Author: Jack Culberson
This week 6 matchup consisted of two Mountain West teams trying to get a conference win. Air Force was 4-1 coming into this game and they were 1-1 in conference play. Utah State was 1-4 coming into this game and they were searching for their first conference win of the season. Utah State ultimately defeated Air Force 34-27. Let’s take a closer look into this game.
Air Force received the ball first to begin this game, and their first drive ended in a punt. On Utah State’s first possession of the game, the Aggies were able to go 72 yards in 8 plays to score a touchdown. Cooper Legas’s 31 yard pass to Brian Cobbs for a touchdown gave the Aggies the early lead in this game. On their next possession, Air Force was able to respond to Utah State’s touchdown with one of their own. Brad Roberts concluded the 9 play 64 yard drive with a 1 yard touchdown run, and it made the score 7-7. Utah State’s next drive ended in a Connor Coles 30 yard field goal that gave the Aggies the 10-7 lead. The first quarter ended in the middle of Air Force’s next drive.
At the beginning of the second quarter, the Falcons were able to finish their drive off with a touchdown run from Haaziq Daniels for 1 yard. Air Force now led 14-10. Utah State was able to respond to the Falcons touchdown by making another 30 yard field goal. Air Force looked to extend their 1 point lead on their next possession, but it ended in a punt. On their next possession, Utah State looked to take the lead once again, but one of Cooper Legas’s passes were intercepted. When Air Force got the ball back, Haaziq Daniels kneed the ball to make time expire for halftime. Air Force led 14-13 heading into halftime.
To start the third quarter, Utah State got the ball and they punted after 3 plays. Air Force’s first possession of the third quarter resulted in kicker Matthew Dapore making a 40 yard field goal to make the score 13-17. On the Aggies next drive, they were able to drive 80 yards in 13 plays to go ahead 20-17. The drive ended with Calvin Tyler Jr.’s 21 yard touchdown run. The third quarter ended in the middle of Air Force’s next possession.
To open the fourth quarter, Air Force scored a 40 yard touchdown as Haaziq Daniels found Amari Terry for the score. The score was now 24-20. Utah State then marched 75 yards in 10 plays to reclaim the lead with a touchdown. Cooper Legas completed a 34 yard pass to Terrell Vaughn for the touchdown, and it made the score 24-27. On Air Force’s next possession, Jalen Johnson fumbled and it was recovered by Utah State’s Andre Grayson. The Aggies were able to capitalize off of this turnover as in 3 plays they were able to score a touchdown. This time Cooper Legas ran for the touchdown, and the score was now 24-34. Air Force needed to score on their next drive, but one of Haaziq Daniels’s passes was intercepted. The Air Force defense was able to get a stop on Utah State as the Aggies were forced to punt. Air Force needed to score on their next drive as well, and this time they were able to make a 51 yard field goal and put the game within one score. However, Air Force’s onside kick attempt failed and Utah State took back over on offense with 1:41 remaining. Utah State then ran out the clock to end the game. Utah State defeated Air Force 34-27.
Air Force had a very good rushing attack this game, but the passing game could not get the job done when it needed to. The Air Force played well, but turnovers killed them. If they can limit turnovers, this team can be a real contender in the Mountain West Conference.
Utah State was able to get a much needed conference win and this team elevated their play even further this week. If they can build momentum off of the win this week, great things can come for this football team.