NORMAN, Okla. — The last 3 minutes, 41 seconds of Saturday’s game against Oklahoma were agonizing for Air Force’s Jonathan Warzeka.
The Falcons needed to get the ball back to overcome a 27-24 deficit.
“We wanted that second chance,” Warzeka said. “Everyone across the board was trying as hard as they could. Standing on the sidelines and feeling helpless is almost as bad as being on the field in that situation.
“We outgained (the Sooners, 458 yards to 367) and had better time of possession. A missed field goal and a fumble really hurt us.”
No one on the Air Force offense wanted to predict what might have happened if the Falcons had gotten the ball back. But they wished they could have found out.
Warzeka was a big-play guy for the Falcons with 54 yards rushing on seven carries, including a 39-yard gallop, and 48 yards on three receptions. He also contributed a key block on quarterback Tim Jefferson’s 38-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
View from the front.
Rick Ricketts led Air Force’s defensive line with eight tackles, one for a loss. He and the other AFA defensive linemen were facing an Oklahoma offensive line that averages 300 pounds.
“Yes, we did stand up to them,” Ricketts said. “We weren’t surprised that we played them close. But there aren’t any moral victories. They’re not an NFL team, but they’re very good. We didn’t play as well as we could or we would have won.”
Injury report.
AFA receiver Kevin Fogler (head) was injured on a pass play in the first half and didn’t return.
Footnotes.
Oklahoma’s TD with 10:30 left in the third quarter marked the first points allowed by AFA in the second half this season. . . . The lack of a turnover halted a streak of five straight games in which the Falcons collected at least one. . . . AFA coach Troy Calhoun issued a game plan with Wyoming and Navy on the horizon. He said he wants “response” from his players after the disappointing loss to the Sooners — not reaction.
