The Colorado State Rams had a real shot Saturday night to win at the Air Force Academy for the first time since 2002. But the Falcons ran all over the CSU defense and used a late fourth quarter takeaway to secure a 49-46 victory in Colorado Springs.
Dalyn Dawkins and the Rams’ offense got off to a blistering start, when the speedy running back busted through the Falcons’ defense for a 61-yard touchdown run.
It was a sign of things to come from both offenses.
Air Force came right back on their first possession and got a 10-yard touchdown from Tim McVey who would have an extraordinary night. But CSU would answer and make it 14-7 with an Izzy Matthews 3-yard touchdown plunge.
The second quarter began with the second touchdown run from McVey, this time one from six yards out to even the score at 14. Rams’ kicker Wyatt Bryan broke the tie with a 38-yard field goal.
On the Falcons’ next drive, it looked as though the green and gold might have figured things out defensively when Justin Sweet picked off Arion Worthman and went 27 yards for a touchdown. CSU had what would be their largest lead of the game at 24-14.
But Air Force put up 14 unanswered points to end the half, the first touchdown coming off a 54-yard scamper by Worthman. McVey notched his third trek to pay dirt with a 15-yard run with just 22 seconds remaining.
At the half, Air Force led 28-24.
The Falcons tacked on to their lead with another touchdown on their opening drive of the second half, pushing their lead to 35-24. Nick Stevens and the offense stormed back though with 14 unanswered points of their own.
In a matter of minutes, the Rams’ quarterback hit Robert Ruiz on an out route for a 9-yard touchdown before Dawkins made his way into the endzone for a 2-yard score. At 38-35, the Rams were in business late in the third quarter.
However, Tyler Williams got in on the scoring action when he ran in for 5-yard touchdown, propelling Air Force to a 42-38 lead heading into the final quarter.
The CSU defense was clearly wiped out at this point and McVey added yet another touchdown to his night, giving the Falcons a commanding 49-38 advantage.
With just under seven minutes to play, Stevens found Michael Gallup for a 7-yard touchdown and then again on the ensuing two-point conversion.
The scoreboard read 49-46 in favor of Air Force, but still with plenty of time. Linebacker Kevin Davis recorded a huge tackle on third down to force the Falcons to punt, leaving Stevens and company time to potentially go down for a game-tying field goal at the very least.
Stevens hit Gallup in stride on third down, but the Rams’ top receiver was stripped of the ball from behind. Air Force recovered the fumble and ran out the clock.
The contest ended up being the highest scoring game in the Air Force-CSU rivalry.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Michael Gallup – It’s like a broken record, but he just keeps on getting better. He finished with 13 receptions for 213 yards (both career highs) and a touchdown. It would be naive to knock his performance just because of the fumble at the end of the game.
Dalyn Dawkins – The starting running back paced the Rams’ rushing attack with 14 carries for 102 yards, including the long touchdown.
Nick Stevens – CSU had to throw the ball to keep up with the Falcons and Stevens did that all night long. The junior finished 22-of-29 for 374 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
BY THE NUMBERS
1,093 – The combined total net yards between the teams. CSU totaled 559, while Air Force had 534.
485 – Rushing yards for the Falcons, who were led by McVey’s 184 and Worthman’s 143.
14 – Conversions for Air Force on third and fourth downs, resulting in an 82 percent success rate (17 attempts)
LASTING IMPACT
CSU falls to 0-3 in rivalry games on the season and 5-5 overall. The Rams were the victims of some questionable calls in the game, including not getting a targeting or roughing the passer penalty called on Air Force when Stevens threw a critical interception. The Falcons would score a touchdown following the CSU turnover. Nevertheless, giving up 49 points and nearly 500 yards on the ground is inexcusable.
WHAT’S NEXT
Talk about a high-pressure game. The Rams will play the final game ever at Hughes Stadium with bowl game implications as New Mexico, another option team, comes to Fort Collins. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m.
