Air Force Unable To Finish Rally In 20-14 Setback to #22/21 San Diego State

USAFA, Colo. – A last-ditch comeback attempt proved too little too late for Air Force, as the Falcons four-game win streak was snapped after a 20-14 loss to #22 San Diego State.
Starting quarterback Haaziq Daniels was knocked out of the game in the third quarter with an undisclosed injury. Daniels finished the evening with 50 yards rushing on nine carries, and was 2-8 through the air with nine passing yards.

Warren Bryan entered at quarterback following Daniels' exit and played admirably. Bryan managed 24 rushing yards on nine carries and was 3-7 with 58 yards passing.
In spite of poor starting field position for much of the night, the Falcon defense did all it could to keep its team in striking distance. Trey Taylor recorded 11 tackles to lead all players, with Jordan Jackson managing a sack and two tackles for loss.

Air Force entered tonight's game owning the nation's top-ranked rushing attack (336.4 YPG), while coincidentally matching up against the Aztecs top-ranked rushing defense (61.2 YPG). The clash up front saw the Falcons best the Aztecs season margin, though the Air Force offense was not its typical self. San Diego State limited Air Force to only four carries of 10+ yards while the Falcons converted just 4 of 16 third-down tries.

The game began ominously for Air Force, as the Falcons third play from scrimmage resulted in an Aztec interception. San Diego State eventually converted the turnover into an early 3-0 lead.
To open the second quarter, Air Force attempted to convert a 4^th & 1 at their own 44-yard line, though the San Diego State defense negated the play for a two-yard loss. The Aztecs used the turnover on downs to their advantage, stringing together a 12-play drive. Kaegun Williams plunged into the endzone from a yard out to extend the SDSU lead to 10-0 with 8:42 remaining in the half.
Air Force's ensuing possession ended after a DeAndre Hughes fumble on a 3^rd & 7 swing pass. The Aztecs again converted the turnover into points, as Matt Araiza's 51-yard field goal stretched the lead to 13-0.

San Diego State deferred to the second half, and needed only seven plays out of the locker room to find a touchdown, as Air Force trailed 20-0 with 11:05 left on the third quarter clock.
On their second drive of the final half, the Falcons began to find an offensive rhythm. Air Force concluded an 11-play, 57-yard drive with Bryan connecting with Dalton King for a 13-yard touchdown that was initially ruled an incomplete pass on the field. After review, the score was overturned, breathing life into the home sideline, as Air Force cut the deficit to 20-7.

After forcing a San Diego State punt, Air Force again marched down the field down the field. A 15-play, 89-yard drive was punctuated by a Dane Kinamon rushing touchdown on 4^th & goal from the three-yard line, as the Falcons turned what was once a three-score game into a one-possession game with four minutes left.

The Air Force defense created a three-and-out on the following SDSU drive, with the Falcons regaining possession of the football at their own 11-yard line with 2:18 remaining. On 3^rd & 10, Bryan found Brandon Lewis for a 14-yard pickup, though the play was brought back after the Falcons were flagged for a chop block. Falcons head coach Troy Calhoun opted to punt, hoping to rely on his two remaining timeouts to extend the game.

However, the Aztecs needed only two plays to pick up a first down and kill the remaining clock.

Air Force will look to wrap-up the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy next Saturday as the Falcons play Army in the Commander's Classic at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:30 am MT.

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