Fresno State 48, Air Force 15: Conference Champs At Last

It was a big day for the Bulldogs and the result of the game was fitting: domination from start to finish. On Senior Day, Fresno State clinched a share of the Mountain West conference title by defeating Air Force 48-15 in a game that was broken open almost immediately. It was the 'Dogs' first conference championship since 1999.

After stopping Air Force on their opening drive, Fresno State pulled some trickery with a triple pass from Derek Carr to Greg Watson, back to Carr and then to Isaiah Burse, who scrambled 26 yards downfield for a first down. On the following play, Carr tossed a quick out to Davante Adams, who juked a Falcon defender out of his shoes and took it 64 yards for the touchdown, setting the tone for this game. By halftime, the score was 31-7, Air Force's only points having come following a botched exchange between center Richard Helepiko and Carr, and the Bulldogs having added a FG from Quentin Breshears, passing touchdowns from Carr to Isaiah Burse and Marcel Jensen, plus a Tim-Tebow Style jump pass from Robbie Rouse (that's right, Robbie Rouse) to Marcel Jensen.

In the second half, the Bulldogs put on a show and gave their departing seniors some fun. Senior Linebackers Shawn Plummer and Travis Brown were both given carries out of a wishbone offense lineup, and Fresno State even ran a version of the "fumblerooski". Greg Watson added a rushing touchdown and Adams made another AFA defender look silly on a reception to add the final touchdown, both in the third quarter. Air Force's final points came on an Anthony Lacoste TD run from 5 yards out with 2:51 left in the fourth quarter, who also added the 2-point conversion.

Carr finished the game 28 for 32 with 452 yards and four touchdowns, with a ridiculous 247.4 QB rating. Davante Adams solidified his candidacy for Freshman All-American Status with 9 catches for 141 yards and two touchdowns (Leaving him with 89 for 1168 and 13 TD!), while Isaiah Burse added 7 catches of his own for 158 yards. Robbie Rouse, Fresno State's all-time leading rusher, went out with a bang, adding 25 carries for 106 yards. Phillip Thomas had six tackles, 1.5 for loss, a sack and a forced fumble.

For Air Force, Conner Dietz was 2/4 for 32 yards and a touchdown. Cody Getz got the lion's share of the carries with 19 for 82 yards. Numerous other players added carries. The Falcons finished with 254 rushing yards on 68 carries.

The Bulldogs await their bowl invitation. The most likely destinations appear to be the Las Vegas Bowl or the Hawaii Bowl. Air Force has already accepted an invitation to the Armed Forces Bowl.