Falcons grind out a victory of Cowboys

It took nearly 45 minutes but the Air Force Falcons (4-3, 3-1 Mountain West) were able to finally get on the board in a 10-0 victory over the Wyoming Cowboys (4-3, 2-1) at home.  Erik Soderberg kicked a 29 yard field goal with 37 seconds remaining in the third quarter to give the Falcons a 3-0 lead in a sloppy game by both teams.  Four minutes later Jared Tew ran it in from 17 yards out to conclude the scoring for the Falcons and the game.  The Falcons have now won three in row over the Cowboys.

Neither team had much luck moving the ball as tough defense and penalties bogged down drives all game long.  Wyoming was flagged 10 times for 71 yards while Air Force was penalized 13 times for 125 yards. 

Tim Jefferson got the start at QB for the Falcons but was mostly ineffective.  Coach Troy Calhoun put in Connor Dietz for the second half  and  was able to get the Falcons in rhythm and grab the victory.  Calhoun had been mum all week on who would start at QB for the Falcons. 

Jared Tew lead the Falcons with 27 carries for 105 yards.  Air Force totaled 269 yards for the game with only two coming through the air.  The Falcons defense held the Pokes to 174 yards for the game.

Wyoming was never able to break inside the Falcons 30 yard line.  Their only scoring threat came on a 47 yard field goal that was blocked with time expiring at the end of the first half.  Austyn Carta-Samuels was 14/31 for only 76 yards and interception.  David Leonard continued to be one of the targets in the NCAA as he grabbed a team leading seven receptions for 36 yards. 

The Cowboy defense held Air Force down for the most of the game.  Brian Hendricks finished with 23 tackles for Wyoming and John Fletcher added two sacks.  Hendricks looks to be the shoe in for defensive player of the week, well unless Utah's DB Robert Johnson has another three interception game.

Air Force had two other chances to score but failed on 4th and Goal situations in both halves, but for some reason on fourth and goal Troy Calhoun calls for a fade route instead of running the fullback dive or some type of run option which is their play. 

One statsically oddity was the penalties which happened a lot in this game as Wyoming had ten for 71 yards while, Air Force had 13 for 12 yards.Air Force travels to Utah next week while Wyoming has the week off.