AFA FINAL: Frogs shoot down Falcons 35-19

Air Force fell behind early and never recovered against TCU, getting steamrolled 35-19 by the defending Mountain West champions at Falcon Stadium. 

Air Force trailed the entire game. The blowout started in the first quarter, when the Falcons were stuffed on a fourth-down run on their first possession, and the Horned Frogs took possession and promptly scored a touchdown. Both teams are now 1-1, but Air Force is 0-1 in the Mountain West after dropping the conference opener.

Air Force used a couple trick plays to finally score a touchdown against TCU in the third quarter. 

Receiver Jonathan Warzeka threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to fellow receiver Zack Kauth, one play after a 34-yard run by David Baska on a fake punt got Air Force into TCU territory. That cut TCU’s lead to 28-9, but the Horned Frogs scored again before the end of the quarter to push their lead to 35-9.

Air Force forced a punt on the first drive of the second half, but Mikel Hunter was hit hard on the punt return and fumbled it away to TCU. The Horned Frogs scored on their possession after Hunter’s fumble.

The Falcons benched quarterback Tim Jefferson late in the third quarter, putting in Connor Dietz to lead the offense.

The Horned Frogs dominated the first half in every way at Falcon Stadium, building a 21-3 lead. When it looked like Air Force would get back in the game in the second quarter, quarterback Tim Jefferson fumbled in TCU territory. A little later, the Horned Frogs scored on a 3-yard touchdown run from Matthew Tucker, his second of the game.

The Falcons did show some signs of life late in the first half, when Jamil Cooks sacked TCU quarterback Casey Pachall and forced a fumble, which he recovered. Air Force kicked a field goal on the final play of the half.

Air Force didn’t start well, getting stuffed on a fourth down run on its first drive, then allowing the Horned Frogs to march downfield for a touchdown.

On the Falcons’ opening drive, coach Troy Calhoun decided to go for it on fourth and 3 at TCU’s 48-yard line. D.J. Yendrey shot past Air Force’s offensive line to stuff quarterback Tim Jefferson for a 3-yard loss.

TCU took over and converted three third-down situations, including on third and 2 from Air Force’s 3-yard line. Fullback Luke Shivers caught a pass out of the backfield for a 3-yard touchdown to give TCU a 7-0 lead.

Air Force then couldn’t pick up a first down, punted, and then TCU calmly drove downfield for another score. Matthew Tucker jumped over the line for a 1-yard touchdown to give the Horned Frogs a 14-0 lead.