Air Force had a huge game from running back Anthony LaCoste as he rushed for 263 yards on 23 carries and scored three touchdowns on the day as the Falcons won 42-28. This win for the Falcons was their first against a FBS opponent all season, and not only was the offense on fire the Falcons defense had a big day as well.
Army did rush for 308 yards but the longest run of the day for the Black Knights was just a 20 yard run. The Falcons force Army to miss a pair of field goals, including one of them was blocked. Air Force held Army to go 5 of 13 on third downs and 1 of 3 on fourth downs. While Air Force gave up yards they were able to stop Army when it counted.
Freshman quarterback Nate Romine was a nice compliment to LaCoste's huge rushing day by completing 8 of 11 passes for 111 yards and rushed for another 33 yards with a touchdown, but more importantly they did not turn the ball over.
The game turned to Air Force's favor late in the second half. Army had just drove down the field on a 10-play drive that went 75 yards and lasted 4:32 for an Army touchdown. That score put Army up 21-14 with 1:58 left in the half, but then LaCoste happened. He took the first carry on that drive for 43 yards to put the Falcons on Army's own 29-yard line, and then Romine connected with Garrett Griffin on a 19-yard pass to be at Army's 3-yard line. Two plays later Romine scored his only score from 1-yard out.
Air Force took that momentum and score the first two touchdowns of the second half and lead 35-21 with 14:45 left in the game. The two teams traded scores the rest of the way, and Air Force secured the win as they forced Army to throw an incomplete pass on a 4th-and-3 play at their own 32.
Getting a win over Army will not help heal the wounds of a poor 2013 season but getting past one of their main rivals definitely gives the team some confidence. Other positives are that this game for Air Force was their best performance of the season.