Air Force notes: Cochran steps into tough situation

PROVO, Utah – A packed LaVell Edwards Stadium and a 17-0 deficit to the nation's 19th-ranked team were what awaited Air Force junior quarterback Ben Cochran when he entered Saturday's game.

Not exactly how you'd draw it up for a quarterback whose last meaningful snaps in a game came two years ago on the Air Force junior varsity.

But Cochran found it “exciting.”

“To face a Top 25 opponent in their place, that’s what college football’s all about,” said Cochran, who replaced starter Tim Jefferson early in the second quarter of Air Force’s 38-21 loss to the Cougars. “And the atmosphere was great. That’s the only way I can describe it is it’s exciting to get thrown in the fire and see what happens.”

Cochran was moved to safety at the start of the preseason, but was shifted back to quarterback early in the regular season. He went from third string to backup when Connor Dietz was lost to a broken hand. And he was called upon Saturday after Jefferson did not seem effective because of a bruised back.

Cochran did his best in a tough situation, leading the Falcons to three scores, including a 27-yard touchdown pass to Josh Cousins. For the game, however, he completed just 5-of-18 passes for 88 yards and an interception. He also ran 13 times for 47 yards.

“He’s a competitive kid,” Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said. “You love his fight, and you love his spirit. The execution part of it’s got to be a little better. Especially there were some throws where we should have had connections.”

Turnover trouble

Heading into Saturday’s game, Air Force had committed just seven turnovers, including only three in its previous six games.

The Falcons were turnover-free in five games, and only once did they commit more than one in a game – against Navy, when they had two.

On Saturday, however, the Falcons committed four turnovers, the most they’ve had in a game since Oct. 25, 2007, when they had five at New Mexico. Turnovers led directly to 21 BYU points.

“Can’t be,” Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said. “You’ve got to be exceptional in terms of being able to hold onto the ball.”

Air Force quarterback Tim Jefferson lost a fumble and threw an interception, and BYU scored immediately after each.

Backup quarterback Ben Cochran also threw an interception and fumbled. His pick came on a desperation heave on the final play of the first half.

His fumble came on Air Force’s first possession of the second half. BYU recovered and scored two plays later to go up 31-7.

Unga, Hall sets marks

BYU running back Harvey Unga became the Cougars’ all-time leading rusher with a five-yard carry late in the first quarter.

Unga, who is only a junior, finished the day with 67 yards on 11 carries. He has 3,281 in his career.

In addition, quarterback Max Hall won his 30th game as BYU’s quarterback, passing Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer for first place on the Cougars’ all-time quarterback victory list.

Cousins ends drought

Late in the first half, Air Force senior receiver Josh Cousins made a good adjustment to haul in a 27-yard touchdown pass in traffic from Cochran.

It was just his second reception of the year, and it ended a nine-game drought. Cousins, who caught a team-high 16 passes for Air Force in 2008, made his other catch this season – for a gain of five yards – at Minnesota on Sept. 12.

Etc.

Air Force will be off until Dec. 4. They will practice that afternoon and the following morning. … Four seniors – guard Nick Charles, defensive tackle Ben Garland, punter Brandon Geyer and safety Luke Hyder – served as Air Force’s captains.