Air Force fullback Timothy Jackson, front right, tumbles in for a touchdown past Utah State defensive end Dalton Baker, front left, and safety Braxton Gunther in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. David Zalubowski, AP
Trent Wood
By Trent Wood
Trent Wood is a sports writer for the Deseret News.

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah State coach Gary Andersen made no secret as to the challenge presented by Air Force heading into Saturday night’s Mountain West Conference showdown with the Falcons.

He tried telling anyone who would listen just how significant a test the Aggies would face when they took the field at Falcon Stadium opposite their Mountain Division rivals.

“It’s a huge challenge this week,” Andersen said. “Air Force is not a good team, but a great team in all areas: offense, defense and special teams. They have a lot of really good players and a heck of a scheme, which we all know. We have our work cut out for us.”

He might have undersold it.

Utah State was thoroughly beaten by Air Force, 31-7.

The Falcons outgained the Aggies 472 yards to 128, and 448 to 14 on the ground.

Air Force finished with a 31-minute edge in time of possession and had 30 first downs while converting 10 of 13 third-down conversions. The Aggies meanwhile finished with just seven first downs and converted only 1 of 9 on third down.

The Falcons were dominant in the first half, particularly the second quarter, and took a 17-0 lead into the break.

Utah State had a quick answer coming out of halftime, as quarterback Jordan Love found receiver Siaosi Mariner for 27-yard touchdown.

That 10-point margin was as close as the Aggies would get.

From there on, Air Force outscored Utah State 14-0 to pull away with the win.

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Air Force running back Kadin Remsberg, top front, jumps over Utah State cornerback Andre Grayson, bottom front, but is stopped by safety Troy Lefeged Jr., back, after a short gain in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force quarterback Isaiah Sanders, center, is stripped of the ball for a fumble by Utah State cornerback DJ Williams, right, as cornerback Cameron Haney makes the stop after a short gain in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Utah State recovered the ball. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force fullback Timothy Jackson, front right, tumbles in for a touchdown past Utah State defensive end Dalton Baker, front, left, and safety Braxton Gunther in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force wide receiver Daniel Morris, left, congratulates fullback Timothy Jackson (34) after his run for a touchdown against Utah State in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah State wide receiver Siaosi Mariner celebrates after catching a pass for a touchdown against Air Force in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force quarterback Donald Hammond III, second from left, is tackled by Utah State safety Shaq Bond, left, and linebackers David Woodward, third from left, and Kevin Meitzenheimer in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Hammond was hurt on the play and left the field but returned in the first half. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force quarterback Donald Hammond III, left, is tended to after being injured while carrying the ball for a short gain against Utah State in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Hammond left the game but returned in the first quarter. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force quarterback Isaiah Sanders, right, is run out of play after a long gain by Utah State cornerback DJ Williams in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah State head coach Gary Andersen looks on in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Air Force Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah State quarterback Jordan Love looks to pass the ball in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Air Force Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah State quarterback Jordan Love warms up before the first half of an NCAA college football game against Air Force Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force quarterback Donald Hammond III warms up before the first half of an NCAA college football game against Utah State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force running back Kadin Remsberg, left, runs around the corner for a short gain as Utah State safety Troy Lefeged Jr. pursues in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force fullback Timothy Jackson, center, runs for a short gain as Utah State safety Troy Lefeged Jr., left, and defensive tackle Caden Andersen come in to make the stop in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force fullback Taven Birdow, center, is stopped short of the end zone by Utah State defensive end Dalton Baker, left, and linebacker Kevin Meitzenheimer in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force running back Kadin Remsberg, left, outruns Utah State safety Shaq Bond to score a touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force running back Kadin Remsberg celebrates after rushing for a touchdown against Utah State in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force fullback Taven Birdow, left, falls into the end zone to score a touchdown as Utah State cornerback Cameron Haney covers in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah State quarterback Jordan Love throws a pass against Air Force in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force fullback Taven Birdow, center, is stopped by Utah State safety Shaq Bond, left, and linebacker Kevin Meitzenheimer in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah State cornerback DJ Williams, left, comes in to stop Air Force quarterback Donald Hammond III after a short gain in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah State wide receiver Siaosi Mariner, left, is pulled down after catching a pass by Air Force defensive back Milton Bugg III in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah State safety Shaq Bond, right, stops Air Force quarterback Donald Hammond III in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah State quarterback Cooper Legas, left, and wide receiver Sean Carter struggle to keep warm as temperatures fall as an autumn storm settles into the region during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Air Force Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah State running back Riley Burt looks for room to run against Air Force in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah State quarterback Jordan Love heads off the field after failing to move the ball late in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Air Force Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Utah State wide receiver Siaosi Mariner, front, pulls in a pass for a touchdown in front of Air Force defensive back Milton Bugg III in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP
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Air Force quarterback Donald Hammond III, left, and wide receiver Benjamin Waters lead teammates in a celebration after singing the school song after the second half of an NCAA college football game against Utah State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) | David Zalubowski, AP

Love finished with 114 yards passing and a score, his third consecutive game throwing for under 200 yards. 

Cornerback DJ Williams led the USU defense with 14 tackles.

Air Force was paced by Timothy Jackson, who rushed for a game-high 148 yards and a touchdown. Kadin Remsberg added 92 yards on the ground and two scores.

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The loss marked Utah State’s first setback in the conference this season after starting the year 3-0 with wins over San Diego State, Colorado State and Nevada. 

The defeat was, for all intents and purposes, a punch in the mouth.

“You have to have on your big-boy pants and hop in the trenches and battle those guys. That’s why it’s such a great opportunity, because it is unique. That offense is built to grind you down and beat you up,” Andersen said. “You’ll know if you’re a tough guy at the end of that game if you come out of there and you held your own against that offense, especially inside the tackle box. If you’re weak-minded or soft, you’ll get dominated in that game and you’ll get exposed.”

Saturday night at least, Utah State was exposed.

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