Honestly, if you just glance at the final air force falcons football score from any random week in 2025, you’d think it was a standard, maybe even disappointing, year for the Academy. They finished 4-8. On paper, that looks like a bit of a nosedive for a program that usually grinds teams into the turf with that relentless triple-option. But if you actually watched the games—especially that heart-stopper against Navy or the shootout in Vegas—you know the record doesn't tell the whole story.
The season felt like a series of "what ifs."
What if the defense could have gotten one more stop against UNLV? What if that last-second field goal against Army hadn't split the uprights? It was a year where the Falcons were often just one play away from a completely different narrative. From a dominant 49-13 opening win over Bucknell to a gritty season-ending victory against Colorado State, let's break down what actually happened on the field.
The 2025 Air Force Falcons Football Score Log
If you’re looking for the raw numbers, here’s how the season shook out. It wasn't always pretty, but it was certainly never boring.
- Aug 30: Air Force 49, Bucknell 13 (A dominant start at Falcon Stadium)
- Sept 13: Utah State 49, Air Force 30 (The defense struggled in Logan)
- Sept 20: Boise State 49, Air Force 37 (A high-scoring battle against a powerhouse)
- Sept 27: Hawaii 44, Air Force 35 (The third straight game giving up 40+)
- Oct 4: Navy 34, Air Force 31 (A total classic in Annapolis)
- Oct 11: UNLV 51, Air Force 48 (11 lead changes and a missed FG at the buzzer)
- Oct 18: Air Force 24, Wyoming 21 (Finally back in the win column)
- Nov 1: Army 20, Air Force 17 (Heartbreak on a last-second field goal)
- Nov 8: Air Force 26, San Jose State 16 (A solid road win in the Bay Area)
- Nov 15: UConn 26, Air Force 16 (Tough road trip to East Hartford)
- Nov 22: New Mexico 20, Air Force 3 (The offense completely stalled)
- Nov 28: Air Force 42, Colorado State 21 (Ending on a high note in the rivalry game)
The Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy Heartbreak
For any Air Force fan, the scores that matter most are against Navy and Army. This year was brutal because they were right there in both games.
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The Navy game was basically a track meet. Most people expect service academy games to be 13-10 defensive struggles, but this was the opposite. They combined for nearly 1,000 yards of offense. Liam Szarka was incredible, throwing for over 200 and rushing for 150. He actually became the first player in school history to have three straight games with 200 passing yards and 100 rushing yards. But Navy’s Blake Horvath was just a tiny bit better, and a 34-yard field goal with under seven minutes left ended up being the difference.
Then came the Army game.
It was tied 17-17 late in the fourth. Air Force had a chance, but Army's Dawson Jones nailed a 27-yarder as time expired. Losing both rivalry games by a combined 6 points is the kind of thing that keeps coaches up at night. It’s the difference between a "building year" and a championship year.
Why the Defense Struggled Early
You can't talk about the air force falcons football score without mentioning the mid-season defensive slump. Giving up 49 to Utah State, 49 to Boise State, 44 to Hawaii, 34 to Navy, and 51 to UNLV is... not the Air Force way.
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Usually, the Falcons win by controlling the clock and keeping the other team's offense off the field. But in 2025, the secondary got exposed a few times. Against UNLV, there were 11 lead changes. Eleven! It was a wild, four-hour marathon that felt more like a Big 12 game from ten years ago than a Mountain West clash. UNLV eventually won 51-48, but only because Air Force missed a 40-yard field goal as time ran out.
The Liam Szarka Era
If there’s a silver lining to the 4-8 record, it’s the emergence of Liam Szarka. The kid is a playmaker. In an era where the "traditional" triple-option is evolving, Szarka showed he can actually sling it when he needs to.
His performance against Navy—212 passing yards and 152 rushing yards—was a glimpse into the future. Even when the team was losing, the offense was often moving. They put up 48 points on UNLV and 35 on Hawaii. Usually, if Air Force scores 35 points, they win. In 2025, that wasn't a guarantee.
Closing Out with the Ram-Falcon Trophy
It’s always good to beat Colorado State. The final score of 42-21 in the season finale probably felt like a massive weight off the team's shoulders. Owen Allen had a huge game with 107 yards on the ground, and the Falcons looked like the dominant version of themselves again.
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They finished 4-8 overall and 3-5 in the Mountain West. While they didn't make a bowl game—missing out on the postseason for the first time in a few years—that final win in Fort Collins at least gave the seniors a proper send-off.
What’s Next for the Falcons?
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, the blueprint is pretty clear. The offense has found its rhythm with Szarka and a solid rotation of backs like Owen Allen and Cade Harris. The real work happens on the defensive side of the ball.
If they can tighten up the red zone defense and stop the explosive plays that plagued them in September and October, those close losses will turn into wins. Most experts expect a bounce-back year, especially with a seasoned quarterback returning to lead the charge.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Track Recruiting: Keep an eye on how the Falcons address the secondary in the upcoming recruiting class; they need more speed at safety.
- Spring Game: Watch the 2026 Spring Game to see if the defensive scheme shifts to a more aggressive "bend but don't break" style.
- Schedule Check: The 2026 Mountain West opponents are already out; start looking at the home-away splits to see if the travel schedule is more favorable next year.