Turnovers fuel Air Force Football to 21-6 win over Merrimack

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – In its home opener, the Air Force football team earned a 21-6 win over first-time opponent Merrimack at Falcon Stadium, Saturday, Aug. 31.

The Falcons (1-0, 0-0 MW) netted 166 rushing yards and 71 yards passing in the contest. Sophomore running back Owen Allen led eight separate rushers with 63 yards on 16 carries.

Junior quarterback John Busha, in just his fifth career game and first career start, finished 6-for-14 passing for 71 while adding nine attempts on the ground for 37 rushing yards. All six receptions were to different receivers; Junior receiver Tre Roberson and senior running back Aiden Calvert's receptions both led the team at 21 yards.

The Falcon defense forced four fumbles in the game, recovering three and converting two into touchdowns. Senior linebacker Grant Uyl led Air Force with a career-best six total tackles and three solo; Junior nose tackle Payton Zdroik logged four tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and the Falcons' one sack of the day.

After a roughing the kicker penalty extended Merrimack's opening drive, Air Force corrected the early misstep behind a fumble forced by sophomore linebacker David Santiago to recover possession on the Warriors' 38. The turnover resulted in a 13-play, 38-yard Air Force drive, culminating in junior receiver Cade Harris earning his fifth-career touchdown on a third-and-goal pitch out to the left, ending in a 7-0 Air Force lead.

The first quarter ended on a stifled Merrimack fourth-and-one attempt at midfield in which quarterback Malakai Anthony attempted to rush out to the left side and was tackled for a four-yard loss by Zdroik.

A sack-fumble forced by Zdroik in the final minutes of the second quarter nearly resulted in another forced turnover, but Merrimack was able to recover the loose ball. Coming out of the two-minute warning on fourth and five at the Falcon 19, Warrior kicker Carlton Thai's 36-yard FG attempt was no good. Air Force then went on an 11-play, 80-yard drive – highlighted by a 21-yard pass to Tre Roberson and followed up by Harris' second scoring rush of the game with seconds remaining awarded the Falcons with a 14-0 lead at halftime.

Heading into the locker room, Air Force owned a 10-3 advantage in first downs, had held the Merrimack offense to 0-for-6 in third-down-or-later scenarios and had only committed one foul for a 15-yard loss compared to the Warriors' eight, costing them 64 yards.

At the 11:43 mark in the fourth quarter at the Merrimack 15, Anthony's pass out to the left to RB Jermaine Corbett was stripped by Grant Uyl and recovered by Luke Fisher. Air Force converted the turnover into its third touchdown of the game as Calvert scored with 8:31 to go.

Merrimack walked off with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jalen McDonald as time expired to avoid a shutout.

Air Force improves to 48-19-2 in season openers all-time, 42-8 in season openers at home and 28-0 all-time against FCS opponents. The Falcons have won 17 straight and 18 of last 20 season openers at home.

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