ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - When Air Force quarterback Tim Jefferson went out in the first quarter with an injury against New Mexico, there was no reason for the Falcons to panic.
Backup Connor Dietz took over and led the Falcons to a 42-0 victory against the winless Lobos on Saturday.
"It was one of those times where Tim went down and I had to step up for my team," Dietz said. "They all made it really easy for me to come in. They all did their part, which just makes my job that much easier."
Dietz led the Falcons (4-4, 1-3 Mountain West) to 335 rushing yards, running for 87 on six carries, including a 39-yard burst up the middle with a minute remaining in the first half that put them up 35-0.
"It was just a draw," he said of the long score. "The defense was playing back and our offensive line had some great blocks and our fullback led up on the linebacker. It made my running lane pretty easy so all I had to do was run forward.
"As a ball carrier, that's the best feeling you can have, because you see daylight and green and all you have to do is not get touched."
Fullback Mike DeWitt had four touchdown runs for Air Force.
"We're fortunate to have an awesome backup quarterback," he said. "He does a great job. He's always ready and getting warm on the sideline and he did a great job today. It's not good to lose your starting quarterback but it's nothing big so I'm sure he'll be back in there. It was just business as usual."
Air Force coach Troy Calhoun also had no qualms about putting Dietz out there.
"To be able to have Connor Dietz available and to be able to help us as a football team is a real plus," he said.
New Mexico (0-8, 0-3) had 63 yards from Crusoe Gongbay on 10 carries.The Lobos totaled 223 yards in getting shut out for a second straight week.
"Everyone is mad," Gongbay said. "Mad after every game."
The Falcons scored their first touchdown when Austin Briehl recovered a teammates' fumble in the end zone. DeWitt scored three straight touchdowns, going in from 4, 12 and 3.
