Air Force quarterback Tim Jefferson runs a keeper in the first half of the Air Force-Boise State game Oct. 22, 2011, in Boise, Idaho. Jefferson was 8-of-16 passing with 144 yards and one interception in addition to 20 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in the Falcons' 37-26 loss to the Broncos. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Vann Miller)
Air Force running back Anthony LaCoste hurdles a Boise State defender during the Falcons-Broncos game Oct. 22, 2011, in Boise, Idaho. LaCoste had 54 kick-return yards in the Falcons' 37-26 defeat. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Vann Miller)
Air Force quarterback Tim Jefferson pitches to receiver Ty MacArthur during the Air Force-Boise State game Oct. 21, 2011, in Boise, Idaho. MacArthur had 42 rushing yards on three carries in the Falcons' 37-26 loss to the fifth-ranked Broncos. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Vann Miller)
by Staff Sgt. Heather Stanton
U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
10/24/2011 - BOISE, Idaho (AFNS) -- The fifth-ranked Boise State University Broncos beat the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcons 26-37 at Bronco Stadium here Oct. 22 in the first game between the teams since BSU joined the Mountain West Conference this season.
"There were parts where we played reasonably well, but it's not enough," said Falcons head coach Troy Calhoun. "What we have to do, maturity wise as a football team, we have to get in there Monday and work. We have a tough challenge to get back on our feet and go to work."
The Broncos took a quick lead in the first quarter with a 24-yard touchdown by wide receiver Tyler Shoemaker and continued to push the ball for 158 offensive yards throughout the quarter. The Falcons gained a total of 58 yards in two drives with carries from fullback Mike Dewitt, wide receiver Jonathan Warzeka and quarterback Tim Jefferson.
Air Force began the second quarter strong when defensive back Anthony Wright recovered a BSU fumble in the red zone. Wide receiver Zack Kauth caught a 32-yard pass by Jefferson. On the same drive, Warzeka took a shuffle pass for 15 yards and wide receiver Ty MacArthur carried for 12 yards. Later, Jefferson scored on a one-yard quarterback keeper.
However, the Broncos came back with a vengeance when quarterback Kellen Moore passed to wide receiver Matt Miller for a 25-yard gain, then again to wide receiver Geraldo Boldewijn for another 16 yards before Miller received another for a 19-yard touchdown. The Falcons managed to block the extra point kick to trail 13-7.
The Falcons began their second drive with a 16-yard return by Warzeka but lost momentum when a fake punt went wrong: the ball was fumbled and recovered by BSU nickelback Hunter White, who ran for a 15-yard touchdown.
Falcons place kicker Parker Herrington kicked a 37-yard field goal to end the half trailing, 20-10.
The Broncos drove forward in the second half to make the point spread even greater, but Air Force defensive back Josh Hall intercepted Moore in the end zone to kill the drive. Dewitt rushed up the middle for 16 yards but was taken down by BSU's linebacker Byron Hout. Herrington ended the drive with a 39-yard field goal.
BSU advanced 59 yards with two major highlights: Shoemaker's 20-yard pass and running back Doug Martin's rushing 15 yards for a Bronco touchdown. The score was 27-13 BSU at the end of the third.
The fourth quarter began with the Falcons driving, capped by a touchdown by running back Asher Clark. BSU drove for another touchdown by Martin, but the Falcons answered on a keeper by Jefferson, made possible by a 51-yard bomb to Kauth. With BSU's next possession, placekicker Dan Goodale kicked a 25-yard field goal, locking in the Broncos' victory.
Although the Air Force led in rushing yards with 264 and possession time, 36:18 to 23:42, the Broncos surpassed the Falcons in passing yards by 137 with a total of 281 yards.
"I think this is a game that can give some of these guys some confidence that we can compete with these teams," said Falcon outside linebacker Alex Means. "We just have to start believing in ourselves for the rest of the season."
The Air Force loss brings the Broncos' undefeated streak to 7-0. The Falcons' next game is against 0-7 New Mexico State Oct. 29.
