Nov. 13, 2004
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By JOHN MARSHAL
AP Sports Writer
AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Kevin O'Connell threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns, and Brandon Bornes ran for 103 yards and two more scores to help San Diego State end a six-game losing streak with a 37-31 victory over Air Force on Saturday.
San Diego State (3-7, 1-5 Mountain West) won its first conference game with a balanced offense and opportunistic defense. O'Connell was 17-for-32 despite frigid temperatures and the Aztecs scored 17 points in the third quarter after forcing two turnovers and blocking a punt.
Adam Fitch ran for a career-high 135 yards and two touchdowns before getting hurt in the third quarter, but shoddy defense and six turnovers assured Air Force (4-6, 2-3) of its first losing season since 1993 - third in coach Fisher DeBerry's 21 seasons.
The Falcons got little pressure on O'Connell and missed numerous tackles, giving up more than 400 yards (456) for the fourth straight game.
Air Force led 21-17 at halftime despite three turnovers, but couldn't overcome its mistakes in the second half.
The Falcons forced a fumble on San Diego State's first drive of the third quarter, only to give it right back when Justin Handley was stripped by Blake Lobel. O'Connell hit Robert Ortiz on a 27-yard touchdown pass the next play.
Air Force's Anthony Butler then fumbled the kickoff, setting up Garrett Palmer' 27-yard field goal that put the Aztecs up 27-21.
The Falcons' next gaffe came - no surprise - on a punt.
Coming around the right end, Freddie Keiaho went in untouched and blocked Donny Heaton's kick out of bounds at Air Force's 15. DeBerry tossed his hat in disgust after watching his team give up a blocked punt for the fourth time in three home games, and Bornes scored three plays later on a 4-yard run for a 13-point lead.
Air Force answered with Michael Greenaway's 22-yard field goal and cut the lead to 34-31 on a 10-yard touchdown run by Shaun Carney, who came in after Fitch bruised his ribs late in the third quarter.
Palmer followed with a 29-yard field goal and Air Force had one final drive in driving snow, but Kirk Morrison intercepted Carney's pass at the 3 with 13 seconds left.
The Aztecs didn't seem bothered by the frigid conditions in the early going, moving 53 yards in five plays for O'Connell's 17-yard touchdown pass to Eric Miclot. San Diego then went up 14-7 seven seconds into the second quarter on Bornes' 1-yard dive off right tackle.
Air Force, on the other hand, took a little while to get warmed up.
Fitch's lob pass down the sideline on the game's first play was intercepted by Heath Farwell and the Falcons didn't have a first down in the first 12 minutes.
Air Force finally got rolling when Fitch broke a tackle at the line and took off up the middle for 63-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter. Air Force moved 67 yards in 12 plays its next drive, capped by Fitch's 4-yard run on an option right.
Adam Cole added a 3-yard touchdown run with 2 minutes left.