Badgers bully Air Force Prep into 41-24 victory
Bob Bahlmann
Staff writer
9-29-2016
EPHRAIM—Snow College came away with a 41-24 victory over Air Force Prep Last Saturday in a game that can only be described as an an emotional rollercoaster .
On Snow’s opening drive, leading rusher Josh Labrador was noticeably missing from the Badger backfield. Justin Miller completed a nice pass to Alex Croyle for 13 yards and then scrambled 43 yards to get to the Air Force 11.
The Badgers ran seven plays in the next three and a half minutes but couldn’t punch the football in. Finally, Snow settled for a 28-yard Austin Pulver field goal to go ahead by three.
Air Force returned the ensuing kickoff for a TD and the seesaw battle was in full swing. Ultimately, the Badger defense held the Huskies scoreless in the final 27 minutes of the game, sealing the 41-24 victory for Snow.
Snow dominated both sides of the line of scrimmage, defensively allowing the Huskies only 97 yards of total offense. On offense, Snow amassed a quiet 479 yards, 140 rushing and 339 in the air.
All three of the Air Force touchdowns were the result of special-team miscues. Twice the Huskies returned kickoffs for scores. Their third touchdown came after a squib kick by Air Force was mishandled by the Badgers giving the Huskies the ball at the Badger 10.
Trailing 24-20, the Badgers punted away. Air Force was on the move when Alani Pututua made a spectacular one-handed interception that gave Snow the ball on the Husky 13. On the next play, Miller found Croyle on a crossing pattern for a TD, and from that point on, it was all Snow College.
Miller had his best game as a Badger, completing 26 of 39 passes for 339 yards. Croyle caught eight for 112 yards and a pair of TDs. Brandon Jones had five receptions for 105 yards and two TDs. Arlonzo Simpson had five catches as well for 38 yards.
Shaquille Delli led the Badger rushing attack with 112 yards on eight carries, an impressive 14 yards per touch. Brandon Jones averaged 21 yards per carry, getting 105 yards on five runs.
Connor Taylor led the Badger defense with nine tackles, Ione Leilua had five, while Braxton Winterton, Kayden Conner and Sione Vehikite had four each.
Snow will have this week off, but will travel to Yuma, Ariz. on Oct. 8 to face Arizona Western. The Matadors are currently undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the nation.
