College Football : Far West Roundup : San Diego State’s Santos Is Shot Down by Air Force

Sophomore Dee Dowis set a school rushing record, Alfred Booker ran for three touchdowns and the Air Force Academy defense, led by Chad Hennings, defused San Diego State’s vaunted air attack, 49-7, Saturday at Air Force Academy, Colo.

Dowis, a 5-foot 10-inch, 160-pounder, rushed for 188 yards in just over three quarters, the highest rushing total ever for a Falcon quarterback and just 19 yards shy of Brian Bream’s all-time Air Force record.

Booker scored on runs of 1, 24 and 3 yards, while Hennings, a 270-pound defensive tackle, was in the San Diego State backfield all afternoon, pressuring quarterback Todd Santos in the key Western Athletic Conference game.

Santos, who had set a National Collegiate Athletic Assn. record for accuracy for passers with at least 35 completions the week before in a 52-34 victory over Utah, was held to 20 completions in 40 attempts and 258 yards by the Falcons defense.

The victory raised Air Force’s record to 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the WAC, while defending conference champion San Diego State fell to 1-1 in the WAC and 1-2 overall.

Oklahoma St. 35, Wyoming 29--Thurman Thomas rushed for 193 yards and scored once, while teammate Rod Smith recovered three turnovers as Oklahoma State (3-0) edged Wyoming (1-2) at Laramie, Wyo.

The loss dampened Wyoming quarterback Craig Burnett’s school-record 441 yards passing, which came on a 34-of-54 performance. In addition, the senior injured his left knee on the game’s last play.

“We’re very concerned about Craig,” Wyoming Coach Paul Roach said. “We’re uncertain at this point of its (the injury’s) severity.”

Texas El Paso 45, Colorado St. 6--Pat Hegarty threw for three touchdowns and ran for one as the Miners defeated the Rams in a Western Athletic Conference game at Fort Collins, Colo.

It was the third consecutive loss for Coach Leon Fuller and the first in conference play. It was the second victory in two tries for UTEP Coach Bob Stull.

The Rams fumbled five times in the first half, losing four, and saw Hegarty and the Miners convert two for scores.