2006 Week 5

The Falcons delighted the fans in their home opener today, beating New Mexico 52-27. Despite some quirky scores by the Lobos, the Falcon offense was in high gear, racking up over 500 yards with a balanced attack for the second week in a row.

The Lobos offense was clicking in the first half. Three minutes into the game, QB #12 avoided a Perez sack, and threw off his back foot to WR #4. Nathan Smith went for the pick and missed, and WR #4 broke the tackle of Juliard Madrid and waltzed into the endzone for a long TD. Air Force answered with a score of their own, but QB #12 kept the pressure on with another hurried TD pass to a triple-covered WR #4. The Falcons then made enough adjustments to slow down the Lobos offense, while the Air Force offense continued to score at will, utilizing a good blend of run, pass, and playaction to keep the New Mexico defense on its toes. On defense Gilberto Perez took his game to another level registering 5 sacks and putting constant pressure in the backfield.

Keeping their starters in for the entire game, New Mexico managed to find the end zone twice more in the fourth quarter against the Falcon second string, but by that point the game was well in hand. The fist score came after a TD on 4th and goal was called back for holding. On the subsequent 4th and goal from the 19, QB #12 threaded the needle to WR #4 for their third TD hookup of the day. The secnd score came during slop time at the end of the game against a busted Falcon defense.

With this win, Air Force moves to 2-0 in conference play, and has shown more offense and a stronger defensive line than many predicted. The Falcons host Navy next Saturday.

Game Media:
[video] - Gilberto Perez blows over his blocker and makes a huge hit on New Mexico's quarterback.
[video] - New Mexico's HB #8 shows why he's not playing quarterback.