By: Brian Clark - RamLine writer
The final Score from Falcon Stadium at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs - Colorado State University 27, the Air Force Falcons 20. The Rams improve their overall record to 2-1 on the year, and 1-0 in the Western Athletic Conference.
The Falcons (2-1 overall and in the WAC) dropped their first conference game today. They had previously beaten Brigham Young and Wyoming.
BRIGHT SPOTS FOR THE RAMS: Daren Wilkinson may have solidified the starting quarterback spot for the Rams with a 17 of 25 performance for 241 yards and two touchdowns.
With most of the WAC games taking place later tonight, cornerback Raymond Jackson is the early favorite for conference special teams player of the week. Air Force had moved the ball all the way to the CSU 20 yard line with :06 left in the first half and would have taken a 10-7 lead at the break had it not been for Jackson blocking the attempt. Then, following an Air Force touchdown in the fourth quarter, Jackson blocked a Randy Roberts' point-after attempt to keep the Rams' lead at seven points. Jackson was honorable mention All-WAC in 1994.
Middle linebacker Karl Ballard came up big in his fourth start as a Ram. The senior had 23 tackles in the game - 8 unassisted and 15 assisted - and was named the ABC/Chevrolet player of the Game for CSU.
Wide receiver Paul Turner rebounded nicely from last week's game against Colorado. He hauled in six passes for 107 yards and two touchdowns. Halfback Darrell Ballard helped out in the hands department with five catches for 78 yards.
Fullback E.J. Watson picked up 128 rushing yards on 26 carries with two touchdowns - the last representing the margin of victory over the Falcons.Damon Washington picked up 65 hard-fought yards on 11 carries.
The Rams waited until the last minute - 34 seconds to be exact - to pick off the first pass from Falcon QB Beau Morgan. The Falcons' last-second drive came to a screeching halt when free safety Greg Myers intercepted a pass at the 10 yard line. Myers finished the game with 5 unassisted tackles and 10 assisted.
Morgan had been almost perfect to that point, completing 10 of 15 passes for 85 yards and a touchdown, and rushing for a team-high 126 yards.
The Rams tallied 424 yards of total offense today - 183 on the ground and 241 through the air - with an average gain of 6.4 yards per play.
The Rams do not have a game next week. Their next game will be Sept. 30 against Brigham Young (0-2) at Hughes Stadium. Game time is 12 p.m. The Cougars play San Diego State tonight at 7:30 p.m.
RAMLINE STAFF for today's Game
Brian Clark, Writer
Josh Brauer, Producer
Howie Grapek, Assistant Producer