MWC roundup: Air Force clinches Mountain division


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BOISE — In the Mountain West Conference matchup of the week, Air Force (8-3, 6-1) defeated Boise State (7-4, 4-3) 37-30 to help clinch its spot in the Mountain West championship.

The Falcon offense was electric against a strong Bronco defense. Quarterback Karson Roberts went 9 of 16 for 279 yards passing and two touchdowns, including 66 rushing yards and a touchdown. Roberts has proven over the past couple of weeks that he can sling the ball effectively.

The ground game was led by running back Jacobi Owens who finished with 20 carries for 145 yards. With just one regular season game left, the Falcons are third in the FBS in rushing offense, averaging 332.4 rush yards per game.

The Falcons will take on the New Mexico Lobos in an irrelevant game, in the long-term, next week before taking on San Diego State in the Mountain West championship Dec. 3.

Utah State (6-5, 5-3) stayed undefeated at home with its 31-27 victory over Nevada (6-5, 4-3), and Fresno State (3-8, 2-5) was blown out on the road to BYU 52-10.

Here are the rest of the results from the Mountain West Conference from Week 12:

Colorado State (6-5, 4-3) 28, New Mexico (6-5, 4-3) 21

The Lobos blew their chance at the Mountain West championship, losing to the Rams. If they would've won, next week's matchup with the Falcons would have decided the Mountain division champion.

Lobo quarterback Lamar Jordan was completely shut down. He finished 4 of 9 for 58 yards and three interceptions. The only reason the Lobos were in the game was for their running game. Jordan rushed for 97 yards and a touchdown and running backs Teriyon Gipson and Jhurell Pressley ran for a combined 151 yards and two touchdowns. But it just wasn't enough.

The Rams were led by star receiver Rashard Higgins, who finished the game with eight receptions for 140 yards. Despite not scoring a touchdown, Higgins' ability to get deep catches, his long was a 41-yard reception, helped the Rams to a big conference victory.

The Rams will travel to Fresno to take on the Bulldogs in their regular season finale.

San Diego State (8-3, 7-0) 52, UNLV (3-8, 2-5) 14

While already claiming their spot in the Mountain West championship last week, the Aztecs didn't play conservatively against the Rebels. Star running back Donnel Pumphrey led the Aztecs with 14 carries for 139 yards (9.9 yards per carry) and two touchdowns. The Aztec running game accounted for five of the team's six touchdowns on the night.

With the postseason out of reach, the Rebels were looking to gain some sort of momentum heading into the 2016 season. The only bright spot for the Rebels was sophomore receiver Kendal Keys, who finished with eight receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown. Keys and Devonte Boyd will lead the Rebel receiving attack next season.

The Aztecs' regular season finale will also be Senior Night against the Wolf Pack as the Rebels will host the Cowboys.

San Jose State (5-6, 4-3) 42, Hawaii (2-10, 0-8) 23

The Spartans kept their postseason hopes alive with a big win over the Warriors. Running back Tyler Ervin finished with 20 carries for 114 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Kenny Potter had a big day as well, finishing with nine carries for 54 yards and two touchdowns and 23 of 32 for 312 yards passing and three touchdowns.

It's been a terrible season for the Warriors. But there are some players to be excited about heading into the 2016 season: running back Paul Harris and wide receiver Devan Stubblefield. Junior back Harris finished the game with 28 carries for 179 yards and a touchdown, and freshman receiver Stubblefield had just three receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown.

The Spartans will look to finish bowl eligible when they host the Broncos next week and will try to end on a high note as they host the University of Louisiana Monroe Warhawks.


Nathan Harker is a sports writing intern currently enrolled at Brigham Young University majoring in broadcast journalism. Nathan can be reached at nathan.harker32@gmail.com or via Twitter @nharker3207.

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