Air Force defense spills another leak in defeat

The first four seasons after Troy Calhoun took over as Air Force’s coach in 2007, the Falcons’ identity was closely tied to being opportunistic with turnovers. They didn’t turn the ball over, and pounced on every mistake the opponent made.

The Falcons’ defense isn’t getting turnovers anymore, and two enormous turnovers by the offense on consecutive plays were the turning points in a 41-27 victory by San Diego State at Falcon Stadium. The Falcons are 3-3, and 0-2 in the Mountain West. The Aztecs are 4-2, and 1-1 in conference.

In Calhoun’s first four seasons his teams were plus-50 total in turnovers. This year, the Falcons were minus-4 in turnover margin coming into Thursday’s game, and were minus-2 against the Aztecs.

“That’s football — one or two big plays they made and we didn’t,” Falcons inside linebacker Jordan Waiwaiole said. “If we don’t turn the ball over, different ballgame — or if we create more turnovers. Bottom line is, they made plays tonight and we didn’t.”

Air Force led 20-17 in the third quarter, but a couple of mistakes by the offense flipped that around.

Falcons quarterback Tim Jefferson never looked off Aztecs safety Rene Siluano, and Siluano stepped in front of a deep pass for an interception. The Aztecs turned that into a field goal. On the Falcons’ next play, fullback Mike DeWitt was stripped and San Diego State recovered. One play later Aztecs quarterback Ryan Lindley hit Colin Lockett for a 28-yard touchdown and the Aztecs had a 27-20 lead.

“We have to control the turnover ratio,” receiver Jonathan Warzeka said. “Offensively, we haven’t been able to do that the whole year. That doesn’t help out the defense at all.”

When San Diego State running back Ronnie Hillman somehow kept his balance when it appeared Air Force had him wrapped up and burst up field for a 22-yard touchdown, the Aztecs led 34-20 with 10:45 left. Hillman’s next carry was a 57-yard touchdown that put the game away. Air Force’s defense, which gave up 34 points to Navy and 59 to Notre Dame, was again ineffective. The Aztecs had 201 rushing yards and 209 passing yards.

Before the turnovers, the Falcons were in good shape. The Aztecs started with a field goal, but the Falcons answered with a 26-yard touchdown pass to Warzeka.

The Aztecs regained the lead with a touchdown, but the Falcons came back with a creative fake field goal.

Punter David Baska, normally the holder, lined up as the place-kicker and third-string quarterback Tucker Tipton — who wears the same No. 18 as kicker Parker Herrington — lined up as the holder. The Falcons ran an option play to the right, with Tipton pitching to Baska, and Air Force’s athletic punter jumped into the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown.

The good vibes from the successful fake field goal didn’t last long. San Diego State’s Brandon Davis returned the following kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown and the Aztecs took the lead right back.

Air Force battled back to take a third-quarter lead, but the turnovers ruined the Falcons.

“It’s rough right now,” Jefferson said. “Coming off back-to-back big losses like this, our confidence isn’t high, there’s no doubt about that. But what’s going to define us is how we bounce back.”

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