Junior quarterback Tim Jefferson hands the ball off to senior running back Jared Tew as Air Force defeated Navy 14-6 at the U.S. Air Force Academy's Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., Oct. 2, 2010. This was the Falcons' first victory over Navy since 2002. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)
The Air Force Academy Falcon defense swarms the Navy ball carrier on the field at Falcon Stadium as Air Force defeated Navy 14-6 at the U.S. Air Force Academy's Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., Oct. 2, 2010. This was the Falcons' first victory over Navy since 2002. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)
Defensive backs Jon Davis and Reggie Rembert celebrate as Air Force defeated Navy 14-6 at the U.S. Air Force Academy's Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., Oct. 2, 2010. This was the Falcons' first victory over Navy since 2002. (U.S. Air Force photo/Johnny Wilson)
Junior running back Asher Clark breaks a tackle as Air Force defeated Navy 14-6 at the U.S. Air Force Academy's Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., Oct. 2, 2010. This was the Falcons' first victory over Navy since 2002. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)
The U.S. Air Force Academy Falcons football team takes the field prior to the start of the Air Force vs. Navy game at the U.S. Air Force Academy's Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo Oct 2, 2010. The Falcons wore special uniforms as a tribute to the Thunderbirds. This was the Falcons' first victory over Navy since 2002. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz participate in the coin toss prior to the start of the Air Force vs. Navy game at the U.S. Air Force Academy's Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., Oct. 2, 2010. Air Force defeated Navy 14-6. This was the Falcons' first victory over Navy since 2002. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)
by Staff Sgt. Raymond Hoy
U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
10/2/2010 - U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- In a game filled with flyovers, it was ground pounding that dominated as the Air Force Falcons sunk the Navy Midshipmen 14-6 Oct. 2 at Falcon Stadium here.
The Falcons showed why they have the number one rushing offense in the country after racking up 292 yards on the ground. Their season average yards-per-game is 394.
Air Force scored its first victory against the boys from Annapolis since they beat them 48-7 in 2002 at home. The Falcons' win snapped the Mids' 15-game winning streak against the other service academies that included eight wins against the Army and seven against the Air Force.
"Everyone is really down right now," said Midshipmen quarterback Ricky Dobbs. "We've never had this feeling before, losing to a service academy and we don't know how to take it."
While the Mids' offense had a respectable game with 209 rushing yards and 312 yards of total offense, the Falcons' defense came up with the big plays that clinched the victory, including a punt block, two interceptions and six tackles for loss. Linebacker Jordan Waiwaiole led the way with 15 tackles, one sack and the interception that sealed the game for the Falcons.
"The team won the game, but the defensive part of it was super," said Falcons' head coach Troy Calhoun during a post-game press conference. "I thought in past years, (Navy has) been able to take the initial drive and go down and score points, so we've always been playing a little bit of catch-up from the get-go. Today, that wasn't the case."
The Falcons held Dobbs to just 103 yards in the air, 43 yards on the ground and no touchdowns. Dobbs has had at least one rushing touchdown in all 16 of his career starts.
"(Ricky Dobbs is) a terrific player," Coach Calhoun said. "We looked at tape, and certainly just being on the field with their guys, there's a reason why he's a guy you discuss to go to New York City in December. You can see why there was discussion."
The Air Force won the toss at the start of the game and decided to defer to Navy. The Midshipmen punted the ball following a 35-yard drive giving the Falcons the ball on their own 6-yard line. After a big 29-yard run by Jared Tew, he coughed the ball up giving it back to the Mids on their own 43. But they couldn't capitalize, eventually giving the ball back to the Falcons following a missed 21-yard field goal attempt by Joe Buckley. Quarterback Tim Jefferson put the Falcons on top first with a 50-yard touchdown run to end the first quarter.
Buckley was able to put three on the board for the Mids following a 14-play, 78-yard drive to open their second quarter bringing the score 7-3. Both defenses knuckled down to take that score into the locker room at the half.
Air Force opened the second half with a quick three-and-out after a Jefferson fumble gave the Mids the ball on the Falcon 36-yard line. Navy could only muster a field goal following the turnover bringing the score to 7-6. That score held to the end of the third.
The Falcons came out strong in the fourth quarter. Freshman Jamil Cooks leaped over the Midshipmen offensive line for a key punt block which was recovered by Anthony Wooding. They followed the big play with a four-play, 15-yard drive capped by a Jefferson one-yard touchdown dive.
The Air Force defense then went into lockdown-mode keeping Navy to just 68 fourth-quarter yards and eventually putting the nail in the coffin with the Waiwaiole interception with 25 seconds left in the game for a final score of 14-6.
Ultimately, both teams fought hard in front of a sold out crowd of more than 47,000 bursting with American pride. After the game, Coach Calhoun discussed how proud he was of not only his players, but the Navy as well.
"To see both squads fight and compete the way they did, that field was sprinkled with everything that we want to serve our country and our future," he said. "These are two phenomenal schools with a purpose and with missions; you look forward to what this country may have in store down the road. They made a dedication, they've made a commitment to serve and be fine officers. Really, that's what it's all about."
This win puts Air Force in the driver's seat to determine the fate of this year's Commander-in-Chief's trophy. If the Falcons beat Army at Westpoint Nov. 6, the trophy will come home to its high-altitude residence. If Air Force loses to Army, the annual Army versus Navy game will determine the final destination of the trophy until next year.
The win takes the Air Force record to 4-1; 2-0 in the Mountain West Conference. Air Force's next game is against MWC rival Colorado State University Rams at home.
Comments
10/7/2010 8:53:38 AM ET I am a Naval Academy graduate and wonder how many others who watched the game Saturday were shocked and disgusted by the poor sportsmanship of several Air Force players...especially number 32 who grabbed our ball carrier by the face mask hung onto him threw him to the ground and then proudly beat on his own chest in celebration.Personally I don't think the 15 yd penalty was enough. He should have beenejectedThis was a sad moment in our otherwise great traditionally rivalry.
Ralph Buck, Falls Church VA
10/4/2010 10:56:33 AM ET Great win for the AFA over Service rival Navy. One more win for the Chief's Cup Dobbs' comments were correct...none of the current Navy team members has lost to Air Force or Army until this year so none of them know what it feels like to lose. He's not a panzie...he made a statement based on fact.
Andrew, Lackland AFB TX
10/4/2010 10:54:14 AM ET And to top off a good win, the USAFA is now ranked 25 by the AP.
JPL, LAFB
10/4/2010 9:59:48 AM ET Long overdue but a great win for the birds Beat Army
Dave '09, Joint Base Andrews MD
10/4/2010 7:27:12 AM ET I must admit the helmets looked pretty cool
BF, IN
10/4/2010 5:36:06 AM ET What a stuck up waste of a comment by the Navy QB. Everyone is really down right now said Midshipmen quarterback Ricky Dobbs. We've never had this feeling before losing to a service academy and we don't know how to take it.How panzie is that? The AF Academy has normally run circles around the Navy over a full season and playing real teams also. Grow up Dobbs
Dave Brett, Osan Korea
10/3/2010 11:32:22 PM ET YES Go Air Force Keep up the good work
