Provo, Utah – Air Force quarterback Shaun Carney admitted he had just been through a rough game, but his description of what happened in a convincing 31-6 victory by Brigham Young was plenty rough as well.
“It didn’t help that they went up 7-0 right away,” Carney said. “It was just frustrating all the way. It seemed as if we were on the sidelines all game.”
There were plenty of facts behind Carney’s reasoning. Getting intercepted on Air Force’s first possession led to BYU’s 7-0 lead less than four minutes into the game. BYU also amassed a healthy 14:20 advantage in possession. It was plenty of time for Cougars quarterback Max Hall and running back Harvey Unga to take shots at the Air Force defense.
“We suffered through an unsmooth football game,” Carney said.
Whether the Falcons were flat seems unthinkable when considering Air Force came into the game confident there wouldn’t be another major breakdown in the face of the Cougars.
BYU had beaten the Falcons by an average of 19 points in the past three years.
But the outcome made it look as if it’s the same old thing for the Falcons and Cougars.
“In a way,” Carney answered when asked if was the same old story. “They are a very good and very physical team. They played very well today. They dominated all day.”
Carney ran for his health all game. He finished with just 5 yards rushing and 98 yards passing (10-of-21). He was sacked twice and surrendered the key early interception.
“This game was rough,” Carney said. “I took some shots. That’s what happens when you throw the ball that much.”
Full speed ahead
The first game in the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy competition is dead ahead as the Falcons play Saturday at Navy. They have lost to the Midshipmen the past four years.
Navy rallied Saturday to beat Duke, while the Falcons have to regroup following their first loss.
“It’s easy to stay up and be enthusiastic when you’re winning,” linebacker Drew Fowler said. “We lost to a good football team, but now we’re going to really find out what we’re made of.”
Carney said the goal remains a conference title even though it’s taken a bit of a hit.
“We’ve only got one loss and it’s doubtful that anyone will go through undefeated,” he said. “Navy’s very important for us to get some confidence back and keep moving forward. Beating Navy definitely is a goal, but it’s not an obsession.”
