The Air Force Academy played a game of keep away with the Broncos on Saturday and it nearly worked. The Boise State defense was exhausted by Air Force’s use of intricate formations, triple options and reverses challenging Boise State’s quickness, speed, intelligence and perhaps most importantly, their stamina.
Air Force’s attack of Boise State resembled what Nevada did to defeat the Broncos last season. The Falcons controlled the ball the majority of the game. For example, the second quarter Air Force had the ball for 12:28 to Boise State’s 2:32. The long, methodical drives wore out the Boise State defense. It didn’t help the defense’s cause when Boise State’s offense would march down the field and score.
“It was a really hard fought game on both sides,” senior defensive end Billy Winn said. “I’m sure both sides were really worn out after this game.”
Air Force sustained its drives by converting nine times on third down and four times on fourth down.
“When you know you have them on third and long, I’m not going lie, it’s frustrating,” senior linebacker Byron Hout said. “You have to get your head onto the next play and forget what happened on the previous play. I was proud of the way our defense competed in all the drives.”
There were moments when Boise State’s defense was relentless but there were also moments when Boise State’s last man would stop the ball carrier. The Broncos’ tackling also struggled at times. Air Force’s strong running backs are hard to take down but there were moments when Boise State flat out missed.
The play of the game came when Boise State pushed the Falcons to a fourth down and four. Air Force Head Coach Troy Calhoun channeled his inner Chris Petersen and decided to run a fake punt. Instead of converting the first down, the ball was fumbled, becoming free. Senior nickelback Hunter White snatched up the loose ball and returned it 16 yards for his first career touchdown.
“Hunter is our special teams guru,” Winn said. “Anytime he scores a touchdown you know you’re going to hear about.“
Hout led all players with 18 tackles and newly reinstated defensive lineman Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe had the game’s only sack.
Not all wins are easy ones. Good teams win the close games and despite fatigue, and muscle cramps, the Broncos’ defense battled just well enough to help Boise State’s effort for their seventh win of the season.
The Broncos have the next week off to rest and heal their bodies. Billy Winn put it best when he said, “It couldn’t come at a better time.”