PROVO, Utah — While BYU senior quarterback Max Hall was carving up Air Force with five touchdown passes Saturday, AFA third-string quarterback Ben Cochran was collecting his wits in a surprise performance in place of injured starter Tim Jefferson.
“When T.J. took that shot, I wasn’t sure if he would be able to continue,” said Coch-ran, a junior from Dublin, Ga. “I was getting myself warmed up. I was preparing all week for that situation.”
Jefferson was injured with 3:10 left in the first quarter. He tried to come back early in the second quarter but threw an interception that led to a BYU touchdown. The Cougars won 38-21.
“He just didn’t seem as if he could hum the ball down the field,” AFA coach Troy Calhoun said of Jefferson, who suffered an injury at the back of his rib cage.
“It wasn’t a distraction,” AFA guard Peter Lusk said of losing Jefferson. “It hurts to lose a player anytime, especially a starting quarterback. We all knew Ben Cochran has done well in practice and preparing every week. It didn’t affect us as much as people might think. Our turnovers on offense really put our defense in a bad spot.”
Jefferson said he was hit in the back by a helmet.
“It was tough for me to throw the ball,” Jefferson said. “I couldn’t get much power behind it. Ben Coch-ran came in and did a great job managing the game.”
Not done yet.
Despite losing Saturday, the Falcons have one more game to play.
“We have a bowl game coming up,” linebacker Justin Moore said, “so it’s not over for me and the other 14 seniors.”
Bright spots.
Air Force’s defense had its moments against Hall and the Cougars, just not enough of them.
Defensive backs Chris Thomas and Anthony Wright made interceptions. Linebacker Andre Morris forced a fumble. Nose guard Ben Garland blocked a field goal.
Safety Jon Davis led in tackles with 11, followed by Morris’ nine and eight each by Luke Hyder, John Falgout and Moore.
