Falcons' Jefferson eager to build on 'decent' performance

Jefferson “decent”

Sophomore quarterback Tim Jefferson said he always can find things he could have done better.

So even after completing 5-of-7 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown and rushing for two other scores in a little less than two quarters, he called his play in Saturday’s 72-0 victory over Nicholls State “decent.”

Jefferson lamented an incompletion in the red zone during the first quarter. He tried to fit a pass to a covered Sean Quintana when Chaz Demerath was running alone in the back of the end zone.

“Didn’t see him, but I’ll get back in and watch film and see what I need to fix,” Jefferson said.

Tew for three

Junior fullback Jared Tew picked up where he left off in the Armed Forces Bowl.

Tew, who rushed for 149 yards and two scores in making his first start in last year’s bowl game, picked up 57 yards and scored three touchdowns on nine carries — none of which went for fewer than 3 yards.

Room for improvement

Coach Troy Calhoun said the Falcons have “more than a few” concerns after Saturday’s game. Among them were seven penalties for 50 yards, a sack Jefferson took in the red zone and the first-team defense not forcing more turnovers.

“The couple that we got by that unit, they were center-quarterback exchanges, rather than us being able to force that part of it,” he said.

Injuries

Air Force reported injuries to two players — sophomore safety Phil Ofili (right shoulder sprain) and freshman safety Brian Lindsay (left hand sprain). Both will be re-evaluated Monday.

Etc.

Asked if he had thoughts of putting sophomore tailback Asher Clark in at quarterback, Calhoun said, “Thoughts. But did not.” … Senior strong safety Chris Thomas, senior guard Peter Lusk and senior punter Brandon Geyer served as the captains. … The 72 points were the third most Air Force has scored. The Falcons had 75 against Northern Colorado in 1984 and 73 against New Mexico in 1987. … Eleven players made their first career starts.