FORT COLLINS — Air Force is famous for its relentless option offense.
The Falcons slice, dice and pummel the opposition, eventually taking command. Such was the case Saturday night in their 30-13 victory over Colorado State at snowy Canvas Stadium.
The Falcons, who jumped from 19th to 17th in the AP Top 25 poll released Sunday, lead the nation with an average of 300.4 yards rushing per game.
But it can’t be forgotten that the Air Force defense has played a starring role in the team’s 8-0 start. The Falcons have held opposing offenses to just 237.9 yards per game, third-best in the country behind only Michigan (226.8) and Penn State (234.5).
Pass-happy Colorado State had 339 yards of offense Saturday night but was held to just 113 yards in the second half, part of why Air Force controlled the ball for 20 minutes and 38 seconds in the final two quarters, compared to just 9:22 for CSU.
The key play of the game came late in the second quarter with the Rams leading 10-7 and holding the momentum. AFA outside linebacker Bo Richter stripped the ball from quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi and recovered it at the CSU 11. The Falcons scored three plays later on John Lee Eldridge III’s TD run.
After the game, quarterback Zac Larrier heaped praise on the Falcons’ defense, and on Richter in particular.
“It almost makes me emotional. I love that guy,” Larrier said. “You expect (the defense) to show up when they need to show up.”
Senior safety Jalen Mergerson, an Eaglecrest High graduate, led the Falcons with 13 tackles and two pass defenses in his first career start. Safety Trey Taylor added 10 tackles, including a crucial fourth-down stop in the first quarter. The Falcons stoned the Rams on three fourth-and-short plays over the course of the game.
“I’m just proud of this team in every single facet that we have,” Taylor said.
Seven of the eight opponents Air Force has beaten this season have scored at least 11 points below their season average. The Falcons have held opponents to 13.4 points per game, ranking them fourth in stinginess, behind only Michigan (5.9), Ohio State (10.0) and Penn State (11.5).
Air Force, winners of 13 consecutive games, hosts Army this coming Saturday at Empower Field at Mile High.
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