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AFA beats Abilene Christian 37-21

Pat Graham
Associated Press
Air Force wide receiver Ronald Cleveland is chased by Abilene outside linebacker Sam Denmark before scoring a touchdown during an NCAA college football game at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo. Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016. (Stacie Scott/The Gazette via AP)
AP | The Gazette

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Ronald Cleveland rushed for a score and caught a 62-yard TD pass as Air Force beat Abilene Christian 37-21 on Saturday for its 13th straight win at home.

Cleveland plays a hybrid position in the Air Force’s triple-option offense. His 33-yard TD run in the second quarter began a spurt of 21 straight points to help the Falcons (1-0) pull away from pesky Abilene Christian (0-1). The sophomore entered the game with one career carry.

Quarterback Nate Romine guided the offense in his return from a knee injury that sidelined him most of last season. He finished with two TD passes as Air Force improved to 21-0 all-time against Football Championship Subdivision teams.



Abilene Christian kept it close for most of the game thanks to a defense that recovered two early fumbles. Dallas Sealey threw three TD passes, including a 76-yard strike to Tracy James with 4:14 remaining that made it 37-21.

Air Force hasn’t lost at Falcon Stadium since Nov. 21, 2013, against UNLV. It’s the longest home winning streak in team history.



This was a difficult day for the Falcon family as they honored former quarterback Dee Dowis by wearing helmet decals that featured his initials and No. 6. The school also stenciled “DD” on the 6-yard-line at both ends of the field and held a moment of silence.

Dowis died Monday morning in a car accident outside Atlanta. He was 48.

A technician at running the option offense, Dowis graduated as the academy’s career leading rusher.

THE TAKEAWAY

Air Force: A ho-hum performance. The Falcons improve to 10-0 in season openers under coach Troy Calhoun.

UP NEXT

Abilene Christian: Host Northern Colorado, Sept. 10. The Wildcats lead the series, 10-5-1, but have dropped five straight.

Air Force: Host Georgia State, Sept. 10. The Falcons beat the Panthers 48-34 on Sept. 13, 2014, in the only meeting between the two teams.


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