Seattle – Without a prayer, the Air Force Falcons reached down and found their will to win effectively Saturday, turning what appeared to be a sure defeat into a win and a frustrating debut for Washington coach Tyrone Willingham.
Down by 11 in the fourth quarter and with the ball on their 1-yard line, the Falcons stormed back for two touchdowns and a stunning come-from-behind, 20-17 victory over Washington in front of 26,482 at Qwest Field.
“I prayed a lot to myself,” Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry said of not being allowed to lead his team in prayer before the game for the first time in his 22 years as coach, because of new academy regulations.
With poor field position and down 11 points with 10 minutes left in the game, Falcons reserve quarterback Adam Fitch soon found receiver Greg Kirkwood with an 84-yard pass to cut Washington’s lead to 17-13. Starter Shaun Carney then returned to action, taking the Falcons on a game-winning 83-yard drive, capped by his 1-yard sneak.
The Huskies still had 34 seconds, but it wasn’t enough. Quarterback Isaiah Stanback’s Hail Mary pass from the Washington 38-yard line was batted away by Air Force safety Bobby Giannini.
DeBerry said the use of both Fitch and Carney was part of his strategy and it worked – maybe even better than he could have prayed for.
“We had a moment of silence before the game to be thankful for the opportunity of competing,” DeBerry said. “There was a will to win and that’s what I like about this team.”
While the long pass play from Fitch to Kirkwood got the Falcons back into the game, there wasn’t a bigger play in the game than Fitch’s first-down pass to receiver Jason Brown on the first play at the 1-yard line.
The completion got Air Force out to the 9-yard line, and three plays later, Fitch hit the bomb to Kirkwood, who had worked his way behind the Washington secondary. But after completing a critical two-point conversion pass to tight end Robert McMenomy, the Falcons had to settle for place-kicker Scott Eberle’s one point when the pass play was called back by a penalty for an illegal block. The loss of the point set up the possibility that Washington could have tied the game at the end with a field goal.
“I just told everybody that we had to get the ball out of here and get it out fast,” Fitch said of the huddle.
Carney called the strategy a tag team. Adam came in and did a great job and I came in and cleaned it up.”
Carney finished with nine completions on 14 attempts for 107 yards. Fitch chipped in 4-of-8 for 100 yards and the touchdown. Carney also led Air Force’s running game with 69 yards and the game-winning touchdown on a quarterback sneak. His third-down, 14-yard pass to Kirkwood to the 1-yard line set up the winning points.
The Huskies’ Stanback was 19-of-27 for 242 yards and a touchdown.
“It didn’t look too good, but our team wasn’t going to be denied,” DeBerry said.
For Washington coach Willingham, the loss was a bitter setback for his Huskies’ debut. The Huskies were 1-10 last year and looking for a fresh start.
“We told our team the truth,” Willingham said. “We were close but close doesn’t get you anything. Our defense was on the field all day. That had an impact on the game.”
AFA SIDELINES
KEY STATISTIC
2
The Falcons overcame a 2-0 deficit in turnovers and won the game.
UNSUNG HERO
Spence comes up big for Falcons
Air Force linebacker Overton Spence played a huge role for the gritty Falcons defense Saturday against Washington, by recording nine tackles, three for losses.
KEY PLAY
TD pass sparks Falcons
No question, the 84-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Adam Fitch to Greg Kirkwood.
TURNING POINT
Defense sets winning stage
After the Fitch to Kirkwood pass, Air Force’s defense forced the Huskies to punt the ball. The Falcons started the winning drive with 5:55 left in the game.
Staff writer Irv Moss can be reached on 303 820-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
