Final Score: Air Force 23, Wyoming 3

Laramie, WY (Sports Network) - Shea Smith and Todd Newell both scored touchdowns on the ground as the Air Force Falcons defeated the Wyoming Cowboys, 23-3, in Mountain West Conference action at War Memorial Stadium.

Smith, who converted a mere 3-of-4 passing for 15 yards and was picked off once, tied for the game high with 16 rushing attempts, leading to 43 yards for the Falcons (2-0, 1-0 MWC) as they picked up a critical conference victory in just the second week of action. Newell added eight carries for 23 yards and a touchdown for an Air Force squad that ran the ball a total of 63 times for 261 yards, compared to 140 yards rushing for the Cowboys (1-1, 0-1).

Wyoming quarterbacks Dax Crum and Karsten Sween combined to hit just 8-of-22 passes for 76 yards, with the former being sacked four times and intercepted once.

Following a scoreless first quarter, Air Force kicker Ryan Harrison put the visitors on the scoreboard first with a successful 40-yard field goal at the 8:49 mark of the second frame.

With under a minute to play in the first half the Pokes knotted the score at 3-3 when Jake Scott knocked through a 47-yard effort.

Harrison's 27-yard field goal early in the third quarter put the Falcons ahead for good, with Smith's one-yard TD run with 2:41 to play in the period giving the academy a 13-3 advantage.

A 44-yard field goal by Harrison in the fourth was followed by a one-yard touchdown run by Newell late in the contest, providing the Falcons with a comfortable 20-point victory.

Wyoming, which converted just two of its 13 third-down attempts, controlled the ball for a only 22:46 of the contest, including a scant 1:52 in the final period.

This was the 1,000th game in Wyoming football history, the team having played 468 home games, 518 contests on the road and 14 bouts at neutral sites over the last 112 years.

"We gave up one big play, but the story is five turnovers, you just can't do that," is how Wyoming head coach Joe Glenn reflected on his team's efforts. "We were ineffective offensively and struggled with the quarterback. We are going to put it behind us and get back to work."

On the other side of the field, Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun was well aware of just how big the conference win was for his squad. "Anytime you win on the road it?s a big win, but when you beat a team that has a tough defense and a good offensive line then it becomes a little bigger."

09/06 21:49:28 ET