AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Quarterback Arion Worthman ran for five touchdowns, including a 1-yard plunge with 2:14 remaining and Air Force rallied from a 27-point deficit to beat UNLV 34-30 on Saturday.

The go-ahead 80-yard drive was preceded by a wild sequence in which UNLV quarterback Armani Rogers fumbled at the end of a run and the ball squirted forward some 20 yards with at least two Rebels players missing a chance to grab it before Falcons linebacker Shaquille Vereen fell on it in the end zone for a touchback.

It was the second largest comeback by Air Force (2-4, 1-2 Mountain West Conference), which overcame a 28-point deficit in a 44-38 overtime victory over Fresno State in 1996.

Worthman finished with 166 yards rushing with TD runs of 14, 1, 5 and 6 before diving in for the game-winner.

Rogers was 12-of-27 passing for 145 yards and ran 16 times for 148 yards and a touchdown. Lexington Thomas rushed 17 times for 91 yards, including a 55-yard score to finish off the Rebels’ opening possession.

Evan Pantels added field goals of 40, 27, and 34 yards for UNLV (2-4, 1-2).

Air Force trailed 27-0 before getting on the board near the end of the first half with a 14-yard touchdown run by Worthman on a quarterback keep play.

The Falcons outscored the Rebels 27-3 in the second half to complete the comeback.

THE TAKEAWAY

UNLV: The Rebels forced four Falcons turnovers but were undone by their own costly miscue in the waning minutes. And after an explosive start, their offense bogged down badly and was unable to answer the relentless late challenge from the Falcons. The Rebels were limited to one first down in the third quarter.

Air Force: The Falcons won despite making a slew of mistakes that included five fumbles (four lost), a missed field goal and an aborted field goal in which the snap sailed over the holder’s head. But a late scoring drive in the second quarter allowed them to go into halftime with a touchdown on the board and they took advantage of their opportunities in the second half where the Rebels did not.

UP NEXT

UNLV: Returns home to host Utah State next Saturday

Air Force: Faces a quick turnaround on the road, playing at Nevada on Friday night.


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