The Air Force Falcons picked up their first win of the season by defeating the South Dakota Coyotes, 37-20, on Saturday. It wasn't always the best game for the Falcons, but it was a way to get back into the game before next week's big matchup.
The Falcons jumped out to a 7-0 lead after the first play of the game. Receiver Mikel Hunter took the ball on an 80-yard run for a touchdown. The Falcons waited until the end of the first quarter to score again, a Wes Cobb rushing touchdown.
After that, the offense became the Tim Jefferson show. The senior quarterback scored two rushing touchdowns twice in the final six minutes of the half. Then in the third quarter, Jefferson struck again. After the Falcons defense forced a three-and-out for the Coyotes, Jefferson connected with Mikel Hunter for a 55-yard touchdown reception on 3rd-and-2. That touchdown put the Falcons on the board with 37 points (Parker Herrington had a field goal and a missed extra point earlier).
The Coyotes, who scored on a touchdown pass in the second quarter, took control of the game in the fourth quarter, but were unable to overcome the Falcons. They scored a touchdown five seconds into the fourth quarter on a short rushing play and then put the ball into the end zone on a touchdown pass midway through the quarter. The last score came after Wes Cobb fumbled and lost the ball. Asher Clark, who rushed for 97 yards, also fumbled, but he picked it back up.
Jamil Cooks intercepted a Coyotes pass with less than three minutes to seal the game. Jefferson threw one of his two interceptions in the fourth quarter, but the Coyotes failed to take advantage of it.
The Falcons (1-0) stay home next week and face the TCU Horned Frogs, who lost to the Baylor Bears on Friday, 50-48.