Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
Air Force
Falcons top Rams in Halloween matchup, 34-16
10/31/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 31, 2009
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By Zach Balside
Athletic Media Relations
FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Jonathan Warzeka hauled in a 24-yard TD pass from Tim Jefferson less than 4 minutes into the third quarter to give Air Force a two-score lead and the Falcons went on to win 34-16 at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium Saturday afternoon.
The reception came on third down after the Rams (3-6, 0-5 MWC) had stuffed two straight Air Force (5-4, 4-2 MWC) run plays. It was Warzeka’s first career TD reception.
Warzeka’s TD was the biggest of 11 Air Force third-down conversions. The Falcons took advantage of some big passing plays in the game, something they were hoping to capitalize on going in.
“We can have a lot more big plays, especially when we make throws down the field,” Jefferson said.
The Rams’ loss came in spite of a strong rushing performance from Leonard Mason, who carried the ball 19 times for 95 yards on the day.
“I thought Leonard came up big,” CSU Head Coach Steve Fairchild said. “He’s coming off the injury and there were some positive things going on in the run game.”
Mason sat out last week’s game against San Diego State with a rib injury.
Lou Greenwood saw his first action of the game at running back in the fourth quarter, and he took advantage of the opportunity, rushing for a 2-yard score, the first of his career. Greenwood was excited about getting his first collegiate rushing TD.
“It felt like being home again in high school,” Greenwood said.
The Rams finished the day with 180 yards rushing as a team against a Falcons defense that averaged only 124.1 yards on the ground.
The Falcons had a 14-0 lead after the first quarter but only led 17-10 at halftime. The Rams capped off a seven-play, 59-yard drive with two Grant Stucker carries totaling 30 yards, including a 13-yard run for a score, which cut the Falcons’ lead to 14-10.
Air Force took the ball 41 yards in 1:35, however, to set-up a 50-yard field goal by Erik Soderberg to make the score 17-10 heading into halftime.
Air Force came out strong in the second half and scored 13 points in the third quarter to put the game away. Warzeka’s TD reception put the score at 23-10 after a missed Soderberg extra point. Then, after the Rams had driven to Falcons’ 36 and failed to convert on a fourth-down pass from Stucker to John Mosure, Air Force drove for 64 yards on 10 plays, including a 14-yard TD run by Kyle Halderman.
Air Force’s rushing attack also was strong, totaling 271 yards on the ground as a team. Jared Tew had 87 yards on 20 carries and one TD, and Asher Clark tallied 82 yards on 10 carries for the Falcons.
The Falcons are known for their option offense, and the Rams did the best they could to try to stop it.
“It is really different when you see it in person,” Rams safety Ivory Herd, who started for the second time in as many games for the injured Klint Kubiak, said. “You can practice it all week but when you actually play against it, it can be a lot different and faster.”
Guy Miller had a strong game for the Rams on defense, collecting 12 tackles on the day. Mychal Sisson picked up his fourth sack on the year and had five tackles.
Fairchild was also very impressed with the Rams offensive line.
“I thought they were good but I couldn’t even imagine that they would be playing as well as they’re playing,” Fairchild said.
Soderberg’s 50-yard field goal was the longest of his career. Jefferson finished with 146 total yards and two passing TDs for the Falcons.
“I thought he played pretty reasonable,” Falcons head coach Troy Calhoun said about his quarterback. “He looked comfortable.”
The Rams head to Las Vegas to try to end their six-game losing streak on Saturday against UNLV. The Rams won last year’s meeting in Fort Collins, 41-28, including a 10-yard TD run by Gartrell Johnson with 9 seconds left in regulation to give the Rams the lead.
Kickoff is slated for 8 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on The Mtn.
The Rams need to win each of their last three games to become bowl eligible.
