AIR FORCE PLAYER OF THE GAME

Payton Zdroik, sr., defensive lineman

Playing an hour from home in front of about 20 friends and family members, Zdroik thought he might catch a touchdown.

A San Jose State pass had been batted backwards, and a brief struggle had begun to grab it.

“That was insane,” said the 6-foot fifth-year senior. “I thought I was going to maybe catch it, but then I remembered how tall I was. I wasn’t able to reach up and get it, but that was a funny play to be a part of.”

Zdroik was credited with the tackle for a safety. It was one of three tackles on a day that saw him, from the nose guard position, register two quarterback hurries, a patted pass and the 6-yard tackle-for-loss that earned his team two points.

The pass rush was critical in limiting the effectiveness of San Jose State’s top-rated passing offense against a young Falcons’ secondary that has largely struggled against the pass this season.

“We keyed up some exotic stuff this week,”  Zdroik said. “We practiced it ad nauseum. It was pretty good. We knew we had a little more room to run those because of how wide their splits were. I think we just took advantage of that.”

WHAT WE WATCHED

Revisiting items of intrigue identified by The Gazette’s Brent Briggeman prior to the game.

Direction of Air Force offense

Just as they did last year when they won their ninth game of the season, starting a 4-0 run to close the season, the Falcons dedicated to the run game. It wasn’t easy. The offense failed to get a first down on its first two possessions, but then it began pounding between the tackles. The fullbacks picked up 140 yards (109 for Owen Allen on 20 carries) and quarterback Liam Szarka ran 25 times for 87 yards. Air Force ran 63 times for 261 yards while attempting just 10 passes.

Falcons’ pass rush

San Jose State didn’t allow a sack, maintaining its conference lead in that category (having allowed only eight this season). But the pass rush generated three quarterback hurries and linemen and linebackers deflected four passes. It was enough to keep San Jose State from developing a rhythm, and the Spartans did not throw a touchdown pass. Air Force got this done without using many blitz packages, but rather by leaning on a four-man rush.

Field goal unit

This could have been an issue again. Air Force had played four consecutive games decided by three points. Three of them were losses, and in each the Falcons had missed a field goal. With 31 seconds left Air Force called on kicker Reagan Tubbs to extend a seven-point lead. A miss would have given San Jose State’s prolific offense a chance to tie. The Falcons, fighting to hold onto the hope of bowl eligibility, didn’t want that stress. Instead, Tubbs nailed the kick and clinched the victory.

BY THE NUMBERS

2

Yards picked up on a sweep by tailback Kade Frew on a fourth-and-1 at midfield in the fourth quarter. The Falcons led by three points at the time, making it a pivotal pickup.

2

Rushing touchdowns for Air Force quarterback Liam Szarka, giving him 13 this season. Szarka entered the game leading the Mountain West and ranked fifth nationally with 11 rushing touchdowns.

3

Turnovers forced by Air Force, its first time this season forcing multiple turnovers.

4

Years since Air Force had last recorded a safety, doing so on Sept. 11, 2021 vs. Navy.

5

The same five offensive linemen have started all nine games this season for Air Force. Only 11 other teams entered the weekend having started the same offensive line for each game this season.