ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Air Force Falcons scored on all four first half drives, taking advantage of a pair of Lobo fumbles as the Falcons took down UNM in its Mountain West opener, winning 38-10.  The loss is UNM’s third straight and UNM is 2-3 overall and 0-1 in the Mountain West.  Air Force improved to 1-1 in the league and 4-1 overall.

UNM had a miserable first half, gaining just 46 total yards and one first down.  The Lobos opened with the ball but only picked up nine yards and punted the ball away.  The Falcons took over and went 73 yards in 10 plays with Haaziq Daniels scoring from a yard out.  UNM then picked up a first down but after a play in which Terry Wilson lost his helmet, Trae Hall stepped in at quarterback and was strip-sacked at his own 41-yard line. The Lobo defense held to a field goal, but disaster struck on the next play as Aaron Dumas fumbled on first down and Air Force recovered at the Lobo 33.

The Falcons got a touchdown on that drive, and the next to make it 24-0.  At 17-0, UNM had a golden chance when the Falcons fumbled a pitch.  Jerrick Reed was swooping in the scoop and score but another Lobo on the ground reached out and got a hand on the football and Air Force ended up recovering and eventually scoring.

UNM was down 31-0 in third when the Lobos finally got on the board.  Terry Wilson drove UNM 80 yards, nearly all through the air, connecting to Luke Wysong, CJay Boone and Mannie Logan-Greene, all for first downs.  With the ball at the 21-yard line, Wilson hit Trae Hall for a touchdown as Hall lined up at receiver.  It marked Hall’s second career touchdown reception.

Down 38-7 after a long touchdown run, the Lobos inched closer in the fourth on a season-long 49-yard Andrew Shelley field goal, but that was all they could muster.  UNM had a chance to score in the final three minutes, but after getting to the Air Force 21-yard line, UNM couldn’t get any closer, turning the ball over on a interception on fourth down as Wilson tried to make a play.

Overall UNM allowed 441 yards to 226 on offense, with 179 of that through the air.  UNM ran just 43 plays to Air Force’s 75.

Postgame Notes

This was the 39th meeting between the two teams.

Air Force now leads 25-14 all-time

Air Force now leads 11-10 in Albuquerque

Air Force has now won four straight in the series

Starting lineup changes for UNM from published two-deep

Offense: CJay Boone started for Andrew Erickson at WR, Luke Wysong started for Mannie Logan-Greene at WR.

Defense: Ronald Wilson started for Patrick Peek at WOLF, Bryce Santana started at NT for Devin Sanders as UNM used four down linemen and two linebackers.

*New Mexico’s captains were Terry Wilson, Jerrick Reed II, Kyle Stapley and Joey Noble.

*New Mexico’s Bryce Santana carried the state flag of New Mexico onto the field.

*New Mexico won the toss and elected to receive.  UNM has received the opening kickoff in 11 of Danny Gonzales’ 12 games (Houston Baptist is the only exception).

TEAM NOTES:

*Air Force’s field goal after a Trae Hall fumble was the first points allowed this season off a turnover.  UNM had not allowed a point in four previous turnovers.  Air Force ended up scoring 10 points off UNM’s two turnovers.

*UNM’s streak of getting at least one takeaway ended at 10 straight games.

*The Lobos gained just 47 yards rushing is the fewest rushing yards for UNM since September 4, 2010 when the Lobos had just 25 against Oregon.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES:

*Bryce Santana made his first career start.

*Trae Hall’s touchdown reception in the third quarter gave UNM nine touchdowns on the season, and Hall became the ninth player to score one this year.

*Andrew Shelley connected from 49 yards out, a season-best.  He has now made five in a row and he is 7-for-9 on the season.

*Joey Noble’s 18 tackles were a career-high.  He had 11 last year against Air Force.

*Jerrick Reed’s 14 tackles were also a career-high.  He had 12 in his last game at UTEP.

*Running back Bobby Cole was ejected for targeting on a block on a kick return and he will miss the first half of the San Diego State game.

*Hall tied with Luke Wysong for most catches with three in the game.

*Aaron Rodriguez punted four times for a 42.0-yard average, and that was also his net.

*Mannie Logan-Greene had one kick return for 45 yards, and that improved his season average to 33.2 yards per return.