The US Air Force Academy made a big statement in the West DIA Conference Saturday with a decisive 66-24 defeat of Colorado State.

 

With CSU having beaten Colorado handily, and thus eating a spot in the Goff Rugby Report rankings, Air Force’s victory is all the more impressive. AFA Head Coach Joe Muehlbauer thought so, too.

 

“Sometimes you don’t play well and you get a big score, but this time I think the guys earned it - they played well,” he sad. “I think CSU is a good team and is on the upswing, but they had some injuries, and it was pretty hot today for Colorado Springs. Our speed and fitness came into play.”

 

The Zoomies like to play with a lot of pace and endeavor and it worked for them this time around, as they punished CSU mistakes and finished the stronger. Center Calvin Johnson was once again a big factor for Air Force, as he was in the middle of multiple scoring movements. Meanwhile, Muehlbauer’s cadre of young football converts have taken to rugby quite well, and helped Air Force dominate the scrums and lineouts.

 

“We want to be a quick-striking team and emulate the Super Rugby way of playing - keeping the ball alive, offloading, quick rucks, and quick lineouts,” said Muehlbauer. “Fitness is our strength, and speed, but what’s also good is we have the size, now, too.”

Air Force leads the West with a 2-0 record.