USAFA, Colo. – Air Force scored touchdowns the first four times it touched the ball and never looked back in a 39-21 win over Utah State in the Mountain West opener for both teams on Friday night at Falcon Stadium.

True freshman quarterback McCae Hillstead, who replaced starter Cooper Legas early in the second quarter, was 18-of-27 passing for 202 yards and three touchdowns for the Aggies (1-2, 0-1 MW).

Micah Davis, who spent his first two collegiate seasons at Air Force, caught a career-high-tying four catches for 84 yards. The junior wide receiver was on the receiving end of a 6-yard touchdown pass from Hillstead that capped the game's scoring with 8:43 left in the fourth quarter.

For the third-straight game, Terrell Vaughn led Utah State in receptions. The senior wide receiver caught six passes for 61 yards, including a 2-yarder from Hillstead for the Aggies' first TD of the night late in the second quarter.

Junior wide receiver Jalen Royals also found the end zone for the Aggies on a 9-yard pass from Hillstead in the third quarter. He finished with four receptions for a career-high 52 yards.

Emmanuel Michel powered the offense for Air Force (3-0, 1-0) on the night as he rushed for 106 yards and three touchdowns. Owen Burk also eclipsed the century mark on the ground with 110 yards rushing on 15 carries.

Air Force quarterback Zac Larrier was 3-for-4 passing for 84 yards, to go along with 56 yards rushing and a touchdown. The Falcons racked up 428 yards of total offense, but allowed a season-high 302 yards.

Two of Air Force's first-half touchdowns came after turnovers by USU, which had its two-game winning streak against the Falcons snapped.

Following the second of those two turnovers, an interception thrown by Legas, Utah State head coach Blake Anderson made the change under center.

Junior running back Rahsul Faison led the Aggies in rushing with 40 yards on seven carries. Junior tight end Broc Lane had four receptions for 36 yards, both career highs.

Defensively, sophomore inside linebacker Cole Joyce finished with a career-high 11 tackles, including 1.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sacks. Ike Larsen also had 11 stops, which was a career best for the sophomore safety.

UP NEXT 
 
Utah State is back in action on Saturday, Sept. 23, when the Aggies welcome James Madison (2-0) to Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium. The game is slated to kick off at 6 p.m. and will be televised live on KJZZ.