Highlights, key plays and photos from Utah State’s loss at Air Force

Brandon Judd
·7 min read
Air Force quarterback Zac Larrier (9) runs downfield for a first down against Utah State safeties Anthony Switzer (1) and Ike Larsen (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Air Force Academy, Colo., Friday, Sept. 15, 2023.
Air Force quarterback Zac Larrier (9) runs downfield for a first down against Utah State safeties Anthony Switzer (1) and Ike Larsen (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Air Force Academy, Colo., Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. | Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP
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Final score

Air Force 39, Utah State 21

After the first quarter, this one was never in doubt as Air Force rolled past visiting Utah State.

The Falcons ran for 344 yards and outscored the Aggies 22-0 in the first quarte.

Will Utah State have a new quarterback the next time out?

McCae Hillstead came on in relief of a struggling Cooper Legas in the second quarter and threw three touchdowns as USU outscored the Falcons 21-10 after he was inserted into the game.

Fourth quarter

Air Force 39, Utah State 21

8:43 — McCae Hillstead threw his third touchdown of the game, hitting Micah Davis for the 6-yard touchdown on fourth-and-2. Davis got the Aggies into scoring position with a leaping, one-handed 31-yard catch earlier on the drive. Air Force 39, Utah State 21.

13:35 — Utah State turned the ball over on downs inside the Air Force 20, after a promising drive stalled out thanks in part to back-to-back sacks that put the Aggies into a fourth-and-16 situation that McCae Hillstead and the USU offense couldn’t pick up.

Third quarter

Air Force 39, Utah State 14

5:10 — Utah State countered with its own touchdown, as McCae Hillstead capped a 10-play, 79-yard drive with a 9-yard pass to Jalen Royals. That gives Hillstead two touchdown passes on the night. Air Force 39, Utah State 14.

8:45 — The Falcons turned a short field into points, as Emmanuel Michel scored his third touchdown of the game on a 2-yard run on third-and-goal. Utah State tried an onside kick to start the third quarter, but Air Force recovered at the USU 46. Air Force 39, Utah State 7.

First half

Air Force 32, Utah State 7

Utah State was dominated in the first half.

Air Force put up 277 yards of total offense and scored touchdowns on its first four possessions to build a commanding lead, while the Falcons defense forced a pair of critical turnovers that both led to Air Force touchdowns.

The Aggies shook things up as quarterback McCae Hillstead took over the offense, and he led Utah State on its only scoring drive of the first half, giving a promising look into the future.

Other than that, though, it’s been a long night thus far for the visiting Aggies.

Air Force defensive back Jamari Bellamy, left, and linebacker Bo Richter (8) jump on a Utah State fumble during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Air Force Academy, Colo., Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. | Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP
Air Force defensive back Jamari Bellamy, left, and linebacker Bo Richter (8) jump on a Utah State fumble during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Air Force Academy, Colo., Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. | Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP
Air Force quarterback Zac Larrier (9) celebrates with running back John Lee Eldridge III (24) after scoring against Utah State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Air Force Academy, Colo., Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. | Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP
Air Force quarterback Zac Larrier (9) celebrates with running back John Lee Eldridge III (24) after scoring against Utah State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Air Force Academy, Colo., Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. | Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP
Air Force running back Owen Burk, center top, leaps over a tackle-attempt by Utah State safety Ike Larsen, center bottom, for a first down during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Air Force Academy, Colo., Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. | Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP
Air Force running back Owen Burk, center top, leaps over a tackle-attempt by Utah State safety Ike Larsen, center bottom, for a first down during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Air Force Academy, Colo., Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. | Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP
Air Force linebacker PJ Ramsey, front left, sacks Utah State quarterback Cooper Legas, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Air Force Academy, Colo., Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. | Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP
Air Force linebacker PJ Ramsey, front left, sacks Utah State quarterback Cooper Legas, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Air Force Academy, Colo., Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. | Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP
Air Force quarterback Zac Larrier (9) runs downfield for a first down against Utah State safeties Anthony Switzer (1) and Ike Larsen (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Air Force Academy, Colo., Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. | Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP
Air Force quarterback Zac Larrier (9) runs downfield for a first down against Utah State safeties Anthony Switzer (1) and Ike Larsen (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Air Force Academy, Colo., Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. | Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP
Air Force linebacker Johnathan Youngblood (44) is tackled by Utah State wide receiver Jalen Royals, bottom, after making an interception during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Air Force Academy, Colo., Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. | Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP
Air Force linebacker Johnathan Youngblood (44) is tackled by Utah State wide receiver Jalen Royals, bottom, after making an interception during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Air Force Academy, Colo., Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. | Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP
Utah State running back Rahsul Faison, right, runs against Air Force linebacker Johnathan Youngblood, left, during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Air Force Academy, Colo., Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. | Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP
Utah State running back Rahsul Faison, right, runs against Air Force linebacker Johnathan Youngblood, left, during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Air Force Academy, Colo., Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. | Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP
Air Force defensive lineman Caden Blum (87) and defensive end Daniel Grobe (95) pressure Utah State quarterback McCae Hillstead (10) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Air Force Academy, Colo., Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. | Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP
Air Force defensive lineman Caden Blum (87) and defensive end Daniel Grobe (95) pressure Utah State quarterback McCae Hillstead (10) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Air Force Academy, Colo., Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. | Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP

Second quarter

Air Force 32, Utah State 7

0:00 - Matthew Dapore hit a 49-yard field goal as the first half expired to give Air Force a 25-point lead at halftime.

1:58 — Utah State finally got on the board, as true freshman QB McCae Hillstead hit Terrell Vaughn for a 2-yard touchdown. That ended an 11-play, 57-yard drive where it looked like Utah State had been stopped on a fourth-and-goal, only to have Air Force get called for a face mask to extend the drive. Air Force 29, Utah State 7.

The Aggies brought in Levi Williams at quarterback for a few plays near the goal line before Hillstead came back in to throw the touchdown.

11:15 — Utah State is trying to shake it up on offense and brought in true freshman McCae Hillstead at quarterback.

11:15 — The Falcons capitalized on another Utah State turnover. After Cooper Legas threw an interception at the Air Force 20 — squandering a promising drive — Air Force marched 72 yards and capped its fourth touchdown drive with a 13-yard John Eldridge III touchdown run. Air Force 29, Utah State 0.

First quarter

Air Force 22, Utah State 0

0:11 — Emmanuel Michel scored on his second short run of the first quarter, as his 2-yard run capped a 79-yard touchdown drive for Air Force. The Falcons are in control against visiting Utah State. Air Force 22, Utah State 0.

5:17 — Air Force quickly capitalized on a Utah State turnover, as Zac Larrier ran in from 4 yards out for the Falcons’ second touchdown of the quarter. This came after Cooper Legas lost a fumble at the USU 11. Air Force 15, Utah State 0.

7:04 — Emmanuel Michel scored on a 1-yard run for Air Force, as the Falcons put up a touchdown on their first drive of the game. The Falcons drove 63 yards in 12 plays on the drive. After the Aggies were offsides twice on the point-after attempt, Air Force successfully ran for a two-point conversion. Air Force 8, Utah State 0.

Pregame prep

Here are a few stories to get you ready for Utah State’s game against Air Force:

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