Air Force Falcons vs Army Black Knights Football Recap

Air Force 24, Army 14

The Army Black Knights, though without their opening-day starting quarterback, blitzed the Air Force Falcons for the first 30 minutes of play on Saturday in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Even without Trent Steelman, the guiding force of their offense, the boys from West Point - a substantial underdog - played like they owned the pants in a rivalry that had been one-sided in the other direction for the past decade. A stunner was in the works for the Brave Old Army Team, but just when sweet victory was within the Black Knights' grasp, they quite literally lost hold of the ball... and watched a season-making win slip through their fingers.

Each half was its own game this past weekend, with each team flipping roles. Unfortunately for Army, a sloppy first half from Air Force gave way to a sloppier second half from the West Pointers, and Air Force prevailed in the end to claim its second-straight Commander-in-Chief's trophy. Army's dry spell against service academy opponents continues, while Air Force - amidst its struggles within the Mountain West Conference - tucked away the kind of accomplishment that makes a season worthwhile.

Quarterback Tim Jefferson returned from a broken nose injury to lead the Falcons to the win and earning his first trip to the White House. This is the case because Air Force only takes seniors to Washington, D.C. upon winning the Commander-in-Chief's trophy. The senior led the Falcons back from a 14-0 halftime deficit, going 6-12 for 122 yards through the air with 66 more yards on 20 rushing attempts.

Speaking of that 14-0 halftime deficit, however, one very important thing needs to be said: It should have been 28-0, and this is where Saturday's showdown turned.

Twice in the final six minutes of the second quarter, Army had a certain touchdown taken away - once by the officials, once by a great play from a hustling Air Force defender. With 5:55 left in the quarter, Army quarterback Max Jenkins - filling in for the injured Steelman - snuck his way into the end zone. The ball clearly broke the plane of the goal line because Jenkins did not lose the ball, and his waist was parallel with the goal line. There's no way the ball could have avoided breaking the plane. Yet, a replay review did not rule that a touchdown had been scored. Army was denied a 21-0 lead.

Then came the second stomach punch for the Black Knights. With 25 seconds left in the first half, Army's offense gashed Air Force for another big gain in a first half that featured total control by the Black Knights at the line of scrimmage. An open-field run was just about to deliver another touchdown to the visitors from New York State, but Army fumbled at the 1 before breaking the plane of the goal line. The ball rolled through and out of the end zone for a touchback, keeping the score 14-0 at the intermission. Air Force should have faced a four-touchdown deficit by any reasonable measure, but when the heavy favorite got a reprieve, it had to feel good about its chances in the second half despite the two-touchdown lead for Army.

Sure enough, the second half validated all of Air Force's optimism and all of Army's worst fears.

After opening the third quarter with a field goal, Air Force continued to attack. Jefferson struck through the air, completing a 21-yard pass to Josh Freeman followed by a 35-yard completion to Zack Kauth on consecutive plays. A Jefferson rushing touchdown and a two-point conversion cut the deficit to 14-11. On Army’s next play, Jenkins fumbled at Army’s own 29-yard line. Air Force converted it into a 39-yard field goal to tie the game. Justin Allen coughed up another Army fumble just four plays later and the Falcons returned it to the Army 14. Jefferson scored again four plays later on a one-yard run, and the Falcons had taken control with a 21-point quarter. The Black Knights’ five turnovers negated their 340 rushing yards. The downward spiral didn't take very long to unfold, but it will stick with Army for a very long time. Air Force, meanwhile, will relish the fact that its 2010 CIC Trophy has now been defended, giving the Falcons service-academy bragging rights for yet another year.

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By: Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer