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Air Force Tops Nevada In Triple Overtime
Falcons keep title hopes alive
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Overtime thriller
Air Force outlasts the Wolf Pack in triple overtime, topping Nevada 41-39.
It was a chaotic, long night in Mackay Stadium Saturday night. Air Force and Nevada battled to triple overtime in Nevada’s senior night. Air Force eventually come up clutch late in the game, in moments where Nevada fell short.
Both teams started the game on the wrong foot. Nevada was off to a quick three and out and Air Force fumbled the ball, turning the ball over with 10 minutes left in the first quarter. Nevada was able to fight off the Air Force pressure long enough to get a field goal. Brandon Talton kicked one through the uprights from 24 yards to make it 3-0 Nevada.
https://twitter.com/AF_Football/status/1462126302715019269
Air Force then started the run game domination they would show over Nevada the entire game. The Falcons took over possession with just under seven minutes and ran out the first-quarter game clock. This long drive would end in an Air Force touchdown. Ben Jefferson would rush in the two-yard score making it 7-3 Air Force.
Air Force finished the game with 483 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns, all on the ground. DeAndre Hughes led the running back group. Hughes finished with 221 yards on only 23 attempts and two touchdowns.
On Nevada’s next drive, Carson Strong threw his lone interception of the night, giving the Falcons possession on their 30-yard line. Strong finished the game with what was another impressive night throwing the ball. The Junior quarterback finished the contest with 340 yards passing and four touchdowns.
https://twitter.com/AF_Football/status/1461945780814573570
Air Force didn’t only dominate on the offensive side of the ball, they dominated on the defensive line as well. The Falcons finished with eight sacks, three different players having a two-sack night. Vince Sanford led the Falcons on the defense. Sanford had two sacks, three tackles for a loss, and one forced fumble.
After both teams traded a pair of three-and-out drives, Air Force once again marched down the field and scored a rushing touchdown. Hughes found the endzone on a 10-yard run, making the contest 14-3 Air Force. Following yet another Nevada punt, Air Force’s Matthew Dapore kicked a 49-yard field goal, making it 17-3 going into halftime.
The Falcons got the ball to start the second half. Air Force would go for it on fourth and one, but failed on the attempt, turning the ball over on downs. Nevada took advantage of the turnover on the very next drive, throwing the ball down the field on a seven-play 83-yard touchdown drive making it 17-10 Air Force. The drive ended in a 13-yard touchdown pass from Strong to Cole Turner. Turner had two touchdowns, 54 yards on only five receptions in the game.
The Falcons would yet again with a nine-play touchdown drive of their own. Hughes was able to step into the endzone for his second score of the night, extending their lead 24-10. This score would carry into the start of the fourth quarter.
Nevada caught a break with nine minutes left in the game. Air Force’s Haaziq Daniels coughed up the ball that was forced out by AJ King. Nevada recovered and took advantage on the very next play. Strong connected with Romeo Doubs for a 61-yard touchdown pass to make the game 24-17 with 8:56 left in the game. Strong then found Turner yet again late in the fourth quarter to tie things up at 24. Air Force took the ball over with four minutes left in the game. Neither team could convert late in the game, which meant fans got free football in Reno, Nevada.
Dane Kinamon kicked off the scoring in overtime, giving Air Force the advantage early 31-24. Nevada had to answer with a score of their own and score they did with a six-yard touchdown rush by Toa Taua. This was only Nevada’s eighth rushing touchdown of the season. Nevada was able to score yet again on the overtime change of possession. Strong once again connected with Doubs on a 19-yard touchdown pass. Nevada’s Cole Turner caught the two-point conversion, making it 39-31 Nevada. Air Force had a touchdown and two-point conversion of their own after a Brad Roberts touchdown and a Hughes conversion. 39-39 heading into the two-point conversion only third overtime.
https://twitter.com/AF_Football/status/1461937303534723072
Haaziq Daniels marched in Air Force’s two-point conversion, giving the ball to Nevada 41-39. Carson Strong tried to fit in a tight pass in the back of the endzone to Romeo Doubs but couldn’t connect, coming up short. Air Force came out on top, 41-39. This is Nevada’s third time this season losing a game by two points. Air Force is still alive in the Mountain Division title race. Nevada is officially eliminated from title contention.
Up next for Air Force (8-3), the Falcons travel to Las Vegas, Nevada to play UNLV (2-9). Nevada (7-4) wraps up the regular season away at Colorado State (3-7).
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