Falcons Fall in Final Seconds to Army

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Air Force Football, tied with Army West Point in the final minute on Saturday afternoon, was unable to hold on in the waning seconds, falling 20-17, to the Black Knights on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Falcon Stadium.

In a game which the tally never got beyond a single possession, Air Force (2-6, 1-4 MW) found itself running in the tying score with just over a minute remaining in the game. On the final drive, Army (3-5, 2-3 American) established itself in field goal territory and drove home the go-ahead field goal as time expired for the win.

Sophomore quarterback Liam Szarka totaled 252 total yards of offense on the day. He closed out Saturday 13-17 in the air for 161 yards passing and paced Air Force in rushing attempts (29) and yards (91). Totaling 174 rushing yards as a team, Air Force extended the nation's longest active streak of consecutive 100-yard (93 games). On defense, junior linebacker Blake Fletcher led Air Force with nine total tackles (five solo).

The Falcons trailed 7-3 at the close of the first quarter. After a pair of stalled drives for both teams, Tubbs opened scoring on a 52-yard field goal at the 2:55 mark, marking a career long and his fifth scoring play this season. Army mustered a response on the resulting drive, completing a 40-yard strike to senior Noah Short to buy a one-score Army advantage.

After ceding just a field goal in the second quarter, Air Force, with a chance to tie on the final possession before halftime, fell short. With eight seconds to go on the Army 23-yard line, Szarka's endzone attempt to senior Cade Harris was broken up. Air Force settled for a 30-yard field goal attempt to close the half, but the attempt was no good, leaving the Falcons with a 10-3 deficit heading into the locker room.

Closing out the third quarter, Air Force dialed up 12 plays, 65 yards and rushed for 48 to find the end zone for the first time on Saturday. On third and three in the final seconds of the quarter, Szarka punched through for the 10-10 tying score and his tenth rushing touchdown this season.

Army, regaining possession to open the fourth quarter, answered with the longest drive of the day, going 13 plays, 75 yards to regain the lead at 17-10.

On Air Force's answering drive, the Falcons converted a fourth and six and looked to threaten a late score, but an untimely sack fumble on Szarka was recovered by Army, leaving the Falcons on defense and down a touchdown with just 3:11 to go in the game. The Air Force defense gifted the Falcons with a second chance to tie, holding Army to a failed fourth-and one attempt at their own 26, returning possession to the Falcons in Army territory with 2:19 to go. Szarka, from the Army two-yard line, scored on the ground for the second time to even the score at 17-17 with 1:26 to go in the game.

Needing to hold the opposition scoreless to force overtime, Army quarterback Cale Hellums found sophomore receiver Brady Anderson 42-yards downfield with 24 seconds to go, setting up the go-ahead field goal for a 20-17 Army victory.

Air Force led Army in total offense (335), rushing yards (174), first downs (22), total plays (68) and time of possession (34:04).

Up Next:
Air Force travels to San Jose State on Sat., Nov. 8. The game, which kicks at 3 pm PT, will be broadcast on FS1.

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Team Stats

Liam Szarka

Players Mentioned

Blake Fletcher

Cade Harris

Liam Szarka

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