Utah State Aggies at Air Force Falcons
Falcon Stadium – Colorado Springs, Colorado
Saturday, September 7, 2013, 3:30 pm Eastern, TV: CBS Sports Network
Opening Line: Utah State -7 1/2
Current Line: Utah State -9 1/2
Opening Total: 61
Current Total: 60 1/2
Opening Money Line: Utah St -380 / Air Force +315
Current Money Line: Utah St -365 / Air Force +305
The Utah State Aggies play their first Mountain West game Saturday as they travel to the Air Force Falcons. Utah State moved from the now defunct WAC to the MWC this season along with San Jose State. The Aggies and Falcons have played only once in history. Air Force won in Colorado Springs way back in 1969.
Utah State lost at rival Utah last Thursday 30-26. The loss snapped a 7 game winning streak for the Aggies. It was also the coaching debut for Matt Wells. Utah State was a 2 point underdog and the total was 52 against Utah. The Utes jumped out to a 14-3 lead at the end of the first quarter. Utah St came back to take a 17-14 lead at halftime. The Aggies would then score early in the third to make it 23-14 but missed the extra point. Utah would score 2 late third quarter touchdowns to take a 24-23 lead. Utah St kicked a 24 yard field goal early in the fourth to regain the lead. The Utes regained the lead with a 19 yard field goal with 6:38 left. Utah St would not score again, and Utah kicked a 38 yard field goal with 19 seconds left to ice it and also cover the spread. Utah State has lost only 4 games in the last 20, and all four losses are by a total of 10 points.
Utah State outgained Utah 487-450 and the Aggies had 27 first downs to the Utes’ 24. The Aggies were 10/17 on third down conversions, and Utah was 8/17 on third and fourth down conversions. Each team had a turnover. Utah State had 7 penalties for 94 yards and Utah had 5 for 30.
Utah State quarterback Chuckie Keeton completed 31 of 40 passes for 314 yards and 2 touchdowns, and also rushed for 85 yards on 15 carries with a touchdown. Running back Joe Hill had 18 carries for 75 yards and also added 7 catches for 39 yards. Receiver Travis Van Leeuwen had 5 catches for 107 yards. Brandon Swindall had only 3 catches, but two went for touchdowns.
Air Force, coached by Troy Calhoun, pasted Colgate 38-13 Saturday. The Falcons did not cover the 26.5 point spread and the game went under the 66.5 point total. Colgate actually led 7-0 at the end of the first but Air Force would score 3 second quarter touchdowns and would never trail again. The Falcons would actually score 38 unanswered points before Colgate scored with less than a minute left to get inside the number. The Raiders missed the extra point to lose by 25.
Air Force had 481 total yards including 409 rushing yards. The Falcons had 28 first downs and were 10/13 on third downs. Air Force overcame 8 penalties for 75 yards. neither team had a turnover. The Falcons held Colgate to 300 yards and 19 first downs.
Air Force quarterback Kale Pearson was 5/8 passing for 46 yards, and also had 3 carries for 15 yards. He left the game in the second with a knee injury, and did not return. Reports say he has a torn ACL and is done for the year. Back-up Jaleel Awini now becomes the starter. He completed 2 of his 3 passes for 26 yards and rushed for -3 yards. Running back Jon Lee had 11 carries for 130 yards and 2 touchdowns. Broam Hart had 18 catches, 101 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Utah State is 4-0-1 ATS in September, 6-1-1 after a straight up loss, 11-2-1 overall, 5-1-1 in road games, 4-1 after passing for more than 280 yards, 9-3-1 in conference games, 19-7-3 in road games against teams with winning home records, 18-7-1 against teams with winning records, 7-3 after failing to cover, 11-5 on grass, and 34-16-2 after gaining more than 450 yards.
Air Force is 8-21 ATS after passing for less than 170 yards, 7-19 on grass, 2-6 in September, 1-4 after a straight up win, at home against teams with losing road records, and after allowing less than 170 passing yards, 1-5 in Mountain West games, and at home, 1-6 after allowing less than 20 points, 0-4 after failing to cover, against teams with winning records, after rushing for 200 yards or more, 0-5 after gaining more than 450 total yards, and 0-6 overall.
At first glance, this might seem like a lot of points for Utah St on the road against a tough Mountain West team. However, no one knows how Air Force will play without Pearson. Awini didn’t do much against Colgate but he didn’t really need to either. He will have to play much better against Utah St and Boise St next week. I like Utah State to win on the road.
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