Cooks blocks punt, Jefferson runs for 2 TDs in Air Force’s 14-6 win over Navy

Jefferson scores twice in Air Force win over Navy

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Freshman Jamil Cooks hurdled a blocker to smother a punt, setting up quarterback Tim Jefferson’s second touchdown run, and Air Force beat Navy for the first time in eight years 14-6 on Saturday.

The Falcons (4-1) were clinging to a one-point lead when Cooks jumped over Jared Marks in the backfield and kept right on going to block Kyle Delahooke’s punt. The ball rolled backward to the Navy 15-yard line.

After three rushes, Jefferson, who also had a 50-yard touchdown run, pushed his way into the end zone from a yard out with 12:38 remaining.

Navy drove to the Air Force 33-yard line before Jordan Waiwaiole intercepted Ricky Dobbs’ third-down pass with 25 seconds to go to help Air Force snap its seven-year losing streak to Navy.

Jared Tew ran for 111 yards on 17 carries for Air Force, part of 292 yards on the ground by the nation’s top rushing team.

Navy (2-2) pulled within 7-6 on Joe Buckley’s second field goal, a 32-yarder with 10:58 remaining in the third quarter. The drive began after Jefferson’s errant pitch bounced off Asher Clark’s shoulder pads and was recovered by Aaron McCauley.

Air Force led 7-3 at halftime behind Jefferson’s first touchdown run. The Falcons covered 80 yards in three plays, all on the ground, capped by Jefferson’s career-long 50-yard gain. He broke past the line of scrimmage on the option, powered through a couple of tackles and raced into the clear, outrunning Navy defenders en route to the end zone.

Buckley, who missed a chip shot try earlier, got Navy on the board with a 25-yard field goal midway through the second quarter after quarterback Ricky Dobbs’ third-down run was stopped short.