the Lobos' ensuing possession, they got some momentum going again, driving down to the AF 40 before the defense forced a turnover. On a screen pass, junior Caleb Humphrey ripped the ball free from the receiver and sophomore Kalawai'a Pescaia jumped on it to give AF possession back at their own 34.
Air Force took full advantage of the turnover, driving the 66 yards on nine plays to find the end zone for the third time. Roberts capped off the drive with his second rushing score of the game, this one from 12 yards out, to make it a 21-0 game with 6:13 left to the half.
The teams then traded empty possessions, giving the Lobos the ball with 1:18 left on the clock. They drove into AF territory and attempted a 50-yard field goal, but it was partially tipped by senior Michael Purcell, and fell well short to keep it a shutout at the half. The block kept a streak going for the Falcons, as they have blocked at least one kick in each of Troy Calhoun's 14 seasons as head coach.
Both teams traded possessions to start the second half before UNM got their first break of the game, as they forced and recovered a fumble on the AF 24. Despite the excellent field position, a nine-yard sack by senior George Silvanic and a five-yard penalty pushed the Lobos back and forced a long field goal. The try from 51 yards sailed wide right, maintaining the shutout.
UNM forced a second-straight fumble on AF's next possession, this time recovering at the Falcon 43. The Lobos gained enough yards to get back into field goal territory, but the kick once again sailed just right, maintaining the 21-0 score with 2:23 left in the third quarter.
The Lobo defense continued hunting for the ball on the next drive, forcing and recovering a third-straight fumble, and this time taking possession at the AF 18. Like déjà vu, the defense backed up the UNM offense with a penalty and tackle for loss, forcing yet another field goal. Like the three previous, this one was also no good to end the third quarter with the 21-0 tally.
Air Force had a stellar drive to start the fourth stanza, rushing the ball 12 times and going 73 yards, while chewing up almost seven minutes of game clock. However, the drive stalled out on the UNM four-yard line, and the Falcons turned the ball over on downs.
The Falcons returned the favor on UNM's ensuing drive, getting a big sack for a loss of 13 by junior Brandon Gooding to force a turnover on downs and give the Falcons the ball on the Lobo 44 with 5:47 to play. AF wasted no time on offense, as on the next play from scrimmage, Roberts dashed the 44 yards into the end zone for his third score of the game to make it 28-0.
From there, UNM was stopped on offense once again on their final possession, as an interception on the goal line from junior Corvan Taylor secured the shutout. His second pick of the season allowed the Falcons to run out the clock and secure the 28-0 victory.
Air Force will be back in action from Falcon Stadium next week for a Thanksgiving tilt against in-state rival Colorado State, Thursday, Nov. 26. Kickoff against the Rams is set for noon.
Team Stats
NM
AF
Total Yards
304
422
Pass Yards
221
66
Rushing Yards
83
356
Penalty Yards
70
42
1st Downs
19
23
3rd Downs
4
9
4th Downs
0
1
TOP
23:31
36:29
1st Quarter
NM 0, AF 7
AF - DANIELS, Haaziq 4 yd run (SCHUETTPELZ-ROH kick), 11 plays, 86 yards, TOP 5:55
2nd Quarter
NM 0, AF 14
AF - ROBERTS, Brad 5 yd run (SCHUETTPELZ-ROH kick), 10 plays, 72 yards, TOP 4:48
NM 0, AF 21
AF - ROBERTS, Brad 12 yd run (SCHUETTPELZ-ROH kick), 9 plays, 66 yards, TOP 5:07
4th Quarter
NM 0, AF 28
AF - ROBERTS, Brad 44 yd run (SCHUETTPELZ-ROH kick), 1 plays, 44 yards, TOP 0:09
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
4
TD
0
YDS
66
INT
0
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Football
OLB
/ Football
OLB
/ Football
FB
/ Football
NG
/ Football
DL
/ Football
RB
/ Football
DT
/ Football
DB
/ Football
FB
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