The Air Force Falcons are almost out of their tough October schedule, and it can't come soon enough. After losing to Notre Dame, 59-33, last Saturday, the Falcons returned home to host the San Diego St. Aztecs. After a solid first half, the Falcons let the game slip quickly out of reach during the second half. They fell, 41-27.
Air Force quarterback Tim Jefferson threw his seventh touchdown pass of the season when he hit Jonathan Warzeka for a 26-yard reception in the end zone, putting Air Force in a 7-3 lead. After San Diego State quarterback Ryan Lindley put the Aztecs back in the lead, 10-7, during the second quarter, the Falcons answered back with six minutes remaining in the second half. Punter David Baska lined up as the place kicker on a fourth-and-three at San Diego's four-yard line and ran the ball in for the score.
Unfortunately for the Falcons, San Diego State's Brandon Davis returned the ensuing kickoff for a 98-yard touchdown. Falcons kicked Parker Herrington tied the game at 17 with a 44-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter.
The Falcons defense has been hurt by injuries, which finally came back to hurt them in the second half. After taking a 20-17 lead several minutes into the third quarter, Air Force allowed 24 straight points over the third and fourth quarters. Lindley threw his second touchdown pass of the game, a 28-yard strike to Colin Lockett, and running back Ronnie Hillman scored twice in the fourth quarter. Hillman picked up 172 yards on 27 carries to go with the touchdowns.
Jefferson found Warzeka for a second touchdown with six minutes left in the game, but that was all the Falcons could do at the end. Jefferson, who was 22-of-36 for 224 yards, threw two interceptions in the game, one which led to a field goal. A Mike DeWitt fumble gave way to Lindley's second touchdown pass.
The Falcons (3-3) visit the Boise St. Broncos next Saturday.
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