It wasn’t easy, but beating Wyoming never is. But that’s exactly what Air Force did on Saturday, defeating the Pokes at Falcon Stadium to end their five game losing skid. It wouldn’t have mattered how they did it, Air Force just needed to end this weekend with a win. It just so happens that the position group that really secured this victory, the secondary, desperately needed the confidence boost. With two critical interceptions from their young starting safeties, Roger Jones Jr. (So) and Max Mustell
(Fr), the Air Force defense did not let the team down this week. They were instrumental in getting this rivalry win.
And for the second consecutive week, Owen Allen has rushed for 100+ yards. While complicated by high winds, the passing game wasn’t as effective as weeks past, Szarka continued to operate the offense at a high level. He too rushed for more than 100 yards, which has become a staple to his stat line.
If you look back at our preview to this game, the three keys outlined were;
- Win the Battle of the Underclassmen
- Between the Uprights
- Don’t do what Losing Teams Do
If you go line by line, each of these themes were critical in deciding the game. We already mentioned the young secondary coming up with two crucial interceptions off of Wyoming’s Kaden Anderson. But something that really shouldn’t be overlooked is the coaching staffs decision to make a change at kicker, giving Reagan Tubbs his shot. Tubbs did not disappoint, going 3-3 on field goals on a windy day. Field goals from any range were not a given to this point in the season, so the consistency they got from the kicking game on Saturday was a breath of at altitude air.
Lastly, Air Force didn’t commit a turnover. And in what could have been a game deciding drive from Wyoming late in the fourth quarter, they forced the turnover. Twice on Saturday they did, the other pick came in their own endzone taking points off the board from Wyoming. These are as big of plays as they come. If your an Air Force fan, you have to be ecstatic for the defense. Maybe even optimistic as they take next week off before hosting their bitter rivals from West Point. Let’s see if there is momentum that can be carried over from this weeks win.
Air Force is on a bye next week, and then hosts Army at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, November 1st.
