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Air Force vs. Washington State

Friday, December 27, 2019, Cheez-It Bowl

No. 24 Air Force beat Washington State 31–⁠21. It was their only meeting on record.

Neutral site24Air Force11–⁠2 in 2019
31
Neutral siteWashington State6–⁠7 in 2019
21

Final at Chase Field, PhoenixIndoorsTV: ESPN, ESPNRMAttendance 34,105Payout $1,625,560 (Wikipedia)

MVPs Kadin Remsberg (RB, Air Force); Grant Donaldson (LB, Air Force)Wikipedia

Officials
Referee Jeff Servinski; umpire Tim Owens; head linesman Kris Van Meter; line judge Jeff Szink; side judge Kyle DeBuse; field judge Grady Smith; back judge Mike Elliott; center judge Mike StumbergGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Air Force0177731
Washington State0140721

Standouts

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licenses; credits on each player’s page.

Photos from the game

From the game’s category on Wikimedia Commons, free licenses only, each credited.

Player stats

Air Force

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Donald Hammond III4/123001
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Kadin Remsberg26178122
Taven Birdow20108113
Donald Hammond III156229
Christian Mallard51706
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Benjamin Waters212010
Geraud Sanders110010
Ben Peterson1808
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Garrett Kauppila6000
Kyle Johnson6000
Zane Lewis5000
Grant Donaldson4110
Grant Theil4000
Mosese Fifita3110

Washington State

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Anthony Gordon28/4234730
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Max Borghi627017
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Brandon Arconado11167130
Davontavean Martin158058
Easop Winston539013
Max Borghi531110
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Jahad Woods20000
Bryce Beekman8100
Misiona Aiolupotea-Pei7000
Justus Rogers6000
Skyler Thomas6001

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

Air ForceWashington State
401Total yards362
30Passing yards347
371Rushing yards15
2.5Yards per pass8.3
5.4Yards per rush1.9
28First downs15
4–⁠11Third downs3–⁠9
3–⁠3Fourth downs2–⁠5
1Turnovers1
2–⁠20Penalties3–⁠45
43:22Possession16:37
2Sacks (by defense)0

Efficiency

Air ForceWashington State
61%Success rate40%
0.19EPA per play0.24
0.66Explosiveness1.59
0.29Rushing EPA−1.13
−0.32Passing EPA0.46
27%Passing-down success29%
0.03First-down EPA0.09
0.37Second-down EPA0.27
−0.13Third-down EPA0.96
12%Havoc by its defense7%

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings and the line, going in

Our ratings (scores only)

Air Force 64% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

The line

Air Force −2.5, over/under 71.5.

The last line on file before kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.

Before kickoff, the win chances were Air Force 57%, Washington State 43%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.

The money

The Cheez-It Bowl was put on by the Valley of the Sun Bowl Foundation, a nonprofit. Its IRS Form 990 for the year to March 2020, which takes in this game, reports $4.3 million in revenue, $3.1 million of it from game revenue, and $3.9 million in expenses. Its best-paid, executive director Michael Nealy, was paid $871,000.

From the organization’s IRS Form 990, via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and the IRS’s e-file data. Payments are the grants it lists on Schedule I of that return. See every filing at ProPublica (EIN 86-0902767).

Every drive

Washington State end zoneAir Force end zoneQ1 Washington StateTurnover on downs, 8 playsQ1 Air ForceTouchdown, 20 playsQ2 Washington StateTouchdown, 11 playsQ2 Air ForceField goal, 15 playsQ2 Washington StateFumble, 1 playQ2 Air ForceTouchdown, 4 playsQ2 Washington StateTouchdown, 5 playsQ2 Air ForceInterception, 4 playsQ3 Air ForceTouchdown, 13 playsQ3 Washington StatePunt, 3 playsQ3 Air ForcePunt, 8 playsQ3 Washington StateTurnover on downs, 8 playsQ4 Air ForcePunt, 6 playsQ4 Washington StateTouchdown, 4 playsQ4 Air ForceTouchdown, 10 playsQ4 Washington StateFumble, 10 playsQ4 Air ForceResult not recorded, 2 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Washington State drives left to right, Air Force right to left.
  1. Q1 Washington StateTurnover on downs, 8 plays, 70 yards
  2. Q1 Air ForceTouchdown, 20 plays, 99 yards
  3. Q2 Washington StateTouchdown, 11 plays, 74 yards
  4. Q2 Air ForceField goal, 15 plays, 65 yards
  5. Q2 Washington StateFumble, 1 play, 0 yards
  6. Q2 Air ForceTouchdown, 4 plays, 23 yards
  7. Q2 Washington StateTouchdown, 5 plays, 75 yards
  8. Q2 Air ForceInterception, 4 plays, 23 yards
  9. Q3 Air ForceTouchdown, 13 plays, 75 yards
  10. Q3 Washington StatePunt, 3 plays, 1 yard
  11. Q3 Air ForcePunt, 8 plays, 36 yards
  12. Q3 Washington StateTurnover on downs, 8 plays, 75 yards
  13. Q4 Air ForcePunt, 6 plays, 18 yards
  14. Q4 Washington StateTouchdown, 4 plays, 31 yards
  15. Q4 Air ForceTouchdown, 10 plays, 60 yards
  16. Q4 Washington StateFumble, 10 plays, 17 yards
  17. Q4 Air ForceResult not recorded, 2 plays, 2 yards

Play by play

1st quarter2 drives, then Tied at 0
Washington State Turnover on downs, 8 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Jake Koehnke kickoff for 54 yds , Travell Harris return for 17 yds to the WshSt 28
14:451st & 10 at own 28Anthony Gordon pass complete to Easop Winston Jr. for 5 yds to the WshSt 33
14:102nd & 5 at own 33Anthony Gordon pass complete to Brandon Arconado for 21 yds to the AFA 46 for a 1ST down
13:581st & 10 at opp 46Max Borghi run for 17 yds to the AFA 29 for a 1ST down
13:281st & 10 at opp 29Anthony Gordon pass complete to Renard Bell for 23 yds to the AFA 6 for a 1ST down
12:571st & goal at opp 6Anthony Gordon pass incomplete
12:542nd & goal at opp 6Anthony Gordon pass incomplete to Davontavean Martin
12:433rd & goal at opp 6Max Borghi run for 4 yds to the AFA 2
12:154th & goal at opp 2Max Borghi run for 1 yd to the AFA 1
Air Force Touchdown, 20 plays
12:001st & 10 at own 2Taven Birdow run for 8 yds to the AFA 10
11:262nd & 2 at own 10Donald Hammond III run for 6 yds to the AFA 16 for a 1ST down
10:291st & 10 at own 16Taven Birdow run for 4 yds to the AFA 20
10:062nd & 6 at own 20Kadin Remsberg run for 4 yds to the AFA 24
9:243rd & 2 at own 24Donald Hammond III run for 3 yds to the AFA 27 for a 1ST down
8:481st & 10 at own 27Christian Mallard run for 6 yds to the AFA 33
8:182nd & 4 at own 33Kadin Remsberg run for 13 yds to the AFA 46 for a 1ST down
7:371st & 10 at own 46Taven Birdow run for 5 yds to the WshSt 49
6:552nd & 5 at opp 49Taven Birdow run for 4 yds to the WshSt 45
6:163rd & 1 at opp 45Taven Birdow run for 6 yds to the WshSt 39 for a 1ST down
5:391st & 10 at opp 39Donald Hammond III run for 5 yds to the WshSt 34
5:022nd & 5 at opp 34Timeout AIR FORCE, clock 05:02
4:552nd & 5 at opp 34Kadin Remsberg run for 10 yds to the WshSt 24 for a 1ST down
4:251st & 10 at opp 24AIR FORCE Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the WshSt 29
4:081st & 15 at opp 29Donald Hammond III run for 2 yds to the WshSt 27
3:452nd & 13 at opp 27Donald Hammond III pass complete to Benjamin Waters for 2 yds to the WshSt 25
2:463rd & 11 at opp 25Donald Hammond III pass complete to Benjamin Waters for 10 yds to the WshSt 15
2:094th & 1 at opp 15Donald Hammond III run for 2 yds to the WshSt 13 for a 1ST down
1:331st & 10 at opp 13Kadin Remsberg run for 5 yds to the WshSt 8
1:002nd & 5 at opp 8Kadin Remsberg run for 5 yds to the WshSt 3 for a 1ST down
0:051st & goal at opp 3Christian Mallard run for 2 yds to the WshSt 1
Q2 14:522nd & goal at opp 1Donald Hammond III run for 1 yd for a TD (Jake Koehnke KICK)Air Force 7, Washington State 0
2nd quarter6 drives, then Air Force 17, Washington State 14
Washington State Touchdown, 11 plays
14:522nd & 8 at own 35Jake Koehnke kickoff for 59 yds , Travell Harris return for 20 yds to the WshSt 26
14:271st & 10 at own 26Anthony Gordon pass complete to Travell Harris for 3 yds to the WshSt 29
14:172nd & 7 at own 29Anthony Gordon pass incomplete
14:063rd & 7 at own 29Anthony Gordon pass complete to Brandon Arconado for 13 yds to the WshSt 42 for a 1ST down
13:441st & 10 at own 42Anthony Gordon pass incomplete
13:352nd & 10 at own 42Max Borghi run for 4 yds to the WshSt 46
12:593rd & 6 at own 46Anthony Gordon pass complete to Brandon Arconado for 28 yds to the AFA 26 for a 1ST down
12:261st & 10 at opp 26Anthony Gordon pass complete to Dezmon Patmon for 16 yds to the AFA 10 for a 1ST down
11:551st & goal at opp 10Anthony Gordon pass complete to Dezmon Patmon for 4 yds to the AFA 6
11:232nd & goal at opp 6Anthony Gordon pass complete to Brandon Arconado for 4 yds to the AFA 2
10:483rd & goal at opp 2Anthony Gordon pass incomplete to Brandon Arconado
10:434th & goal at opp 2Anthony Gordon pass complete to Dezmon Patmon for 2 yds for a TD (Blake Mazza KICK)Tied at 7
Air Force Field goal, 15 plays
10:434th & 2 at own 35Jack Crane kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
10:331st & 10 at own 25Donald Hammond III run for 3 yds to the AFA 28
9:582nd & 7 at own 28Timeout AIR FORCE, clock 09:58
9:512nd & 7 at own 28Kadin Remsberg run for 9 yds to the AFA 37 for a 1ST down
9:151st & 10 at own 37Kadin Remsberg run for 7 yds to the AFA 44 Kadin Remsberg fumbled, recovered by AFA
9:152nd & 3 at own 44Timeout WASHINGTON ST, clock 09:15
8:582nd & 3 at own 44Taven Birdow run for 10 yds to the WshSt 46 for a 1ST down
8:261st & 10 at opp 46Taven Birdow run for 3 yds to the WshSt 43
7:552nd & 7 at opp 43Kadin Remsberg run for 9 yds to the WshSt 34 for a 1ST down
7:111st & 10 at opp 34Kadin Remsberg run for 4 yds to the WshSt 30
6:302nd & 6 at opp 30Christian Mallard run for 5 yds to the WshSt 25
5:593rd & 1 at opp 25Donald Hammond III run for 2 yds to the WshSt 23 for a 1ST down
5:271st & 10 at opp 23Nolan Eriksen run for 8 yds to the WshSt 15
5:132nd & 2 at opp 15Timeout WASHINGTON ST, clock 05:13
5:052nd & 2 at opp 15Taven Birdow run for 5 yds to the WshSt 10 for a 1ST down
4:281st & goal at opp 10Kadin Remsberg run for no gain to the WshSt 10
3:512nd & goal at opp 10Donald Hammond III pass incomplete to Benjamin Waters
3:443rd & goal at opp 10Donald Hammond III pass incomplete to Benjamin Waters
3:394th & goal at opp 10Jake Koehnke 28 yd FG GOODAir Force 10, Washington State 7
Washington State Fumble, 1 play
3:394th & 10 at own 35Jake Koehnke kickoff for 58 yds , Travell Harris return for 20 yds to the WshSt 27
3:271st & 10 at own 27Anthony Gordon sacked by Grant Donaldson for a loss of 4 yards to the WshSt 23 Anthony Gordon fumbled, recovered by AFA Christopher Herrera , return for 0 yards
Air Force Touchdown, 4 plays
3:151st & 10 at opp 23Donald Hammond III run for 3 yds to the WshSt 20
2:342nd & 7 at opp 20Kadin Remsberg run for 8 yds to the WshSt 12 for a 1ST down
1:571st & 10 at opp 12Taven Birdow run for 9 yds to the WshSt 3
1:192nd & 1 at opp 3Taven Birdow run for 3 yds for a TD (Jake Koehnke KICK)Air Force 17, Washington State 7
Washington State Touchdown, 5 plays
1:192nd at the 50Jake Koehnke kickoff for 50 yds for a touchback
1:111st & 10 at own 25Anthony Gordon pass complete to Brandon Arconado for 12 yds to the WshSt 37 for a 1ST down
0:571st & 10 at own 37Anthony Gordon pass incomplete to Easop Winston Jr.
0:482nd & 10 at own 37Anthony Gordon pass incomplete to Max Borghi
0:343rd & 10 at own 37Anthony Gordon pass complete to Davontavean Martin for 58 yds to the AFA 5 for a 1ST down
0:241st & goal at opp 5Anthony Gordon pass complete to Max Borghi for 5 yds for a TD (Blake Mazza KICK)Air Force 17, Washington State 14
Air Force Interception, 4 plays
0:241st & 10 at own 35Jack Crane kickoff for 35 yds , Price Morgan return for no gain to the AFA 30
0:151st & 10 at own 30Kadin Remsberg run for 17 yds to the AFA 47 for a 1ST down
0:091st & 10 at own 47Donald Hammond III pass incomplete to Dane Kinamon
0:042nd & 10 at own 47Taven Birdow run for 6 yds to the WshSt 47
0:033rd & 4 at opp 47Timeout AIR FORCE, clock 00:03
0:003rd & 4 at opp 47Donald Hammond III pass intercepted Skyler Thomas return for 31 yds to the WshSt 39
3rd quarter4 drives, then Air Force 24, Washington State 14
Air Force Touchdown, 13 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Jack Crane kickoff for 63 yds for a touchback
14:451st & 10 at own 25Kadin Remsberg run for a loss of 1 yard to the AFA 24
14:102nd & 11 at own 24Donald Hammond III pass complete to Geraud Sanders for 10 yds to the AFA 34
13:383rd & 1 at own 34Taven Birdow run for no gain to the AFA 34
13:204th & 1 at own 34Donald Hammond III run for 2 yds to the AFA 36 for a 1ST down
12:441st & 10 at own 36Donald Hammond III pass complete to Ben Peterson for 8 yds to the AFA 44
12:122nd & 2 at own 44Christian Mallard run for 3 yds to the AFA 47 for a 1ST down
11:221st & 10 at own 47Kadin Remsberg run for 13 yds to the WshSt 40 for a 1ST down
11:041st & 10 at opp 40Donald Hammond III pass incomplete to Geraud Sanders
10:562nd & 10 at opp 40Kadin Remsberg run for 18 yds to the WshSt 22 for a 1ST down
10:181st & 10 at opp 22Donald Hammond III run for 6 yds to the WshSt 16
9:392nd & 4 at opp 16Kadin Remsberg run for 6 yds to the WshSt 10 for a 1ST down
8:581st & goal at opp 10Kadin Remsberg run for 3 yds to the WshSt 7
8:192nd & goal at opp 7Donald Hammond III run for 7 yds for a TD (Jake Koehnke KICK)Air Force 24, Washington State 14
Washington State Punt, 3 plays
8:192nd & 7 at own 35Jake Koehnke kickoff for 56 yds , Travell Harris return for 19 yds to the WshSt 28
8:071st & 10 at own 28Anthony Gordon pass incomplete to Dezmon Patmon
7:572nd & 10 at own 28Max Borghi run for 1 yd to the WshSt 29
7:223rd & 9 at own 29Anthony Gordon pass incomplete to Dezmon Patmon
7:154th & 9 at own 29Oscar Draguicevich III punt for 46 yds, fair catch by Ben Peterson at the AFA 25
Air Force Punt, 8 plays
7:071st & 10 at own 25Kadin Remsberg run for 5 yds to the AFA 30
6:292nd & 5 at own 30Timeout AIR FORCE, clock 06:29
6:212nd & 5 at own 30Donald Hammond III run for 6 yds to the AFA 36 for a 1ST down
5:551st & 10 at own 36Taven Birdow run for no gain to the AFA 36
5:022nd & 10 at own 36Hammond III, Donald pass incomplete to Sanders, Geraud, PENALTY WASHST personal foul 15 yards to the WASHST49, NO PLAY, 1ST DOWN AIRFORCE.
4:541st & 10 at opp 49Taven Birdow run for 13 yds to the WshSt 36 for a 1ST down
4:141st & 10 at opp 36Taven Birdow run for no gain to the WshSt 36
4:142nd & 10 at opp 31Kadin Remsberg run for 5 yds to the WshSt 31 AIR FORCE Penalty, Illegal Block (-15 Yards) to the WshSt 46
3:172nd & 20 at opp 46Kadin Remsberg run for 7 yds to the WshSt 39
2:363rd & 13 at opp 39Donald Hammond III pass incomplete to Benjamin Waters
2:274th & 13 at opp 39Charlie Scott punt for 39 yds for a touchback
Washington State Turnover on downs, 8 plays
2:181st & 10 at own 20Anthony Gordon pass complete to Easop Winston Jr. for 13 yds to the WshSt 33 for a 1ST down
1:441st & 10 at own 33Anthony Gordon pass complete to Brandon Arconado for 30 yds to the AFA 37 for a 1ST down
1:321st & 10 at opp 37Anthony Gordon pass complete to Brandon Arconado for 6 yds to the AFA 31
0:462nd & 4 at opp 31Anthony Gordon pass complete to Brandon Arconado for 18 yds to the AFA 13 for a 1ST down
0:111st & 10 at opp 13Anthony Gordon pass incomplete to Travell Harris
0:002nd & 10 at opp 13Anthony Gordon pass complete to Max Borghi for 4 yds to the AFA 9
Q4 14:553rd & 6 at opp 9Anthony Gordon pass complete to Renard Bell for 4 yds to the AFA 5
Q4 14:104th & 2 at opp 5Max Borghi run for no gain to the AFA 5
4th quarter5 drives, then Air Force 31, Washington State 21
Air Force Punt, 6 plays
13:581st & 10 at own 5Donald Hammond III run for 9 yds to the AFA 14
13:202nd & 1 at own 14Taven Birdow run for 3 yds to the AFA 17 for a 1ST down
12:441st & 10 at own 17Taven Birdow run for 11 yds to the AFA 28 for a 1ST down
12:001st & 10 at own 28Kadin Remsberg run for a loss of 5 yards to the AFA 23 Kadin Remsberg fumbled, recovered by AFA Kadin Remsberg
11:352nd & 15 at own 23Donald Hammond III pass incomplete to Benjamin Waters
11:283rd & 15 at own 23Donald Hammond III pass incomplete to Benjamin Waters
11:154th & 15 at own 23Charlie Scott punt for 37 yds , Easop Winston Jr. returns for 29 yds to the AFA 31
Washington State Touchdown, 4 plays
10:401st & 10 at opp 31Anthony Gordon pass complete to Max Borghi for 3 yds to the AFA 28
10:332nd & 7 at opp 28Anthony Gordon pass complete to Brandon Arconado for 15 yds to the AFA 13 for a 1ST down
10:051st & 10 at opp 13Anthony Gordon pass incomplete to Brandon Arconado
9:592nd & 10 at opp 13Anthony Gordon pass complete to Brandon Arconado for 13 yds for a TD (Blake Mazza KICK)Air Force 24, Washington State 21
Air Force Touchdown, 10 plays
9:592nd & 10 at own 35Jack Crane kickoff for 44 yds , Ben Peterson return for 19 yds to the AFA 40
9:411st & 10 at own 40Kadin Remsberg run for 22 yds to the WshSt 38 for a 1ST down
8:551st & 10 at opp 38Taven Birdow run for 5 yds to the WshSt 33
8:182nd & 5 at opp 33Kadin Remsberg run for 13 yds to the WshSt 20 for a 1ST down
7:371st & 10 at opp 20Kadin Remsberg run for a loss of 2 yards to the WshSt 22
6:512nd & 12 at opp 22Taven Birdow run for 10 yds to the WshSt 12
6:113rd & 2 at opp 12Taven Birdow run for 3 yds to the WshSt 9 for a 1ST down
5:281st & goal at opp 9Donald Hammond III run for 5 yds to the WshSt 4
4:442nd & goal at opp 4Christian Mallard run for 1 yd to the WshSt 3
3:583rd & goal at opp 3Kadin Remsberg run for no gain to the WshSt 3
3:584th & 0 at opp 3Timeout WASHINGTON ST, clock 03:58
3:504th & goal at opp 3Kadin Remsberg run for 3 yds for a TD (Jake Koehnke KICK)Air Force 31, Washington State 21
Washington State Fumble, 10 plays
3:504th & 4 at own 35Jake Koehnke kickoff for 57 yds , Rodrick Fisher return for 23 yds to the WshSt 31
3:331st & 10 at own 31Anthony Gordon pass complete to Max Borghi for 9 yds to the WshSt 40
3:012nd & 1 at own 40Anthony Gordon pass complete to Easop Winston Jr. for 9 yds to the WshSt 49 for a 1ST down
2:451st & 10 at own 49Anthony Gordon pass incomplete to Max Borghi
2:382nd & 10 at own 49Anthony Gordon pass incomplete to Davontavean Martin
2:223rd & 10 at own 49Anthony Gordon pass complete to Easop Winston Jr. for 5 yds to the AFA 46
1:584th & 5 at opp 46Anthony Gordon pass complete to Brandon Arconado for 7 yds to the AFA 39 for a 1ST down
1:371st & 10 at opp 39Anthony Gordon pass incomplete
1:312nd & 10 at opp 39WASHINGTON ST Penalty, Offensive Pass Interference (-15 Yards) to the WshSt 46
1:312nd & 25 at own 46Timeout AIR FORCE, clock 01:31
1:112nd & 25 at own 46Anthony Gordon pass complete to Max Borghi for 10 yds to the AFA 44
0:533rd & 15 at opp 44Anthony Gordon sacked by Mosese Fifita for a loss of 8 yards to the WshSt 48
0:524th & 23 at own 48Timeout WASHINGTON ST, clock 00:52
0:514th & 23 at own 48Anthony Gordon pass complete to Easop Winston Jr. for 7 yds Easop Winston Jr. fumbled, recovered by WshSt
Air Force Result not recorded, 2 plays
0:331st & 10 at own 45TEAM run for a loss of 1 yard to the AFA 44
0:012nd & 11 at own 44TEAM run for a loss of 1 yard to the AFA 43

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

The series

Every Air Force–Washington State game

Air Force leads 1–⁠0 in their only meeting.

Around this game

Air Force

Washington State

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