Last-minute TD lifts No. 20 Utah past Air Force

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Darrell Mack scored three second-half touchdowns, including a 9-yard run up the middle with 58 seconds remaining, to help No. 20 Utah rally for a 30-23 win over Air Force on Saturday.

The Utes are 4-0 for the first time since 2004, when they went 12-0 in Urban Meyer’s final season with the team before he bolted for Florida.

Mack and fellow tailback Matt Asiata wore down Air Force, especially in the second half. Asiata finished with 19 carries for 116 yards, and Mack had 101 on 18 attempts.

Utah (4-0, 2-0 Mountain West Conference) kept Air Force’s vaunted ground game in check, allowing 53 yards. The Falcons (3-1, 1-1) entered the game with the nation’s second-best rushing offense, averaging 358 yards a game.

The Falcons got back into the game by discovering their passing game. Quarterback Shea Smith completed a 37-yard pass to Kevin Fogler, then a 29-yarder to Josh Cousins, setting up Savier Stephens’ 1-yard plunge with 5:06 left to tie the score at 23.

The Utes then marched the ball down the field, with Mack bursting through a seam for the winning score.

Utah safety Joe Dale intercepted Smith to end the game.

Mack’s 8-yard TD run early in the third quarter tied the score. He also had a 1-yard score on fourth down 1:51 into the fourth quarter that temporarily gave the Utes the lead.

Utah quarterback Brian Johnson fumbled twice and threw an interception in the first half. He rebounded to finish with 243 yards passing and one touchdown. He also was sacked five times.

• Tulsa 56, New Mexico 14 — At Tulsa, Okla., David Johnson threw for 469 yards and six touchdowns as the Golden Hurricane christened its newly remodeled H.A. Chapman Stadium with a rout.

Johnson, who entered the game as the nation’s leader in pass efficiency, completed 24 of 39 passes in a performance marred by two interceptions.

Tulsa’s defense chipped in, with Roy Roberts returning an interception 41 yards for a TD. Tulsa (3-0) limited the Lobos (1-3) to 316 yards of offense.

• Colorado State 28, Houston 25 — At Fort Collins, Colo., Billy Farris threw for 276 yards and two touchdowns, and Klint Kubiak preserved the win with an interception in the end zone as the Rams (2-1) held off the Cougars (1-3).

Farris was 24-for-33. Dion Morton caught five passes for 126 yards and a score for Colorado State.

• Texas Christian 48, Southern Methodist 7 — At Dallas, Joseph Turner ran for 67 yards, including two 4-yard touchdowns, as the Horned Frogs routed the Mustangs.

The Horned Frogs (4-0) outgained SMU 498-210. The Mustangs (1-3) have allowed all four of their opponents to score more than 35 points.