Falcons march past Black Knights in annual football duel
by 1st Lt. Melissa Waheibi
U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
11/8/2004 - U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY, N.Y. (AFPN) -- The Air Force Academy Falcons marched off the football field here with a 31-22 victory against the Army Black Knights on Nov. 6.
The first half of the game was Wimbledon-esque as a sold-out crowd watched the rally of points on both sides of the stadium. The Black Knights brought their darkness to the Falcons in the first 52 seconds as running back Carlton Jones ran 69 yards for the game’s first touchdown. An Army field goal later in the quarter brought the score to 9-0.
Within the first minute of the second quarter, Air Force quarterback Adam Fitch ran 16 yards for a touchdown. An Air Force interception and 44-yard return eventually led to a touchdown by Darnell Stephens, making the score 14-9. The exchange of points continued as Jones ran for a touchdown, then Air Force fullback Jacobe Kendrick ran the ball into the end zone, then Army wide receiver Jacob Murphy caught a touchdown pass. The half ended with Army leading 22-21.
The rally ended with the start of the second half. The Air Force defense shut down Army and did not allow another point. The Falcons continued scoring with a second touchdown by Stephens in the third quarter and a field goal in the fourth quarter to bring the final score 31-22.
"I'm very proud of our football team, particularly our defense,” said Fisher DeBerry, Falcon head coach. “Our defense has been under a little bit of scrutiny and a little bit of criticism, but they came out in the second half and shut the door on Army. They held [Army] off the scoreboard in the second half, and I think they sent a great statement about their pride."
DeBerry started Fitch as quarterback. He is in the final stages of recovery from an injury on his Achilles tendon.
"It felt good to get back out there for the first time and get a start,” Fitch said. “That was definitely a confidence builder today. Our offense played well, and we have a lot of confidence going into next week."
The Air Force is out of contention for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy after its loss to Navy on Sept. 30. Even with a Navy loss to West Point, Navy would keep the trophy.
Air Force’s next game is Nov. 13 at home against San Diego State University.
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