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Colorado Springs, Colo. • After everything — a late rally against Southern Utah in the opener, a beatdown of nationally ranked Boise State in October and last week's mistake-filled loss at New Mexico — Utah State's football season comes down to Saturday's game at Air Force.
If they win, the Aggies become bowl-eligible and still have a slim chance of reaching the Mountain West Conference championship game.
If the Aggies lose, they fall to .500, their title hopes disappear and they must defeat Nevada or BYU in the next two weeks just to qualify for a bowl.
"We need to fight like crazy," said coach Matt Wells.
Beating Air Force won't be easy, however.
The Falcons have won three straight games and are already bowl-eligible. They are 5-0 at home this season. It will also be an emotional Senior Day for 21 players who are suiting up for the final time at Falcon Stadium.
"We've got to get back up off the mat," Wells said. "Air Force is a really good team that's playing with a lot of confidence. … They're going to be ready to play."
Will Utah State?
The Aggies squandered three late scoring chances in their 14-13 loss at New Mexico, including a missed field goal with 59 seconds remaining and a fumble at the Lobo 22 with 6:32 left.
Receiver Brandon Swindall believes Utah State has put the tough-to-swallow loss in the rearview mirror.
"In this game, you have to let it go," he said. "You can't just sit on it, because if you sit on it, it will mess up the rest of your season. For us, we just have to let it go. That's how we're looking at it. Going into the game, we were in the driver's seat of the Mountain Division so it was pretty heartbreaking to lose. But you have to move on."
Like New Mexico, Air Force runs an option offense.
The Utah State defense shut down the Lobos with the exception of one play — an 86-yard touchdown pass on a busted coverage — but the Falcons' scheme is more sophisticated.
"They are broader-based in the type of options they run," Wells said. "… We've got to be very disciplined in the back end and guys have to understand their responsibilities and assignments. We have to be on-point on defense."
Utah State will start sophomore Kent Myers at quarterback, even though senior Chuckie Keeton returned from a seven-week absence because of a knee injury against New Mexico. He played one series.
Against Air Force, Myers faces an opponent that ranks second in total defense (290.8) and third in scoring defense (18.9) in the Mountain West. The Falcons have not allowed an offensive touchdown in 11 quarters.
"They've been really good, especially with their pressure," Wells said. "They're going to add guys to the box and try to outnumber you in the run game."
Mostly, Wells wants to see a spirited, opportunistic effort — something that was missing at times against New Mexico.
"There were four times the ball was on the ground and they got them all," Wells said. "Every one was a competitive fumble recovery and we didn't get any of them. … We didn't make any of those plays and, to win a ball game, you have to make some of those plays."
Twitter: @sluhm —
Utah State at Air Force
P At Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Kickoff • noon
Online • ESPN3
Radio • 610 AM, 1280 AM, 95.9 FM, 102.1 FM
Records • Utah State 5-4, 4-2; Air Force 6-3, 4-1
Series history • Utah State, 2-1
Last meeting • Utah State, 34-16 (2014)
About the Aggies • They are 1-4 on the road. … They are 10-2 after a loss under coach Matt Wells. … They are 13-4 in their last 17 Mountain West Conference road games. … They rank 39th in the country in rushing defense (142.6). … QB Kent Myers completes 63.1 percent of his passes. He has thrown for 10 touchdowns. He has been intercepted only once.
About the Falcons • They have consecutive wins over Fresno State, Hawaii and Army. … Those teams are a combined 6-22. … They are 41-14 at home under coach Troy Calhoun. … They have trailed for only 10 minutes in home wins this season over Morgan State, San Jose State, Wyoming, Fresno and Army. … They lead the Mountain West in quarterback sacks (27).