Air Force defeated Cal Poly 43-17 Saturday in Moraga, Calif. to move on to a DIA quarterfinals Sunday against St. Mary’s.

The game was postponed from last week due to snow in Colorado, and Air Force traveled to Northern California at short notice to play two games in two days. 

Against the Mustangs, the Falcons battled through a closely-contested game in which Cal Poly seemed to have the ascendency in tight, but where Air Force ruled the skies.

“They scrummed really well,” said Air Force Coach James Paterson. “They pushed us over for two tries, one from the 22 which is something I’ve never seen.”

Michael Geib photo.

But Air Force was much deadlier out wide and with Paterson and Paul Emerick - two recent USA backs- - running the show, they stretched the Cal Poly defense and emerged winners.

Lock forward Hunter Hancock was huge for Air Force, while wings Casey Rothstein and Braden Smith enjoyed a big day on the wings.

Things don’t get much better on Sunday as the Falcons take on the St. Mary’s Gaels. It’s tough for Air Force because the Academy Cadets need special permission to leave campus for a game, and they didn’t know until Thursday whether the postponed game would be played at all, played in Colorado, or played in California. So for Sunday, they will be seriously understaffed.

“It’s going to be really tough,” said Paterson. “But if anybody can handle it, it;s these Academy boys.”

Meanwhile in other DIA action, Lindenwood defeated Indiana 36-28. Brandon Chalker scored three tries and Linaile Tshuma kicked 11 points and set up a try. 

Life defeated Davenport 44-0. 

Maciu Koroi scored two tries and Jason Riekena, Sam Cowley, Zander Van Schalkwyk, and Alex Maughan all touched down in a dominant display.

And on Saturday night, Utah defeated Arizona 36-14. 

So the semifinals will be:

Life v Lindenwood

Utah v St. Mary's or Air Force

Michael Geib photo.