Air Force at Colorado State

Saturday, October 28, 2023. Air Force kept the Ram–Falcon Trophy

No. 19 Air Force beat Colorado State 30–⁠13. It was their 61st meeting; after it, Air Force led the series 39–⁠21–⁠1.

Away19Air Force9–⁠4 in 2023
30
HomeColorado State5–⁠7 in 2023
13

Final at Canvas Stadium, Fort CollinsTV: CBSSNAttendance 22,570

At kickoff
28°F, light snow, wind 6 mph from the eastWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Fort Collins Loveland Airport (KFNL), 15 km from the stadium
Official
Michael CuttoneGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Air Force7610730
Colorado State0130013

Standouts

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

Player stats

Air Force

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Zachary Larrier4/73210
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Emmanuel Michel20130153
John Lee Eldridge III1157112
Zachary Larrier143619
Owen Burk42007
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Brandon Engel114014
Dane Kinamon1919
Caleb Rillos1606
John Lee Eldridge III1303
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Jalen Mergerson13000
Trey Taylor10000
Johnathan Youngblood9000
Jayden Goodwin8000
P.J. Ramsey5110
Bo Richter1110

Colorado State

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi28/4529710
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Vann Schield1453010
Louis Brown1202
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Justus Ross-Simmons8128161
Tory Horton552017
Dallin Holker543017
Louis Brown537014
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Nuer Gatkuoth151.500
Chase Wilson120.500
Henry Blackburn9000
Jack Howell60.500
James Mitchell50.50.50
Grady Kelly50.50.50

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

Team stats

Air ForceColorado State
293Total yards339
32Passing yards297
261Rushing yards42
4.6Yards per pass6.6
4.6Yards per rush2.2
18First downs17
8–⁠15Third downs5–⁠13
1–⁠1Fourth downs0–⁠3
0Turnovers1
2–⁠15Penalties5–⁠54
35:58Possession24:02
2Sacks (by defense)1

Efficiency

Air ForceColorado State
37%Success rate44%
0.23EPA per play−0.06
1.28Explosiveness0.93
0.24Rushing EPA−0.28
0.15Passing EPA0.02
24%Passing-down success21%
−0.14First-down EPA0.15
0.13Second-down EPA0.09
0.90Third-down EPA0.18
13%Havoc by its defense11%

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 80% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

The line

Air Force −13, over/under 48.

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 84%, Colorado State 16%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.

Every drive

Colorado State end zoneAir Force end zoneQ1 Colorado StateTurnover on downs, 7 playsQ1 Air ForceTouchdown, 12 playsQ1 Colorado StatePunt, 8 playsQ1 Air ForcePunt, 3 playsQ2 Colorado StateTouchdown, 1 playQ2 Air ForcePunt, 6 playsQ2 Colorado StateField goal, 12 playsQ2 Air ForcePunt, 3 playsQ2 Colorado StateFumble, 2 playsQ2 Air ForceTouchdown, 3 playsQ2 Colorado StateField goal, 8 playsQ2 Air ForceEnd of half, 3 playsQ3 Air ForceTouchdown, 10 playsQ3 Colorado StatePunt, 6 playsQ3 Air ForceField goal, 8 playsQ3 Colorado StatePunt, 3 playsQ3 Air ForcePunt, 5 playsQ4 Colorado StateTurnover on downs, 7 playsQ4 Air ForceTouchdown, 3 playsQ4 Colorado StateTurnover on downs, 12 playsQ4 Air ForceEnd of game, 8 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Colorado State drives left to right, Air Force right to left.
  1. Q1 Colorado StateTurnover on downs, 7 plays, 44 yards
  2. Q1 Air ForceTouchdown, 12 plays, 54 yards
  3. Q1 Colorado StatePunt, 8 plays, 29 yards
  4. Q1 Air ForcePunt, 3 plays, 2 yards
  5. Q2 Colorado StateTouchdown, 1 play, 61 yards
  6. Q2 Air ForcePunt, 6 plays, 17 yards
  7. Q2 Colorado StateField goal, 12 plays, 67 yards
  8. Q2 Air ForcePunt, 3 plays, 2 yards
  9. Q2 Colorado StateFumble, 2 plays, −13 yards
  10. Q2 Air ForceTouchdown, 3 plays, 11 yards
  11. Q2 Colorado StateField goal, 8 plays, 43 yards
  12. Q2 Air ForceEnd of half, 3 plays, 14 yards
  13. Q3 Air ForceTouchdown, 10 plays, 75 yards
  14. Q3 Colorado StatePunt, 6 plays, 22 yards
  15. Q3 Air ForceField goal, 8 plays, 69 yards
  16. Q3 Colorado StatePunt, 3 plays, 0 yards
  17. Q3 Air ForcePunt, 5 plays, 22 yards
  18. Q4 Colorado StateTurnover on downs, 7 plays, 26 yards
  19. Q4 Air ForceTouchdown, 3 plays, 36 yards
  20. Q4 Colorado StateTurnover on downs, 12 plays, 60 yards
  21. Q4 Air ForceEnd of game, 8 plays, 20 yards

Play by play

1st quarter4 drives, then Air Force 7, Colorado State 0
Colorado State Turnover on downs, 7 plays
14:55Reagan Tubbs kickoff for 60 yds , return for no gain to the CSU 10
14:551st & 5 at own 15Vann Schield run for 3 yds to the CSU 18
14:552nd & 2 at own 18Vann Schield run for 10 yds to the CSU 28 for a 1ST down
14:551st & 10 at own 28Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Tory Horton for 17 yds to the CSU 45 for a 1ST down
14:551st & 10 at own 45Vann Schield run for 3 yds to the CSU 48
14:552nd & 7 at own 48Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Louis Brown IV for 4 yds to the AFA 48
14:553rd & 3 at opp 48Vann Schield run for 2 yds to the AFA 46
11:474th & 1 at opp 46Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi run for no gain to the AFA 46
Air Force Touchdown, 12 plays
11:471st & 10 at own 46Dane Kinamon run for 3 yds to the AFA 49
11:472nd & 7 at own 49John Lee Eldridge III run for 10 yds to the CSU 41 for a 1ST down
11:471st & 10 at opp 41Emmanuel Michel run for 6 yds to the CSU 35
11:472nd & 4 at opp 35Emmanuel Michel run for 1 yd to the CSU 34
11:473rd & 3 at opp 34Emmanuel Michel run for 2 yds to the CSU 32
11:474th & 1 at opp 32Zac Larrier run for 2 yds to the CSU 30 for a 1ST down
11:471st & 10 at opp 30Zac Larrier run for 2 yds to the CSU 28
11:472nd & 8 at opp 28John Lee Eldridge III run for 7 yds to the CSU 21
11:473rd & 1 at opp 21Zac Larrier run for 6 yds to the CSU 15 for a 1ST down
11:471st & 10 at opp 15John Lee Eldridge III run for 2 yds to the CSU 13
11:472nd & 8 at opp 13Owen Burk run for 4 yds to the CSU 9
5:033rd & 4 at opp 9Zac Larrier pass complete to Dane Kinamon for 9 yds for a TD (Matthew Dapore KICK)Air Force 7, Colorado State 0
Colorado State Punt, 8 plays
4:58Reagan Tubbs kickoff for 65 yds
4:581st & 10 at own 8Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Louis Brown IV for 8 yds to the CSU 16
4:582nd & 2 at own 16Vann Schield run for 1 yd to the CSU 17
4:583rd & 1 at own 17Louis Brown IV run for 2 yds to the CSU 19 for a 1ST down
4:581st & 10 at own 19Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Tory Horton for 9 yds to the CSU 28
4:582nd & 1 at own 28Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Dylan Goffney for 4 yds to the CSU 32 for a 1ST down
4:581st & 10 at own 32Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Dawson Menegatti for 1 yd to the CSU 33
4:582nd & 9 at own 33Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Louis Brown IV for 4 yds to the CSU 37
4:583rd & 5 at own 37Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass incomplete
0:564th & 5 at own 37Paddy Turner punt for 47 yds, downed at the AFA 16
Air Force Punt, 3 plays
0:561st & 10 at own 16John Lee Eldridge III run for a loss of 4 yards to the AFA 12
0:002nd & 14 at own 12Zac Larrier run for 6 yds to the AFA 18
Q2 15:003rd & 8 at own 18Zac Larrier pass incomplete
Q2 14:464th & 8 at own 18Carson Bay punt for 43 yds
2nd quarter8 drives, then Tied at 13
Colorado State Touchdown, 1 play
14:381st & 10 at own 39Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Justus Ross-Simmons for 61 yds for a TD (Jordan Noyes KICK)Tied at 7
Air Force Punt, 6 plays
14:38Bryan Hansen kickoff for 65 yds
14:381st & 10 at own 25Emmanuel Michel run for 1 yd to the AFA 26
14:382nd & 9 at own 26John Lee Eldridge III run for 1 yd to the AFA 27
14:383rd & 8 at own 27Zac Larrier run for 9 yds to the AFA 36 for a 1ST down
14:381st & 10 at own 36Emmanuel Michel run for no gain to the AFA 36
14:382nd & 10 at own 36Zac Larrier run for no gain to the AFA 36
11:064th & 4 at own 42Timeout Colorado State, clock 11:06
11:063rd & 10 at own 36Zac Larrier pass complete to Caleb Rillos for 6 yds to the AFA 42
10:594th & 4 at own 42Carson Bay punt for 48 yds, fair catch by Tory Horton at the CSU 10
Colorado State Field goal, 12 plays
10:591st & 10 at own 10Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Justus Ross-Simmons for 14 yds to the CSU 24 for a 1ST down
10:591st & 10 at own 24Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Tory Horton for 8 yds to the CSU 32
10:592nd & 2 at own 32Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass incomplete
10:593rd & 2 at own 32Vann Schield run for 8 yds to the CSU 40 for a 1ST down
10:591st & 10 at own 40Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Vann Schield for 9 yds to the CSU 49
10:592nd & 1 at own 49Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Dylan Goffney for 14 yds to the AFA 37 for a 1ST down
10:591st & 10 at opp 37Vann Schield run for 2 yds to the AFA 35
10:592nd & 8 at opp 35Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Vann Schield for 9 yds to the AFA 26 for a 1ST down
10:591st & 10 at opp 26Vann Schield run for 3 yds to the AFA 23
7:243rd & 7 at opp 23Timeout Colorado State, clock 07:24
7:242nd & 7 at opp 23Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass incomplete
7:243rd & 7 at opp 23Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass incomplete
7:154th & 7 at opp 23Jordan Noyes 40 yd FG GOODColorado State 10, Air Force 7
Air Force Punt, 3 plays
7:15Bryan Hansen kickoff for 63 yds
7:151st & 10 at own 25Emmanuel Michel run for 5 yds to the AFA 30
7:152nd & 5 at own 30Zac Larrier run for a loss of 3 yards to the AFA 27
7:153rd & 8 at own 27Zac Larrier pass incomplete
5:434th & 8 at own 27Carson Bay punt for 44 yds
Colorado State Fumble, 2 plays
5:431st & 10 at own 32Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass incomplete
5:312nd & 10 at own 32Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi sacked for a loss of 13 yards to the CSU 11
Air Force Touchdown, 3 plays
5:311st & 10 at opp 11Emmanuel Michel run for 2 yds to the CSU 9
5:312nd & 8 at opp 9John Lee Eldridge III run for a loss of 1 yard to the CSU 10
4:003rd & 9 at opp 10John Lee Eldridge III run for 10 yds for a TD (Matthew Dapore PAT MISSED)Air Force 13, Colorado State 10
Colorado State Field goal, 8 plays
4:00Reagan Tubbs kickoff for 49 yds
4:001st & 10 at own 25Vann Schield run for 5 yds to the CSU 30
4:002nd & 5 at own 30Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Justus Ross-Simmons for 14 yds to the CSU 44 for a 1ST down
4:001st & 10 at own 44Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Dallin Holker for 5 yds to the CSU 49
4:002nd & 5 at own 49Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Dallin Holker for 17 yds to the AFA 34 for a 1ST down
4:001st & 10 at opp 34Vann Schield run for 1 yd to the AFA 33
4:002nd & 9 at opp 33Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Dallin Holker for 1 yd to the AFA 32
0:484th & 8 at opp 32Timeout Colorado State, clock 00:48
0:483rd & 8 at opp 32Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass incomplete
0:454th & 8 at opp 32Jordan Noyes 49 yd FG GOODTied at 13
Air Force End of half, 3 plays
0:45Bryan Hansen kickoff for 65 yds
0:451st & 10 at own 25Aiden Calvert run for 12 yds to the AFA 37 for a 1ST down
0:451st & 10 at own 37Zac Larrier pass complete to John Lee Eldridge III for 3 yds to the AFA 40
0:002nd & 7 at own 40Zac Larrier sacked by Grady Kelly and James Mitchell for a loss of 1 yard to the AFA 39
3rd quarter5 drives, then Air Force 23, Colorado State 13
Air Force Touchdown, 10 plays
15:00Bryan Hansen kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
15:001st & 10 at own 25John Lee Eldridge III run for 9 yds to the AFA 34
15:002nd & 1 at own 34Colorado State Penalty, Unsportsmanlike Conduct (15 Yards) to the AFA 49 for a 1ST down
15:001st & 10 at own 49Emmanuel Michel run for 3 yds to the CSU 48
15:002nd & 7 at opp 48Zac Larrier run for 4 yds to the CSU 44
15:003rd & 3 at opp 44John Lee Eldridge III run for 12 yds to the CSU 32 for a 1ST down
15:001st & 10 at opp 32Emmanuel Michel run for 2 yds to the CSU 30
15:002nd & 8 at opp 30John Lee Eldridge III run for 2 yds to the CSU 28
15:003rd & 6 at opp 28Zac Larrier pass complete to Brandon Engel for 14 yds to the CSU 14 for a 1ST down
15:001st & 10 at opp 14Emmanuel Michel run for 4 yds to the CSU 10
15:002nd & 6 at opp 10John Lee Eldridge III run for 9 yds to the CSU 1 for a 1ST down
8:581st & goal at opp 1Zac Larrier run for 1 yd for a TD (Matthew Dapore KICK)Air Force 20, Colorado State 13
Colorado State Punt, 6 plays
8:58Reagan Tubbs kickoff for 65 yds
8:581st & 10 at own 25Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass incomplete
8:582nd & 10 at own 25Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Tory Horton for 6 yds to the CSU 31
8:583rd & 4 at own 31Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Tory Horton for 12 yds to the CSU 43 for a 1ST down
8:581st & 10 at own 43Vann Schield run for 2 yds to the CSU 45
8:582nd & 8 at own 45Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Justus Ross-Simmons for 2 yds to the CSU 47
6:574th & 6 at own 47Timeout Air Force, clock 06:57
6:573rd & 6 at own 47Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass incomplete
6:504th & 6 at own 47Paddy Turner punt for 53 yds for a touchback
Air Force Field goal, 8 plays
6:501st & 10 at own 20Emmanuel Michel run for 2 yds to the AFA 22
6:502nd & 8 at own 22Zac Larrier run for 3 yds to the AFA 25
6:503rd & 5 at own 25Emmanuel Michel run for 53 yds to the CSU 22 for a 1ST down
6:501st & 10 at opp 22Colorado State Penalty, Defensive Holding (4 Yards) to the CSU 9 for a 1ST down
4:141st & goal at opp 9KINAMON, Dane rush to the right for a gain of 9 yards to the CSU0, TOUCHDOWN AFA, score nullified by penalty, clock 04:14 (Play was confirmed after review). PENALTY AFA Holding on ELDRIDGE III, John Lee enforced 10 yards from the CSU9 to the CSU19. NO PLAY (replay the down).
4:141st & goal at opp 19Zac Larrier run for a loss of 1 yard to the CSU 20
4:142nd & goal at opp 20Emmanuel Michel run for 6 yds to the CSU 14
4:143rd & goal at opp 14Dane Kinamon run for 3 yds to the CSU 11
2:034th & goal at opp 11Matthew Dapore 29 yd FG GOODAir Force 23, Colorado State 13
Colorado State Punt, 3 plays
2:03Reagan Tubbs kickoff for 62 yds
2:031st & 10 at own 25Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass incomplete
2:032nd & 10 at own 25Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass incomplete
2:033rd & 10 at own 25Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass incomplete
1:384th & 10 at own 25Paddy Turner punt for 48 yds, downed at the AFA 27
Air Force Punt, 5 plays
1:381st & 10 at own 27Emmanuel Michel run for 5 yds to the AFA 32
0:002nd & 5 at own 32Emmanuel Michel run for 12 yds to the AFA 44 for a 1ST down
Q4 15:001st & 10 at own 44Dane Kinamon run for 2 yds to the AFA 46
Q4 15:002nd & 8 at own 46Emmanuel Michel run for 3 yds to the AFA 49
Q4 15:003rd & 5 at own 49Zac Larrier pass incomplete
Q4 13:544th & 5 at own 49Carson Bay punt for 41 yds, downed at the CSU 10
4th quarter4 drives, then Air Force 30, Colorado State 13
Colorado State Turnover on downs, 7 plays
13:541st & 10 at own 10Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Justus Ross-Simmons for 7 yds to the CSU 17
13:542nd & 3 at own 17Colorado State Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the CSU 12
13:542nd & 8 at own 12Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Justus Ross-Simmons for 6 yds to the CSU 18
13:543rd & 2 at own 18Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Dallin Holker for 15 yds to the CSU 33 for a 1ST down
13:541st & 10 at own 33Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi sacked by PJ Ramsey for a loss of 6 yards to the CSU 27
13:542nd & 16 at own 27Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass incomplete
13:543rd & 16 at own 27Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Justus Ross-Simmons for 9 yds to the CSU 36
10:514th & 7 at own 36Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass incomplete
Air Force Touchdown, 3 plays
10:511st & 10 at opp 36QB Keeper LARRIER, Zac rush to the left for a gain of 2 yards to the CSU34 (WILSON, Chase;BLACKBURN, Henry). PENALTY CSU Face mask on WILSON, Chase enforced 15 yards from the CSU34 to the CSU19 and results in automatic 1ST DOWN. NO PLAY (replay the down).
10:511st & 10 at opp 19Emmanuel Michel run for 11 yds to the CSU 8 for a 1ST down
10:511st & goal at opp 8Emmanuel Michel run for 3 yds to the CSU 5
8:512nd & goal at opp 5Emmanuel Michel run for 5 yds for a TD (Matthew Dapore KICK)Air Force 30, Colorado State 13
Colorado State Turnover on downs, 12 plays
8:51Reagan Tubbs kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
8:511st & 10 at own 25Vann Schield run for 6 yds to the CSU 31
8:512nd & 4 at own 31Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Dallin Holker for 5 yds to the CSU 36 for a 1ST down
8:511st & 10 at own 36Vann Schield run for 3 yds to the CSU 39
8:512nd & 7 at own 39Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Louis Brown IV for 14 yds to the AFA 47 for a 1ST down
8:511st & 10 at opp 47Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Justus Ross-Simmons for 15 yds to the AFA 32 for a 1ST down
8:511st & 10 at opp 32Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass incomplete
8:512nd & 10 at opp 32Vann Schield run for 4 yds to the AFA 28
8:513rd & 6 at opp 28Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi run for 6 yds to the AFA 22 for a 1ST down
8:511st & 10 at opp 22Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass incomplete
8:512nd & 10 at opp 22Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass complete to Louis Brown IV for 7 yds to the AFA 15
8:513rd & 3 at opp 15Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass incomplete
5:044th & 3 at opp 15Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi pass incomplete
Air Force End of game, 8 plays
5:041st & 10 at own 15Emmanuel Michel run for 4 yds to the AFA 19
5:042nd & 6 at own 19Owen Burk run for 5 yds to the AFA 24
5:043rd & 1 at own 24Zac Larrier run for 6 yds to the AFA 30 for a 1ST down
5:041st & 10 at own 30Owen Burk run for 4 yds to the AFA 34
1:281st & 10 at own 41Timeout Air Force, clock 01:28
1:282nd & 6 at own 34Owen Burk run for 7 yds to the AFA 41 for a 1ST down
1:281st & 10 at own 41Kneel down by LARRIER, Zac at AFA39 (team loss of 2).
1:282nd & 12 at own 39Kneel down by LARRIER, Zac at AFA37 (team loss of 2).
0:003rd & 14 at own 37Kneel down by LARRIER, Zac at AFA35 (team loss of 2), clock 00:00.

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.

Air Force leads 40–⁠22–⁠1 in 63 meetings, counting the two since this game.

Recent meetings
2025Air Force 42, Colorado State 21
2024Colorado State 21, Air Force 13
2023Air Force 30, Colorado State 13
2022Air Force 24, Colorado State 12
2021Air Force 35, Colorado State 21
2019Air Force 38, Colorado State 21

Around this game