Air Force Downed At Utah State, 49-30

Air Force football dropped its Mountain West-opener at Utah State (2-1, 1-0 MW) in a high-scoring 49-30 setback Saturday night at Maverik Stadium in Logan, Utah. The Falcons dropped to 1-1, 0-1 MW.

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.

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Players Mentioned

Owen Allen

Blake Fletcher

Cade Harris

Josh Johnson

Jacob Medina

Liam Szarka

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