FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Of all the mistakes Air Force committed, coach Troy Calhoun pointed out one in particular.
"We'd like to have hit that extra point," he said.
That PAT bonked off the upright right after Air Force answered Colorado State's early score. It was just the way the day went in a 38-23 loss to the Rams on Saturday.
The Falcons (3-3, 2-1 Mountain West) also botched a field goal attempt, turned the ball over twice and never got their vaunted option offense rolling. With that, they missed out on an opportunity to stay atop the Mountain Division with Utah State, which upset No. 21 Boise State on Friday.
Even more, the Falcons lost fullback Shayne Davern in the third quarter with an apparent right knee injury. Davern had 76 yards rushing, including a 60-yard TD run. There was no update after the game.
Air Force is 8-2 against the Rams (3-4, 1-2) since 2006.
"Offensively, we could've been more crisp," Calhoun said. "And defensively, we have to be better in coverage."
Quarterback Karson Roberts couldn't get the offense on track, with the Falcons held to 269 yards rushing, below their league-leading average of 320.8. Roberts finished with 104 yards passing, while receiver Tyler Williams completed the only pass he threw — a 33-yard strike to Davern.
"They played better than we did today," Calhoun said.
With a vote of confidence before the game, Nick Stevens threw for a career-best 296 yards and three touchdown passes, including a pair to Joe Hansley. For most of the season, Stevens has glanced toward the sideline, just to see if backup Coleman Key might be coming in for a play or two. Coach Mike Bobo told Stevens he wouldn't be doing that — no matter what happened.
"Nick looked calm and collected," All-American receiver Rashard Higgins said. "He was a poet with what he was doing."
Jasen Oden Jr. scored twice and rushed for 89 yards. Hansley came up big with Higgins limited by a hamstring injury and an illness. Hansley caught three passes for 75 yards to help Colorado State capture the Ram-Falcon Trophy, an award given to the winner since 1980.
Up 14-13 late in the first half, Colorado State scored 24 straight points to pull away. The defense played a big role by stopping Air Force's vaunted option attack and forcing two turnovers. Tyree Simmons had an interception and also forced a fumble that was recovered by Deonte Clyburn.
Higgins was drained at times from the flu that kept him out of practice. He still finished with seven catches for 74 yards, including a diving 33-yard reception late in the third quarter that led to a field goal to put Colorado State up 38-13.
He also recovered an onside kick with 4:21 remaining after Air Force sliced the lead to 38-23.
Hansley had a 75-yard punt return for a score in the first quarter negated by an illegal block. That didn't matter, as the Rams scored five plays later when Stevens found a wide open Steven Walker for a 23-yard TD.
Air Force quickly answered on Davern's 60-yard run up the middle. Drew Oehrle missed the extra point off the upright.
It was just that sort of afternoon for the Falcons on special teams. They couldn't attempt a 30-yard field goal after long-snapper Andrew Gikas sent the ball high to holder Brett Dunn, who fumbled the football and had to pounce on it.
The Falcons sent Luke Strebel out to make a 41-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
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