FORT COLLINS, COLO. (AP) -- Tim Jefferson threw three touchdown passes to Zack Kauth in the second quarter and Air Force routed rival Colorado State 45-21 Saturday night to reach bowl eligibility for the fifth straight season.
The Falcons (7-5, 3-4 Mountain West) were expected to have their best season under fifth-year coach Troy Calhoun but a spate of injuries left them battling for a bowl on their season finale instead. Their resounding win marked the first time in the program's history that Air Force has won seven or more games in five straight seasons.
The Rams (3-8, 1-5) lost their seventh straight game overall and their sixth straight to the Falcons despite sophomore Chris Nwoke's career-best 269-yard rushing performance that included TD runs of 62 and 2 yards.
Kauth came into the game with just one TD catch this season. All three of his grabs Saturday were TDs, covering 33, 40 and 50 yards.
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