Liam Szarka played a pivotal role in leading the Air Force Falcons to a 26-16 victory over the San Jose State Spartans on Saturday night. Szarka accounted for three touchdowns, showcasing his versatility and skill on the field.
The game unfolded in San Jose, California, where Szarka completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Quin Smith. This play capped a significant 10-play, 75-yard drive, extending the Falcons” lead to 23-13 with just over nine minutes remaining in the game.
Despite a strong response from San Jose State, with Denis Lynch kicking a 34-yard field goal to narrow the gap to 23-16, Air Force managed to control the clock effectively. They utilized most of the remaining time before Reagan Tubbs secured the win with a 33-yard field goal just 34 seconds before the final whistle.
In addition to his passing efforts, Szarka rushed for 87 yards on 25 carries, which included two short-yardage touchdown runs in the second quarter. His performance was complemented by Owen Allen, who rushed for 109 yards on 20 carries.
On the opposing side, San Jose State”s quarterback Walker Eget completed 27 of 42 passes for 334 yards. However, he struggled with interception issues, throwing two picks during the game. Leland Smith emerged as a key target for Eget, recording nine receptions for 144 yards, while Kyri Shoels added six catches for 93 yards.
San Jose State also saw a touchdown from Steve Chavez-Soto, who ran for an 8-yard score that brought the Spartans to within three points at 16-13 early in the fourth quarter. Ultimately, Air Force”s defense held firm, and they walked away with a crucial win in the Mountain West Conference.
