U.S. Air Force Academy sophomore running back Asher Clark runs 24 yards for a touchdown against University of Nevada, Las Vegas game Nov. 14, 2009, at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo. Clark, a native of Lawrenceville, Ga., had a career-high 160 rushing yards and three touchdowns in Air Force's 45-17 victory. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bill Evans)

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U.S. Air Force Academy wide receiver Jonathan Warzeka goes up for a pass from quarterback Tim Jefferson in the Air Force-University of Nevada, Las Vegas game Nov. 14, 2009, at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo. The pass was incomplete, but the defender, Rebels defensive back Travis Dixon, was penalized for pass interference. Warzeka, a sophomore from Lake Elsinore, Calif., had four receptions for 43 yards in the Falcons' 45-17 victory. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bill Evans)

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U.S. Air Force Academy sophomore quarterback Tim Jefferson drops back to pass during the Air Force-University of Nevada, Las Vegas game Nov. 14, 2009, at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo. Jefferson was 8-of-13 for 126 yards passing and rushed for 63 yards on eight carries. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bill Evans)

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U.S. Air Force Academy defensive lineman makes a tackle during the Air Force-University of Nevada, Las Vegas game Nov. 14, 2009, at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo. Garland, a senior from Grand Junction, Colo., had four tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, in the Falcons' final home game of the 2009 season. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)

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U.S. Air Force Academy defensive back Chris Thomas intercepts a pass intended for a University of Nevada, Las Vegas wide receiver in the end zone during the Falcons-Rebels game Nov. 14, 2009, at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo. The interception was the second this season for Thomas, a senior from Westerville, Ohio, and the fifth pick of his career. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)

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U.S. Air Force Academy sophomore running back Jared Tew runs between University of Nevada, Las Vegas linebackers during the Falcons-Rebels game Nov. 14, 2009, at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo. Tew, a native of Park City, Utah, rushed for 61 yards on 13 carries. The Falcons produced 431 yards on the ground and 557 total yards. (U.S. Air Force photo/Johnny Wilson)

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Football: Air Force triumphs in last 2009 home game, 45-17

Published Nov. 15, 2009
By Staff Sgt. Don Branum
U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFNS) -- U.S. Air Force Academy Falcons gained more than 550 yards of total offense as Falcons running back Asher Clark rushed for a career-high three touchdowns while the Air Force held the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Rebels to less than 300 total yards in a 45-17 rout at Falcon Stadium here Nov. 14.

The Falcons took a 7-0 lead on a 95-yard drive capped by a 24-yard touchdown run by Clark, and the Air Force never looked back.

Falcons head coach Troy Calhoun credited his seniors with the victory.

"They're great workers and have tremendous attitudes," Coach Calhoun said. "I just love how assertive they've been as leaders. That's absolutely the way it should be at the Air Force Academy. What's really neat is for these 15 seniors to be able to conclude the games they've played at Falcon Stadium this way."

The Rebels didn't score a touchdown until halfway through the third quarter after the Falcons fumbled at the Air Force 20. But the Falcons' defense held firm, forcing the Rebels to settle for a field goal.

The Falcons' rushing offense, ranked fourth best in the nation, gained 431 yards against the Rebels. Clark had a career-high 160 yards rushing in his first 100-plus-yard game of the season, including a season-long 40-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter for the game-ending score. Jared Tew gained 61 yards on 13 carries, giving him more than 1,000 career rushing yards.

Falcons quarterback Tim Jefferson was 8-of-13 for 126 yards, his second-best passing yardage of the season and the third straight game he's passed for 100 yards or more. His season-best 136 yards came against Army here Nov. 7. Jefferson's 63 rushing yards on eight carries is also a season high for the sophomore from Atlanta.

The Air Force next goes to Provo, Utah, for their last game of the season against Mountain West Conference opponent Brigham Young University Nov. 21. The Falcons are 7-4 on the season and 5-2 in the MWC.

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