Sept 29, 2001
SAN DIEGO (AP) - Once Air Force got rolling, there was no stopping the Falcons.
Playing its first game in three weeks, Air Force got three TD runs from Keith Boyea and converted four turnovers into 17 points in a 45-21 victory over San Diego State on Saturday night.
Boyea rushed for 88 yards and passed for 92 as the Falcons (2-1, 1-0 Mountain West) handed the Aztecs (1-3, 1-1) their seventh straight home loss.
"We really deserved to win," Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry said. "I think we sent out a great message as to the potential of this team."
Boyea, who sat out most of the fourth quarter, scored on runs of 3, 2 and 7 yards as the Falcons took a 28-14 halftime lead. He also completed 6 of 14 passes.
James Burns added a pair of 1-yard TD runs for the Falcons, who converted 12 of 18 third-down plays and had four scoring drives of 70 yards or more.
The Falcons rushed 66 times for 307 yards and gained 427 yards in total offense as they matched their point total from last season's 45-24 victory over San Diego State.
"Our line wore them down and just dominated," Boyea said. "It made a big difference in the second half when we pulled away."
The Aztecs led 14-7 in the first quarter, but could not overcome their four turnovers.
"When you turn the ball over as many times as we did, it's hard to stay in the game," San Diego State Ted Tollner said.
Larry Ned gained 178 yards on 24 carries and scored on runs of 1 and 5 yards, but he also lost two fumbles.
Lon Sheriff threw for 194 yards, completing 12 of 20 passes and J.R. Tolver caught five passes for 127 yards.
"That was pretty ugly," Sheriff said. "Air Force is a good team, but there is no way we should have let things get so out of hand."
Air Force tied it at 14 in the second quarter on Boyea's 2-yard touchdown. The Falcons took the lead for good following an interception by noseguard Zach Johnson at the San Diego State 28.
Boyea rushed three times down to the 1, where Burns scored on the next play for a 21-14 lead. Boyea added his third touchdown just 31 seconds before halftime.
Air Force took the second-half kickoff and drove 73 yards on 13 plays, with Burns scoring again on a 1-yard run.
The Falcons were playing their first game since Sept. 8 due to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and an off week.