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When the Air Force Falcons are running on all cylinders on offense, the worst thing a team can do is be undisciplined in any aspect of the game. Morgan State did just that, committing dead ball penalties and being out of position defensively most of the game. The lack of discipline by the Bears would help the Falcons cruise to a 63-7 victory in the 2015 season opener in Colorado Springs.
The Falcons were dominate in all three phases of the game against the FCS visitors. Offensively, Air Force came out right from the start establishing smash mouth fullback D.J. Johnson early and often. Johnson, who would finish the game with 11 carries for 82 yards, pounded the ball sucking in the safeties. The first Falcons score of the day would be a play-action pass from Nate Romine to Jalen Robinette from 26 yards out to jump up 7-0. After a missed Morgan State field goal, the Falcons marched right down the field with Johnson pounding the ball in from the three-yard line to go up 14-0.
On the third drive of the day, Air Force would see sophomore running back Benton Washington take the spotlight. Washington, who finished the day with 62 yards rushing on six carries would cap off the drive with a 13-yard touchdown to put the Falcons up 21-0. Washington was used in a variety of ways on the drive, including running a couple of fly sweeps which is a new twist in the Air Force offense.
The Falcons would hold defensively on Morgan State's next drive and then the Falcons' faithful would see something that hasn't happened for the team since 2009. Garrett Brown, who has a goal of gaining over 1,500 yards of total offense, would return a punt 75-yards for a touchdown. Brown would have a good opening day in his pursuit of 1,500 yards, rushing for 39 yards, having 58 yards in receptions and returning two punts for 83 yards. Morgan State would add a late touchdown before the half to make the score at the half 28-7.
Air Force would take the opening kick of the second half and march right down the field, with the other fullback in the dynamic duo, Shayne Davern, taking the ball in from the one-yard line. The sixth Air Force touchdown of the day would come off a play action pass from Romine (4 of 7 passing for 119 yards and 2 touchdowns) to senior wide receiver Alex Ludowig from 35 yards out to make the score 42-7.
The defensive touchdown scored by the Falcons would come on the very next play following the kickoff by the Falcons. Morgan state would throw a bubble screen that defensive back Roland Ladipo would jump and run back 22 yards for a touchdown. It was the first defensive touchdown for the Falcons since 2012.
Head coach Troy Calhoun would empty the bench at that point, yet the Falcons domination continued. Rushing touchdowns by Scott Hester and Timothy McVey would help push the final score to 63-7 for the easy Air Force victory. The Falcons rushing game would see 15 different players carry the ball and they would account for 394 yards on 63 attempts
The Falcons will now dive right into Mountain West Conference play when they host San Jose State next Saturday evening. The Spartans are coming off an impressive 43-13 victory over New Hampshire where they accounted for over 700 yards total offense. The game next week could be an offensive slugfest, and will kick off at 8:15 p.m. on ESPNU.