Air Force Rumbles Past San Jose State, 45-20

Staring down a 10-point deficit, Air Force scored 35 unanswered points to rally to a 45-20 win at San Jose State in Mountain West football action Friday night at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif. The Falcons improved to 4-0 on the season for the first time since 2016 and are 2-0 in conference play with the road win.

San Jose State (1-4, 0-1 MW) took a 20-10 lead with 3:24 to go in the second quarter after a one-yard touchdown run by Kairee Robinson.

It was all Air Force from that point. The Falcons began the rally with a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that made it a three-point game with 25 seconds to go in the second. Air Force went on to score touchdowns on its first four possessions in the second-half to turn the game into a blowout.

The Falcons racked up a season-high 400 yards rushing, with the duo of running backs Emmanuel Michel and John Lee Eldridge III combining for 250 yards and five touchdowns. Michel carried 33 times for 148 yards and three touchdowns. Eldridge III ran for 102 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns.

San Jose State opened the game with a touchdown on its first drive, taking a 6-0 lead after the missed PAT. The Falcons came back and got on the board with a 30 yard field goal by sophomore Reagan Tubbs, who was making his first-career start at kicker.

The Falcons went up 10-6 after a 17-yard touchdown run by Michel. San Jose State went back ahead on a 29-yard TD run by Robinson and then made it 20-10 after Robinson's second TD.

Air Force opened the second half with a 15-play, 75-yard drive, capped by a five-yard touchdown run by Eldridge III to put the Falcons up for good at 24-20. The Falcon defense forced a three-and-out on the ensuing Spartan drive and the offense then churned out a 13-play touchdown drive. Air Force tacked on two more touchdowns, while shutting San Jose State out in the second half.

SJSU quarterback Chevan Cordero was 24-for-35 passing for 239 yards. Robinson finished with 82 yards rushing on seven carries.

Air Force was led on defense by senior free safety Trey Taylor. Taylor registered a season-high eight tackles and had a 51-yard interception return.

Air Force returns to action next Saturday, Sept. 30, hosting San Diego State. The game is at 6 pm MT and will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

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Team Stats

Zac Larrier

Players Mentioned

John Lee Eldridge III

Emmanuel Michel

Trey Taylor

Reagan Tubbs

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