Air Force pulls away from Demons, 65-21

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Tim Jefferson threw two TD passes and ran for two more, helping Air Force pull away in the second half from Northwestern State 65-21 on Saturday in a game marred by three neck injuries.

Jonathan Warzeka ran for a touchdown, caught another and set up two more scores with long kickoff returns as the Falcons scored 41 unanswered second-half points.

The loss left Northwestern State coach Bradley Dale Peveto searching for his first win after going 0-11 last season in his inaugural year.

The game was delayed for at least 40 minutes as three players were taken off on stretchers with neck injuries.

Demons safety Lance Lacoste hurt his neck covering a punt in the third quarter, while Northwestern State offensive guard Josh Cunningham and Air Force cornerback Reggie Rembert were taken off in the opening quarter.

The Demons said Lacoste felt a severe pain in his neck and that Cunningham had a possible stinger, along with a concussion. Both were taken to a hospital as a precaution. It was unclear how Cunningham was injured.

Rembert had feeling in all extremities after hurting his neck on a tackle.

The Falcons secondary suffered a blow with the loss of Rembert, who is one of the top defensive backs in the Mountain West Conference.

Northwestern State quarterback Paul Harris went to work predominantly on that side of the field. Harris finished 19 for 32 for 214 yards and one touchdown. He also ran for a score.

Most of his work, though, was accomplished in the first half.

In the second half, the Falcons stiffened on defense, allowing just over 50 yards.

Harris was momentarily knocked out of the game just before halftime with the Demons driving. Tyler Wolfe finished up the drive, that culminated with a short TD pass to Justin Aldredge with 33 seconds remaining before halftime. It drew the upstart Demons to within 24-21.

Soon after, the Falcons found their footing, turning the game into a cakewalk as they finished with 616 yards of offense.

Northwestern State arrived into town two days early to explore the mountains. It was then hoping to spring a mountain of an upset.

The FCS Demons stayed with a team — at least for a half — that beat their fellow Southland Conference school Nicholls State, 72-0, in the 2009 opener.