AIR FORCE ACADEMY — With a sharp second half, the Air Force Falcons put today’s opener against Northwestern State of Louisiana in perspective.
Maybe it took a wake-up call from the underdog Demons, but the Falcons were a different team in the second half after leading by just three points at halftime. When it was over, the Falcons had a convincing 65-21 victory — a nice springboard to facing BYU next Saturday in their Mountain West Conference opener.
The Falcons drove 80 yards with the second-half kickoff. Receiver Jonathan Warzeka began the onslaught of 31 consecutive points that left Air Force in command 52-21 going into the fourth period.
After the big third period, Air Force linebacker Brady Amack put up one for the Air Force defense with an interception just outside the Air Force goal line to halt Northwestern State’s only scoring threat of the second half.
Air Force quarterback Tim Jefferson took a seat after the third period, leaving with 179 yards passing and two touchdowns, as well as 59 yards rushing, including two touchdowns.
The Falcons found Northwestern State quarterback Paul Harris a tough customer in the first half.
Harris kept his offense on the field converting by six of 11 third downs. Even though the Falcons led the entire 30 minutes, they couldn’t create breathing room.
A fumbled punt by Wright at his 7-yard yard line gave the Demons an easy score that led to Harris’ 5-yard scoring pass to tight end Justin Aldredge, tying the score 7-7 with 3 minutes, 36 seconds left in the first quarter.
Harris ran 11 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter and hit Aldredge again on a three-yard strike with :33 left in the half to keep the Demons close.
But the Air Force ground game dominated the first half. Receiver Mikel Hunter ran 24 yards for a touchdown near the end of the first period and Jefferson galloped 37 yards for a score with 7:26 left in the half for a 24-14 Falcons lead.
Both team lost players in the first half, leaving the game on stretchers. Cornerback Reggie Rembert left for Air Force with a neck injury and Demons offensive lineman Josh Cunningham left with an undisclosed injury.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
