AIR FORCE ACADEMY — The scheduled tune-up brought the Air Force Falcons out for a test drive Saturday at Falcon Stadium.
For most of the test, the Falcons purred along on the way to a 41-7 victory, but at times Air Force backs had trouble holding on to the ball, although there was just one turnover. The loss was Southern Utah’s 19th in a row.
Quarterback Shea Smith made his debut as Air Force’s starter at quarterback and turned in a solid performance. Included in his 165 yards of total offense were his first collegiate rushing touchdown on a 1-yard run and his first collegiate passing touchdown on a 1-yard pass to tight end Keith Madsen.
While the Air Force offense had a good beginning without last year’s stalwarts Chad Hall and Shaun Carney, Air Force’s defense was the star of the game. Air Force defenders chalked up two safeties, the first time in school history, and forced two Southern Utah fumbles that were converted into 10 points.
