Aztecs Down Air Force

Billy Blanton threw two touchdown passes, and an opportunistic defense led San Diego State to a 28-23 Western Athletic Conference victory Thursday night over Air Force.

The Aztecs’ defense recovered a pair of fumbles to score one touchdown and stop an Air Force scoring drive late in the third quarter.

The Falcons also committed a costly blunder, when a roughingthe-kicker penalty allowed San Diego State (8-3 overall, 6-2 in the WAC) to keep alive a drive it converted into a 5-yard touchdown pass from Blanton to Leandrew Childs. The scoring pass increased the Aztecs’ lead to 28-16 in the third quarter.

Air Force (6-5, 5-3), coming off a bye week, made things interesting when quarterback Beau Morgan scored on a 16-yard run with 10:07 left in the game.

Morgan, who rushed for 86 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns, returned to start the second half after leaving the game midway through the second quarter with a shoulder injury.

But the Falcons were unable to threaten again.