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Air Force vs. Army Final Score: Falcons Comeback Attempt Falls Short, Lose 17-14
Time of possession was Air Force’s enemy vs. Army
Commander-In-Chief award may change hands.
Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire
The Commander-in-Chief trophy could have found its way back to Colorado Springs, but Army held off Air Force’s comeback attempt to win 17-14.
Army football did what Army does as they gained control in the first quarter on the opening drive that was a magnificent piece of artwork for those who love triple-option football.
Army had a sleeper hold type drive to start the game that went was 26 plays, lasted 12:51 and went for 75 yards. Actually, it was a 120-yards worth of offense as there were a pair of penalties for 15 yards against the Black Knights. The Falcons held the ball for a total of 100 seconds and punted the ball after seven plays.
The first quarter saw only two drives total and that 7-0 lead was all Army needed to defeat Air Force. The Black Knights led 14-0 at the half and that is when head coach Troy Calhoun made a change at quarterback by benching Isiah Sanders in favor of Donald Hammond III.
Hammond led the Falcons comeback and was connecting with receivers all afternoon and ended up completing 7 of 15 for 120 yards. The play he could not convert was the biggest of the day. The Falcons were down by three points and driving but on a fourth-and-3 play at the Army 40 with under 2 minutes to play he was stopped and that was the end of the game.
“We were driving downfield. We should have made some plays we didn’t make,” Hammond said. “I just wanted to win this game for the team. We’re never going to give up. That’s one thing we’re not going to do.”
It ended up being too little too late and perhaps head coach Troy Calhoun should have started Hammond because that might have been the difference in this game. He provided a spark leading the team to a pair of touchdowns to get Air Force back in this contest.
On the day, the Falcons could not get a groove going on offense, and specifically in the ground game where they rushed for just 125 yards which is 130 less than it averages per game.
Air Force is now 3-6 on the year and its bowl chances take a hit. They need three wins to be assured of a bowl bid, but five could work due to APR. All three games are winnable the rest of the way as they host New Mexico, travel to Wyoming and then host Colorado State in the season finale.
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