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COLORADO — "I think we got thumped in every way that you can diagnose it."
You're right Troy Calhoun, you did.
The Aggie offense rolled up 577 yards of total offense and 52 points on you, their highest point total since 2011; 21 of those points coming in the third quarter alone. The offense deserves all the credit in the world for their performance; putting up numbers like that on conference opponent, on the road requires a near perfect performance.
However, a few of the key scoring drives for the offense were set up by the defense; more specifically Zach Vigil.
After the Aggies scored on their first drive, the defense got the ball right back. The Falcons' first play from scrimmage, Zach Vigil squared up quarterback Jaleel Awini and put his helmet right on the ball, forcing a fumble. Kyler Fackrell recovered and four plays later, Joe Hill scored on a one yard touchdown run. A key play that set them up to take a 14 point lead in the first quarter on the road.
Third quarter, after Ronald Butler's touchdown made it 30-13, Vigil tackled Anthony LaCoste for a one yard loss on third down, setting up a fourth and three. Air Force tried a fake punt, Jake Doughty and Vigil stopped him short, Aggies took over and three plays later, Keeton's 20 yard touchdown pass and the Aggies took a 25 point lead.
Next Falcons drive, Air Force in reeling and in desperate need of anything good; Vigil slammed the door with another third down stop. The offense once again wasted no time, Keeton found Travis Reynolds for a 36 yard touchdown and what was once an 11 point game at the beginning the quarter, became a 32 point lead in a hurry.
Now don't get me wrong, Vigil wasn't the only guy out their making plays. Jake Doughty led the team with tackles for the second week in a row and Zach's brother, Nick, made a key third down stop on the Falcons first drive of the quarter that set up the Butler touchdown; it's just hard to ignore Zach's presence at the heart of these key plays that shifted the momentum and set up game changing touchdowns.
