Air Force finished its series (at least for the foreseeable future) against Colorado State with an all-time record of 40-22-1 and five wins in five games at Canvas Stadium.

AIR FORCE PLAYER OF THE GAME

Jackson Adams, sr., DE

For the first three snaps he was on the field, Adams dominated and set a tone.

He made a stop with safety Roger Jones Jr. for a 1-yard gain, then threw Colorado State quarterback Jackson Brousseau for a 6-yard loss, then knocked down a pass to send the Rams to a quick three-and out.

Colorado State didn’t take another snap in the game trailing by fewer than 14 points, allowing the Falcons to lean into their clock-eating running game that churned out 316 yards.

If Adams seemed motivated, it was for a reason.

The Arapahoe High School graduate grew up in a Centennial house full of CSU green. He attended Rams’ camps and waited for an offer that never arrived.

“There’s been a history of them overlooking in-state guys, so I had that chip on my shoulder for a long time,” Adams said. “It was good to come up here and, I guess, show them they made a mistake.”

Adams joins a list of recent Falcons like receiver Ben Waters (two touchdown catches in 2019), safety Jalen Mergerson (13 tackles in 2021) and fullback Brad Roberts (151 yards, two touchdowns in 2021), who came from Colorado high schools, didn’t receive offers from Colorado State and posted some of their best games in Fort Collins.

WHAT WE WATCHED

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

The quarterback position

Air Force started Josh Johnson and was creative in finding ways to use both him and Kemper Hodges, who started last week. Ultimately, the position combined for 4 of 4 passing for 104 yards and two touchdowns (all from Johnson) while running for 109 yards (87 from Hodges) and a pair of scores (one apiece). Colorado State, which didn’t know where it would turn at QB with Darius Curry suspended and Jackson Brousseau injured, was able to go to Brousseau, who threw for 323 yards.

Air Force’s secondary

Sophomore cornerback Korey Johnson, a starter earlier this season, returned to that role with Mikhail Seiken out. Johnson finished with four tackles. The secondary wasn’t perfect, as Colorado State threw for 323 yards, but the defense allowed touchdowns on just three of eight possessions, which was easily enough to win.

Air Force’s running game

The Falcons did what they do best late in seasons when playing struggling teams – drown them with the running game. The Falcons ran 67 times for 316 yards and four touchdowns. On eight drives the Falcons averaged nine plays, 53 yards and 5:05.

BY THE NUMBERS

5

Tackles for Colorado State linebacker Jaseim Mitchell, a Colorado Springs native and Harrison High School graduate who was among 24 CSU seniors recognized before the game.

6

Touchdown catches this season for Air Force tight end Bruin Fleischmann, the most for a tight end in 19 seasons under coach Troy Calhoun.

7

Touchdowns this season, including a 38-yard score on Friday, for Colorado State tight end Rocky Beers, an Air Force transfer. That sets a single-season record for a Rams tight end.

1,000

Rushing-yard milestone eclipsed by Air Force junior fullback Owen Allen, who ran for 107 yards and now has 1,085 in his career.

1,500

Rushing-yard milestone eclipsed by Air Force senior fullback Dylan Carson, who finishes with 1,511 yards.