Courtesy of Air Force

On the heels of another dominant defensive performance, sprinkled in with a big play on offense, #22 Air Force remained unbeaten with a gutsy 17-6 win at Navy in the opening leg of the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy competition Saturday afternoon at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md.  The win lifted the Falcons to 7-0 on the season and its fifth straight over the Midshipmen.

Air Force stifled the Navy offense, allowing just 124 yards of total offense, including 22 yards on the ground on 35 carries.  The Falcons held the Midshipmen without a score until their final drive of the game late in the fourth quarter.  Air Force forced Navy to punt on 10 of its first 11 possessions and then had back-to-back interceptions on the following two possessions after.

The Air Force offense went to the air for production, as Navy made the run game difficult.  The first score of the game came on a 94-yard strike by quarterback Zac Larrier to wide receiver Dane Kinamon to put the Falcons up 7-0 at the 14:58 mark in the second quarter.  It was the longest pass-play in program history.  Air Force had more passing yards than rushing in the game, throwing for 151 and running for 137.

The Falcons made it 10-0 late in the third quarter after kicker Matt Dapore connected on a 40-yard field goal.

The Falcons defense then put the game way in the fourth quarter when linebacker Alec Mock intercepted Navy backup quarterback Tai Lavatai at the Navy and 18 and ran it back for the pick-six touchdown to make it 17-0.

Navy scored its touchdown with 50 seconds left in regulation as Lavatai hit slot back Eli Heidenrich on a 10-yard touchdown pass.

The Falcons recovered the ensuing onside kick and were able to close out the game.

Air Force improves to 7-0 for the first time since 1997.  The 7-0 start is the fourth-best in program history.  Air Force also extended their overall win streak to 12 games, which is the fourth-longest active streak in the FBS.  The streak is the second-longest in Air Force history and one away from the record of 13, set from 1984-85.

Air Force’s leading rusher was senior fullback Emmanuel Michel, who ran for 69 yards on 22 carries.  Larrier was 4 of 5 passing on the day for 151 yards.

Defensively, senior linebacker Johnathan Youngblood posted a career-high 13 tackles, including two for loss.  Senior linebacker Bo Richter had seven tackles, including four for loss.  Junior defensive back Jamari Bellamy also had Air Force’s first interception, the second of his career.

Air Force returns to action next Saturday, Oct. 28 at Colorado State.  The game kicks as 5 pm MT and will be broadcast by CBS Sports Network.