Air Force football: Jefferson's first start begins with scoring drive

SAN DIEGO • On the field where Doug Williams became the first black quarterback to start a Super Bowl, Air Force freshman Tim Jefferson on Saturday night became the third black player to start at quarterback for the Falcons.

At Qualcomm Stadium, Jefferson made his first career start in Air Force's Mountain West Conference clash with San Diego State and joined previous black Air Force starters Demond Cash (1994) and Jarvis Baker (1991 and 1992).

Williams led the Redskins to a 42-10 win over the Broncos in Super Bowl XXII on Jan. 31, 1988.

Jefferson looked poised and impressive early, leading the Falcons 78 yards in 16 plays for a score on their first possession. He carried the ball five times on the drive, gaining 27 yards and scoring on a 1-yard run.

Jefferson also looked inexperienced at times, losing a fumble late in the first half in Air Force territory.

Youth served
Freshman tailback Asher Clark also made his first start. With freshman Anthony Wright making his third career start at cornerback, the Falcons had three freshmen in the starting lineup.

Clark scored his second career touchdown early in the third quarter on a 9-yard run to cap a 74-yard drive. He eclipsed 100 yards rushing, becoming the first Falcon freshman to do so since Qualario Brown gained 158 against San Jose State in 1997.

Old goes with new
While Air Force turned to its future by starting Jefferson and Clark in its offensive backfield, it reached into its past for its early offense.

Running the triple-option out of the double-wing formation, Air Force kept the ball on the ground until its fourth possession.

Etc.
San Diego native Todd Newell, a senior fullback, served as a game captain for the Falcons along with senior safety Luke Yeager and senior outside linebacker Hunter Altman. ... Senior defensive end Jake Paulson sacked San Diego State quarterback Drew Westling on the Aztecs' first possession of the second half. Paulson, who entered the game leading the nation with 1.4 sacks per game, has recorded at least one sack in five of the Falcons' six games.