Big first half leads to 48-14 win over UNLV

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – A big first half led Air Force to a 48-14 win over UNLV in the final regular-season game, Friday, Nov. 26, at Falcon Stadium.

With the win, Air Force tied Utah State for the Mountain Division title with a 6-2 league record. Utah State won the Mountain Division and will play in the Mountain West championship game, based on the Aggies 49-45 win over Air Force on Sept. 18.

Air Force concludes the regular-season with a 9-3 overall record, the sixth time in Troy Calhoun's 15 seasons with nine or more wins. The win marks the sixth straight victory on Thanksgiving weekend at home.

UNLV's struggles began on the opening kickoff as Falcon sophomore Corey Collins forced and recovered a fumble at UNLV 14. Brad Roberts carried the ball three straight times, the third being a one-yard scoring run for a 7-0 lead at 13:43 of the third quarter.

UNLV's second drive marched into Air Force territory. However, Jordan Jackson sacked quarterback Justin Rogers and forced a fumble. Alec Mock recovered it at the UNLV 46. Air Force turned that turnover into a touchdown as well as Roberts scored from three yards out for a 14-0 lead at 4:45 of the first quarter.

The Rebels drove inside the Falcon 20 late in the first quarter. On a fourth-and seven play, the Rebels faked a field goal, but could not convert. Trey Taylor and Tre Bugg tackled the holder, Evan Silva, on the play and the Falcons took over at the Air Force 18-yard line.

Sophomore quarterback Zachary Larrier led the Falcons down the field, with runs of 15 and 18 yards on the drive. Kicker Matthew Dapore was good from 37 yards out for a 17-0 lead at 7:02 of the second quarter. The teams traded punts on the next couple possessions before Brandon Lewis took a pitch around the right end 41 yards for a touchdown and a 24-0 lead the half.

Air Force received the second half kickoff and drove 75 yards in eight plays, capped by Larrier's first career touchdown. His 12-yard scoring run gave the Falcons a 31-0 lead at 10:40 of the third quarter.

The Falcon defense forced a three-and-out on the Rebels' next possession and the offense converted in three plays. Fullback Emmanuel Michel went 64 yards on the first play from scrimmage. After a two-yard run, Michel finished the drive with a two-yard run for a 38-0 lead at 8:09 of the third quarter.
UNLV got on the board on its next possession. Rogers completed a deep pass to Zyell Griffin to the Air Force one-yard line. Charles Williams did the rest to cut the Falcon lead to 38-7 at 7:37 of the third quarter.

Air Force took its next possession 52 yards on nine plays as Dapore hit a 38-yard field goal with 2:04 left in the third quarter for a 41-7 advantage. Each team scored late in the fourth quarter to make up the final margin. Quarterback Jensen Jones gave the Falcons a 48-7 lead with an eight-yard scoring run with 6:48 remaining. On UNLV's next possession, Williams broke free for a 72-yard run, but was tackled by James Jones at the one-yard line. Williams scored on the next play as the Rebels trailed 48-14 with 6:18 left in the game. Air Force ran out the clock on its next possession to end the game.

The Falcons rushed for a season-high 511 yards in the game and Air Force did not attempt or complete a pass in the game for the first time since playing Hawaii in 2012.
Five different Falcons had rushing touchdowns on the day. Michel led the Falcons with 123 yards rushing while fellow fullback Roberts had 92 yards and two touchdowns. Larrier had a career high 80 yards rushing and one score.

Air Force will now await a bowl invitation on Sunday, Dec. 5.

--30--

Footer

The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the u.s air force of non-u.s. government sites or the information, products, or services contained therein. Although the u.s. air force may or may not use these sites as additional distribution channels for department of defense information, it does not exercise editorial control over all of the information that you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this website.

Next Event

Team Stats

Players Mentioned

Matthew Dapore

Jordan Jackson

Jensen Jones

Zac Larrier

Brandon Lewis

Emmanuel Michel

Alec Mock

Brad Roberts

Trey Taylor