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Air Force defeats New Mexico 37-13

Sep 20, 2009 - 3:37 AM ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(AP) -- Jon Davis intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown, to lead Air Force to a 37-13 victory over New Mexico on Saturday.

The Falcons (2-1, 1-0 Mountain West Conference) defense held the Lobos (0-3, 0-1) to 290 total yards and forced four turnovers in the conference opener for both teams.

Davis snared his first interception at the end of the first quarter, returning it 38 yards for a score to put the Falcons up 17-0.

Air Force played most of the game without starting quarterback Tim Jefferson, who left in the first quarter with a sprained right ankle. He was replaced by backup quarterback Connor Dietz, who directed the Falcons to a series of short scores.

"Obviously, he's a great player on this team," Dietz said of Jefferson. "We all look up to him. I just wanted to go in there and help out the team."

The Falcons, which entered the game leading the country in rushing, rolled up 298 yards on the ground. Asher Clark led the way with 86 yards on 20 carries.

James Wright had touchdown runs of 43 and 84 yards and finished with 125 yards for the Lobos.

"I was really disappointed that we lost," he said. "The game plan of the offense is to never give up, so that's what we were doing."

It was the third straight blowout loss for New Mexico, which scored its first offensive touchdown of the season, breaking a drought that had stretched 15 quarters.