BADGERS UPEND AIR FORCE TO EARN SEASON’S FIRST VICTORY
by Tyler Hughes

The Snow College Badgers opened up their season in Colorado Springs versus the Air Force Prep Huskies.  The Badgers entering the contest as the NJCAA #4 ranked team, confirmed their high ranking while rolling to a 56-17 victory. 

Snow, without starting quarterback Jon Eastman, started true freshman Quinn Mecham.  Mecham was able to lead the Badgers to a score on their opening drive.  A 7 play, 53 yard drive was capped off by Tyson Church on 1-yard touchdown run.

The Badger defense, the nation’s top unit in 2007, was able to hold serve while forcing Air Force into a three-and-out situation, however, Snow would start their next possession backed up on their own 14 yard line.  Snow responded with its second scoring drive in as many attempts.  This time they traveled 86 yards in 12 plays highlighted by some nifty running by Mecham.  Flushed twice from the pocket, Mecham ran for 38 yards on two scrambles.  Church, then picked up his second touchdown run of the afternoon; this time from six yards out.

With the Badgers offense rolling, the defense continued to put the pressure on the Huskies.  Starting middle linebacker, Isi Filimoeatu, tallied 7 solo tackles and 5 assists and sophomore safety Zeke Mendenhall picked up 5 solos and 5 assists as well.  Defensive tackle, Nick Zundel was especially impressive while recording three tackles for loss. 

Snow was able to score on each of their next two possessions giving them four touchdown drives in their opening four possessions.  Tyson Church, from Mt. Pleasant, Utah, was able to tally his third of four touchdowns to give the Badgers a 21 point lead followed by Mecham connecting with Regan Buck on a 21 yard scoring strike to give Snow a 28-0 lead.  A late Air Force field goal cut the Badger halftime lead to a 28-3 advantage; however, Snow was primed for a great second half following the first half dominance. 

Within minutes of the start of the second half Snow struck again; however, this time it was with a defensive score.  Sophomore safety, Joey Schrader returned an errant Air Force pass 41 yards for a touchdown to extend their lead to 35-3.  A fumble by Air Force on the ensuing kickoff recovered by Mazi Ogbonna put Mecham under center for the Badgers at the Air Force 36 yard line.  A 30 yard pass completion on 1st down from Mecham to Church placed Snow on the 6 yard line.  Church punched it in a few plays later as Snow had a 42-3 lead. 

The Huskies were finally able to answer to cut the lead to 42-10 but the Badgers went back on the attack with a 70 yard kickoff return by Travis Barney that placed Snow on the Air Force 10 yard line.  A few snaps later Snow had built a 49-10 lead after a 5 yard run by Mecham. 

Special teams tallied the final two scores in the game.  A botched snap on the Badgers first punt attempt late in the third quarter helped Air Force cut the lead to 49-17, but a run by Buck on 4th down while Snow was running their rugby punt from 60 yards out capped off the impressive win. 

“It was good to get the first win of the season.  We have a great deal of work to do.  Many improvements can be made, but we are excited to start things off on the right foot,” said Steve Coburn.  Coburn, entering his third season as the Badgers Head Coach, is now 23-2 overall in three seasons at the helm.

Snow will be on the road next week when they play the Mesa Thunderbirds.  Mesa is ranked #23 nationally and is coming off of a 9-2 season in 2007.  You can listen to the game live right here on snowbadgers.com. 

Snow College, founded in 1888, serves approximately 3,000 students at its Ephraim campus. The college provides general education and applied technology programs leading to Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science and Associate of Pre-Engineering degrees, and certificates of completion in a number of occupational areas.  Once owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Snow College became a state college in 1932.

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