AFA 35, Navy 34: Falcons cough up lead, block extra point in OT

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Despite everything it did wrong late in the game, Air Force was handed a reprieve in overtime, and it put all its trust in quarterback Tim Jefferson.

The fourth-quarter collapse that wiped out an 18-point lead and Navy’s touchdown to start overtime weren’t worth dwelling on. A controversial unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Navy in overtime allowed Air Force to block an extra point. The Falcons had their chance.

Air Force has built its program on running the ball. In overtime, the Falcons asked Jefferson to win the game with his arm.

Jefferson completed a 16-yard pass to Zack Kauth to start overtime. Then he threw to Kauth in the end zone, drawing a pass interference penalty. Jefferson took three quarterback sneaks, scoring on the third, Air Force kicked the extra point and had a dramatic 35-34 overtime win.

Jefferson is humble. He takes every opportunity to heap praise on his teammates. He credited his offensive line and receivers after completing 9-of-10 passes for 136 yards and a touchdown. But after an emotional wringer of a game, Jefferson also allowed himself to be proud of his defining moment as Air Force’s quarterback.

“They had confidence in me,” Jefferson said. “That’s what I’ve been asking for this entire time. When you play a position like quarterback, everybody is looking at you to be that guy. Today, I had to find places where I had to be that guy.

“It’s a team game, but at the same time, big-time players have to step up in big-time games.”

From the first drive of the game, when Jefferson hit Ty MacArthur for a 52-yard touchdown, to Asher Clark’s 6-yard touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter that put the Falcons ahead 28-10, there was little reason to believe Air Force would have nervous moments at the end. But the defense, which played well for three quarters, cratered in the fourth.

“There was no question that we ran out of gas,” Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said.

Navy scored a touchdown with 9:34 left, a field goal with 2:04 left and then recovered an onside kick. After a touchdown pass with 19 seconds left, fullback Alexander Teich scored the 2-point conversion to tie it.

“When they were able to tie it up, I was about to throw up, to be honest,” receiver Jonathan Warzeka said.

Going into overtime, Air Force’s sideline was on edge.

“Stomach punch might be putting it mildly,” Calhoun said. “You got ripped right in the teeth, the nose and the eyes. You couldn’t take a harder right.”

In overtime, quarterback Kriss Proctor scored a 1-yard touchdown. Then Proctor said something to an Air Force defender, and a penalty flag came from the back judge for unsportsmanlike conduct.

“I would hope the referees would have said something like, ‘Settle down,’ in that situation,” Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “It’s too critical of a call to make.”

Backed up 15 yards, the trajectory of Navy’s extra point was just low enough to let outside linebacker Alex Means block it.

Calhoun credited offensive coordinator Mike Thiessen with the gutsy pass calls to start overtime. That got Air Force to the goal line, Jefferson punched it in, Parker Herrington kicked the extra point, and Air Force’s players poured on the field.

“I don’t have any emotions left right now. I’m drained,” Kauth said. “It was amazing. I’m never going to forget this moment or this feeling.”

The Gazette's David Ramsey and Frank Schwab chatted during the game and you can see the replay. They're also on Twitter @GazetteAirForce and @davidramz - use the hashtag #afanavy.