Air Force Academy
1-1 , 0-1
Utah State
2-1 , 1-0
Air Force Downed At Utah State, 49-30
9/13/2025 11:45:00 PM | Football
Air Force struggled to contain the Utah State offense, as the Aggies racked up 469 yards of offense. The Falcons also committed three turnovers, which led to 14 points by USU. Utah State quarterback Bryson Barnes accounted for five touchdowns, three rushing and two throwing, while throwing for 287yards, Wide receiver Braden Pegan hauled in seven catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns.
The Falcons racked up 445 yards on offense, with 266 yards rushing and 179 passing. Reserve quarterback Liam Szarka ran for three touchdowns and senior wide receiver Cade Harris racked up 135 total yards of offense, leading the Falcons with 72 yards rushing and 62 receiving. Quarterback Josh Johnson also threw for 112 yards for Air Force.
Utah State got on the scoreboard first, taking advantage of an Air Force turnover with a seven-yard quarterback touchdown run by Barners to make it 7-0 Aggies.
Air Force responded with a 12-play drive that culminated with a 31-yard field goal by Jacob Medina to make it a 7-3 ballgame.
The Aggies then went up 14-3 as Barnes hit a wide open Pegan for a 54-yard touchdown strike early in the second quarter.
The Falcons came back with touchdown score of their own, as Szarka capped a 75-yard drive with a one-yard TD run to make it a 14-10 game.
Utah State took control of the game in the third quarter, out-scoring the Falcons 21-6 to take a 35-16 lead. Air Force scored a touchdown, as fullback Owen Allen ran one in from one yard out to cap a 13-play, 75 yard drive that chewed up seven minutes off the clock.
Air Force made it a 35-24 game after Szarka's second touchdown run and a successful two-point run by Harris. Utah State made it 42-24 after another touchdown run by Barnes and 49-24 after a 48-yard touchdown run by Javen James.
Junior linebacker Blake Fletcher led the Falcon defense with 11 tackles. Sophomore Roger Jones Jr. followed with a career-high eight tackles.
Air Force returns to action next Saturday, Sept. 20, hosting Boise State. Kickoff is 5 pm MT. The game will be televised by CBS Sports Network.
Team Stats
AFA 0, USU 7
USU - Barnes,Bryson 7 yd run (Rinker,Tanner kick), 5 plays, 27 yards, TOP 02:23
AFA 3, USU 7
AFA - Medina,Jacob 31 yd field goal 12 plays, 39 yards, TOP 05:38
AFA 3, USU 14
USU - Pegan,Braden 54 yd pass from Barnes,Bryson (Rinker,Tanner kick) 6 plays, 88 yards, TOP 01:44
AFA 10, USU 14
AFA - Szarka,Liam 1 yd run (Medina,Jacob kick), 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:59
AFA 10, USU 21
USU - Garcia,Anthony 17 yd run (Rinker,Tanner kick), 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:24
AFA 10, USU 28
USU - Barnes,Bryson 11 yd run (Rinker,Tanner kick), 5 plays, 73 yards, TOP 01:49
AFA 16, USU 28
AFA - Allen,Owen 1 yd run (), 13 plays, 75 yards, TOP 06:58
AFA 16, USU 35
USU - Pegan,Braden 38 yd pass from Barnes,Bryson (Rinker,Tanner kick) 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:56
AFA 24, USU 35
AFA - Szarka,Liam 1 yd run (Harris,Cade rush), 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:55
AFA 24, USU 42
USU - Barnes,Bryson 7 yd run (Rinker,Tanner kick), 7 plays, 33 yards, TOP 02:41
AFA 30, USU 42
AFA - Szarka,Liam 11 yd run (), 8 plays, 78 yards, TOP 02:19
AFA 30, USU 49
USU - Jacobs,Javen 52 yd run (Rinker,Tanner kick), 2 plays, 52 yards, TOP 00:14
