Falcons fall to Colorado State, 21-13

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Late momentum for the Air Force football team on Saturday night (Oct. 19) against Colorado State proved not enough to overcome a three-score deficit, as the Falcons fell, 21-13, ceding the Ram-Falcon Trophy to CSU at Falcon Stadium.

Sophomore quarterback Josh Johnson made his first career start and third appearance for Air Force, but it was junior John Busha that got the bulk of the Falcons' snaps on Saturday, who went 10-for-25, throwing for 175 yards on the evening and resetting career bests in all categories.

The Falcons posted season highs in attempts (26) and receptions (10) and had the second most passing yards (175) this season. Five Falcons recorded receptions, with running back Taylor Lathem earning a team-best, and career best, 51 yards on three catches and a score.

Air Force rushed for 173 yards on 54 carries. Junior fullback Dylan Carson led the team, earning a season-high 60 yards on 12 attempts.

The opening drive saw CSU (4-3, 2-0 MW) go six plays for 73 yards into scoring territory, but Ram running back Avery Morrow was forced into a fumble on the Falcons' two-yard line by senior defensive back Camby Goff, which was recovered by Falcon linebacker Osaro Aihie.

Both teams went scoreless into the second quarter, where the stalemate was eventually broken as Colorado State completed a three-play, 41-yard drive with a 23-yard strike to tight end Vince Brown II to gain a 7-0 lead. After the ensuing kickoff, CSU forced a fumble and at the Air Force 28-yard line. Five plays later, Ram running back Jalen Dupree found the Falcon end zone to leave Air Force down two scores with 2:47 remaining in the half.

With five seconds remaining in the second quarter, senior Air Force kicker Matthew Dapore took a 45-yard field goal attempt to end the half, but his attempt was blocked by CSU defensive lineman Gabe Kirschke to send the Falcons into the locker room without a score.

At 11:12 in the third quarter on a CSU third and five, Rams' signal caller Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi found receiver Caleb Goodie for a one-handed grab on a slant up the middle, taking it 85 yards, resulting in a 21-0 Air Force deficit.

With 13:20 left in the final quarter, Air Force recovered a fumble forced by Jerome Gaillard Jr. on its own 28. The turnover breathed new life into the Falcons, as Busha, at the Falcons' 39 yard-line with 11:59 on the clock, scrambled right and found tight end Bruin Fleishman for a 38-yard reception to set up a 36-yard scramble for Latham into the end zone for Air Force's first score of the night.

After CSU punted with 9:48 remaining, Air Force mounted a 10-play, 75-yard drive for its second score of the quarter. Busha pushed into the Ram end zone on a second and goal on the Rams' one yard line. The Falcons attempted a two-point conversion, but were unsuccessful, leaving Air Force down 21-13 with 5:52 to go.

The Falcon defense again forced a CSU punt, giving the Falcons the ball with 1:42 remaining, Air Force converted a fourth down

ir Force, with an opportunity to earn the tying score, pushed 12 plays ad 24 yards, including a diving first down conversion for Busha on a fourth and two, but a last-ditch shot at the end zone from the Falcon 43 to Fleischman was swatted away as time expired.

Up Next:
Air Force Football (1-6, 0-4 MW) heads to West Point, N.Y. to take on Army at Michie Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 2.

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Team Stats

John Busha

Josh Johnson

Players Mentioned

Osaro Aihie

John Busha

Dylan Carson

Matthew Dapore

Camby Goff

Josh Johnson

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