Late Fumble Seals Fate for Air Force

Air Force Falcons fell to the Minnesota Golden Gophers 13-20 in the TCF Bank home opener.  Air Force hopes were diminished by Nate Tripletts 52 yard fumble recovery for a touchdown early in the 4^th quarter.  The Gophers went on to score 17 points in the final frame after trailing 10-3.

Air Force kicked a field goal with 1:12 remaining and attempted an onside kick.  Minnesota recovered and ran out the clock giving them a 2-0 start to the season.  A 9 play 72 yard drive to start the 4^th quarter helped lift Minnesota over the Falcons (1-1).

Eric Decker led the Gopher offensive attack with ten catches for 113 yards.  DeLeon Eskridge was their leading rusher with 7 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown.

The Falcons rushing attack put up 261 yards on the day with a 4 yard average per carry.  Asher Clark lead them with 7.5 yards per carry on the ground for 90 yards total.  Air Force QB Tim Jefferson was forced to go to the air 17 times on the day because the Falcons fell behind in the 4^th quarter.

The play of the game was when Air Force fumbled and Minnesota's Nathan Triplett picked it up and ran it back for a touchdown.  That sealed the game by giving Minnesota a seven point lead late in the game.

For further recap head over to The Daily Gopher