U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Air Force opened its season by overwhelming Duquesne on both sides of the ball, rushing for 431 yards and holding the Dukes to 106 total yards in a 34-0 victory Saturday at Falcon Stadium.
The Falcons controlled the game from the opening possession and never allowed Duquesne to establish an offensive rhythm. Air Force’s rushing total was its most in a season opener since 2022, while the shutout was the program’s first in a season opener since beating Stony Brook 38-0 in 2018.
Senior fullback Kemper Hodges and senior tailback Rocco Conti helped lead the ground attack, while quarterback Liam Szarka scored twice on the ground in his first season opener as the starter.
“We wanted to come out and establish who we are,” Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said. “Our guys played with great energy, and I thought we were able to execute in all three phases.”
Hodges opened the scoring with a 4-yard touchdown run in the first quarter after a 15-play, 80-yard drive put the Falcons in control. Szarka then capped another long possession with a 2-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter, giving Air Force a 14-0 advantage.
The Falcons added two field goals from sophomore Carter Cremascoli before halftime. Cremascoli made the first two field goals of his career, including a 52-yarder that extended Air Force’s lead to 20-0.
The defense was just as effective.
Junior defensive back Max Mustell intercepted Duquesne quarterback in the second quarter to set up one of Cremascoli’s field goals. Korey Johnson added another interception on the final play of the first half, ending a promising Duquesne drive.
Air Force continued to dominate after halftime. Junior linebacker Blake Fletcher recorded a sack and 1½ tackles for loss during the Falcons’ first two defensive series of the third quarter.
Hodges then broke loose for a 29-yard run late in the quarter, setting up Szarka’s second rushing touchdown and pushing the lead to 27-0.
Sophomore quarterback Evan Medders capped the scoring with his first career rushing touchdown, giving Air Force its largest season-opening shutout in eight years.
“We knew coming in that they were going to be physical, and we had to match that,” Hodges said. “Once we got rolling, the offensive line was opening things up, and we just kept attacking.”
The victory extended Air Force’s season-opening winning streak to 20 games, the second-longest active streak in the nation. The Falcons also improved to 30-0 all time against FCS opponents, with every victory coming at Falcon Stadium.
Air Force improved to 21-1 in its last 22 home season openers and Calhoun remained unbeaten against FCS opponents as the Falcons’ head coach.
Air Force will remain home next Saturday when it hosts North Dakota State at 8 p.m. MT. Duquesne will look to rebound against its next opponent.
