By Steve MullinsAssistant Sports Editor
After Saturday’s 41-27 win at Army, Air Force thought it wasassured a bowl game.
The celebration was short lived.
Over the weekend, Mountain West Conference officials determinedthat the Falcons’ annihilation of Division I-AA Cal State Northridgewould not count should it be needed to secure a bowl berth.
In its first game of the season, Air Force rushed for 583 yardsand defeated Northridge 55-6.
The reason for the ruling is simple: Northridge did not haveenough players on scholarship.
“I don’t know how this turned up,” said Falcons head coach FisherDeBerry. “Had we known that was the case, we certainly would not havescheduled them. I’m sure there’s a possibility of an appeal process.”
For now, DeBerry said he is focusing on Air Force’s next two gamesagainst Colorado State and San Diego State.
Colorado State
Although Colorado State is getting respect from coaches around thecountry, not enough Associated Press sportswriters view CSU as anelite team.
The ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll has the Rams (8-1, 5-0) at No. 20while the AP has them unranked.
“I must have been (mean to writers),” Lubick said. “I guess noteveryone sees everything. But I think anyone who has seen us playthis season would have to be impressed.”
CSU’s standing with the writers is particularly interesting, givenits 45-21 nationally-televised victory over Brigham Young lastThursday.
In that game, the Rams built a 45-0 lead before BYU eventuallyscored with just over four minutes remaining in the third quarter.
SDSU head coach Ted Tollner said part of the problem is theperception of the MWC.
“I think it’s going to be that way until we start beating someteams from (BCS-eligible) conferences,” Tollner said. “I don’t lookat the writer’s poll, but I think Colorado State is certainlydeserving of a Top-25 ranking and that’s why I voted for them.”
New Mexico
The Lobos are one of four MWC teams that are still eligible forthe post-season. This Saturday they will travel to UNLV.
This game will be of significance to both teams, because the loserwill fall out of bowl contention.
“We’re excited about this week’s game,” Long said. “UNLV is a teama lot like us. They’ve improved dramatically since last year. I thinkit’s going to be an exciting game and I have no idea whether itsgoing to be high scoring or low scoring.”
The Rebels (4-5, 2-3 MWC) had scored 85 points in their previoustwo contests before losing to Utah 38-16 last Saturday.
UNLV
The Rebels racked up just 241 yards of total offense against theUtes Saturday in part because they were without Jason Thomas, theirstar quarterback.
Thomas missed the game with a nagging foot injury. Head coach JohnRobinson said he may play this weekend.
Thomas, a sophomore transfer, is currently third in the MWC intotal offense, averaging nearly 200 yards per game.
Players of the week
Offensive: Matt Newton, Colorado State, QB
The senior gunslinger completed 19-of-31 passes for 298 yards andthree touchdowns in CSU’s 45-21 win over BYU.
Defensive: Dylan Robles, San Diego State, LB
The junior amassed 10 tackles (five solo, four for losses), twosacks, a forced fumble and a recovery in SDSU’s 17-16come-from-behind victory over New Mexico.
Special Teams: Dave Adams, Air Force, K
The senior tied a school record with four field goals, including a53-and 54-yarder, in the Falcons’ 41-27 triumph at Army.
