Falcons’ loss finishes season

  • Published
  • By John Van Winkle
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) --  The San Diego State end zone was Falcon-free as the Aztecs dealt Air Force a 24-3 loss to end the Falcons’ football season Nov. 22.

“It’s the first time since the 2001 opener that Air Force has been held without a touchdown,” said Tom Craft, San Diego State head coach. “We were glad that we were able to come back and play the way we did against a team like Air Force.”

The Aztecs held the Falcons’ rushing game to only 191 yards, in San Diego.

"We've only scored 15 points in the last two weeks, and that's pretty disappointing, but we've played two pretty good defensive football teams these two weeks," said Fisher DeBerry, Falcons head coach.

The San Diego-Air Force game put the conference's two best defenses on the same field, he said.

"So, when the score was 3-3 at halftime, I wasn't surprised," DeBerry said.

San Diego showed their depth of talent in the second half. Injuries had turned many backups into starters, including quarterback Matt Dlugolecki, who passed for 226 yards against the Falcons. But his best move was handing off to converted defensive back Hubert Caliste, who threw a 25-yard touchdown to Devin Pitts. The extra point gave the Aztecs a 10-3 lead.

Running back Michael Franklin then scored from 17 yards out on a delay to give the Aztecs a 17-3 lead at the end of the third quarter.

The final nail in the coffin came with 1 minute, 32 seconds left on the clock, as Aztec defensive back Marviel Underwood picked off a pass from Falcons’ quarterback Chance Harridge and ran it back 74 yards for another Aztec touchdown.

Falcon fans then got a look at things to come, when backup quarterback Adam Fitch took the remainder of the snaps. Fitch completed passes to Alec Messerall and J.P. Waller, and was three for five passing in a last-second attempt to break into the end zone. Fitch's final pass to Anthony Park fell short as time ran out.

"You have to give San Diego State credit,” DeBerry said. “They came in wounded; … we were wounded too, but they made the plays. (I) give coach Tom Craft and his staff credit for getting them ready to play. They took advantage of their opportunities.

"The bottom line is that we have not been able to score points; we have not been able to get turnovers; we have not been able to get their offense off the field," DeBerry said.

"But it's not for a lack of effort. Our kids fought hard. They have a lot of pride. We made some mistakes that we have to correct, but we will be better next year,” he said. “We expect a lot more from Falcon football than four losses in the conference."

The loss ends the Falcons' regular season at 7-5 and makes a bowl bid unlikely. The Falcons are in fourth place in the eight-team Mountain West Conference, and the conference only has three bowl game contracts.

"If I was a betting man, I wouldn't bet on our getting into a bowl game. We're on the outside looking in," DeBerry said. "We don't have control over what happens."

But four Air Force seniors have at least one more game to go before putting away their football helmets and shoulder pads for the final time. Linebacker Marchello Graddy will play in the Hula Bowl in January, while Harridge and tight end Adam Strecker will play in the Las Vegas All-American Classic and offensive guard Brett Huyser will play in the East-West Shrine Classic.

As the players prepare for their Thanksgiving break, the coach challenged the returning players to replace the team's 17 senior starters, step up as leaders, and find a way to improve on this year's accomplishments.

"The only answer you have is hard work, with the determination of getting better," DeBerry said. "The Falcons will be back."