AIR FORCE ACADEMY — Air Force converted two third-quarter interceptions into touchdowns tonight to race away from Colorado State 38-17.
The Rams’ third-quarter implosion at Falcon Stadium followed two strong offensive weeks and forces CSU (4-6, 2-4 Mountain West) in a must-win situation in the final two games for bowl eligibility.
The Falcons continue to pad their bowl resume, moving to 8-2 and 5-1 in the league and next play Saturday against No. 15 BYU then end the season Nov. 22 at TCU.
There were times Falcons freshman quarterback Tim Jefferson looked as good throwing against the Rams as BYU’s future NFL’er, Max Hall, did a week ago. The Rams didn’t have much success, either, against Air Force’s running attack.
CSU was driving to take its first lead in the third quarter when Ken Lamendola intercepted a Billy Farris pass at the 19. The Rams had kept the drive alive, converting a fourth-and-6 from the Falcons 41 with a 23-yard pass to Rashaun Greer.
Air Force freshman running back Asher Clark ran for his second TD of the game, a 45-yarder for a 28-17 lead with 9:25 to play in the third quarter. The surge further incited AFA’s defense. Linebacker Hunter Altman dumped Farris for seven-yard sack and Farris was picked off by cornerback Reggie Rembert, who returned it 17 yards to the CSU 9.
Jefferson needed just two plays to throw his second TD of the night, a 4-yard toss to tight end Travis Dekker for a led 35-17.
Air Force and Colorado State routinely waged back-and-forth battles through the first part of this decade. When Air Force emerged at halftime with a 21-17 lead, the game had the makings of the 2000 blizzard game won by AFA 44-40, albeit in much better weather.
The first half saw long drives — a 16-play CSU march consuming 8:25 that ended with a 23-yard field goal — and short drives, including the 74-yard pass play from Jefferson to Kyle Halderman.
Farris had plenty of time to find open receivers Rashaun Greer and Dion Morton. Gartrell Johnson carried 16 times in the first half to balance the offense.
Led by linebacker Ricky Brewer, the Rams drove Air Force back 20 yards on the opening drive. Then both defenses disappeared until a Falcons stand near the end of the first quarter.
Johnson was stopped for a yard gain from the 2, and his score on fourth-and-goal was negated by a delay of game. The Rams settled for a Jason Smith 23-yard field goal to pull within 21-17 with 1:38 left in the opening half.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
