Air Force beats No. 21 Colorado State 27-24 on late FG

  • Associated Press
  • Friday, November 28, 2014 7:07pm
  • SportsSports

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Weston Steelhammer certainly proved he has a fitting football name and did so in the clutch against his team’s biggest rival.

The sophomore safety followed a drive-ending interception late in the fourth quarter by helping stuff a fourth-and-short in the final minute.

That set up Will Conant’s last career kick at Falcon Stadium as the senior sent a 39-yard field goal just inside the left upright with no time remaining, lifting Air Force to a 27-24 upset of No. 21 Colorado State on Friday to snap the Rams’ nine-game winning streak.

An improbable victory considering the Falcons (9-3, 5-3 Mountain West) were missing their starting quarterback, leading rusher and facing one of the hottest teams in the country.

Oh, and not to mention they needed Steelhammer’s interception and the fourth-down stop to thwart two potential game-winning drives by Colorado State (10-2, 6-2) late in the final quarter.

“It takes two to tango at a high level and this is one of those games where the teams played well,” Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said. “I thought our guys did a heck of a job hanging in there.”

Fullbacks Shayne Davern and D.J. Johnson scored for Air Force, which has now won six straight over the Rams at home.

Backup quarterback Nate Romine stepped in for starter Kale Pearson, who was a late scratch with a tender right ankle. Romine ran for a score and threw for 135 yards, including a 26-yard strike to Garrett Brown to get the Falcons in field-goal range.

This after Colorado State went for it on fourth-and-2 at the Air Force 42, only to have Dee Hart stopped short when he ran right into Steelhammer and Troy Timmerman. It gave Air Force good field position with 38 seconds left.

A few plays later, they were well within the range of Conant, the most accurate kicker in school history. After a timeout by the Rams — Conant used the break to grab a quick drink of water — he drilled the kick and was mobbed by teammates.

“I got out there, looked up and (the flags on the goal posts) were straight down,” Conant explained. “I was like, ‘Yes! Let’s go!’”

The loss by the Rams ended any chance of them representing the Mountain Division in the league’s title game.

It also opened the door to some armchair quarterbacking: Why would the Rams risk going for it on fourth and short?

“If you can’t get a yard, you probably don’t deserve to win the game anyway,” Colorado State coach Jim McElwain said. “We chose to go for it. They did a great job at the point of attack. And we didn’t stop them on defense coming back.

“You know me by now. I’m not here to get a participation ribbon. We are going to go and try to win the ball game.”

This has been quite a season at home for the Falcons, who finished 6-0 in friendly confines. They beat Boise State in September and now Colorado State, which was off to its best start since 1994.

It’s also been quite the turnaround, too. Air Force has gone from two wins a season ago to nine this year, the biggest bounce-back in team history, surpassing the ‘58 squad that went 9-0-2 after going 3-6-1 the year before.

Garrett Grayson, a Heisman Trophy candidate, completed 23 of 46 for 366 yards and three scores. He also threw his first interception since Oct. 4.

“They came out in the first half and punched us in the mouth, and we didn’t answer back,” Grayson said. “We weren’t used to it. If someone punched us, we punched them back. We waited until the second half. Sometimes, it’s too late when you play a good team.”

His top target, Rashard Higgins, finished with 12 catches for 193 yards. Xavier Williams also added a 76-yard score.

“It’s disappointing and yet we’ve done some good things, too,” McElwain said. “We’ve got a bowl game coming up and we’ll have an opportunity to get some more practice in and play another game.”

Air Force was thin at tailback with leading rusher Jacobi Owens out for the season due to a foot injury and senior Jon Lee unavailable to play after the Academy announced just before kickoff he was no longer a cadet in good standing. The team wouldn’t elaborate on a reason, citing the privacy act.

Davern and Johnson picked up the slack, combining for 118 tough yards up the middle.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.