Air Force Academy, Colo. ? The Colorado State coaches asked Jeff Babcock to send the opening kickoff of the second half through the end zone.

“I’m glad I didn’t,” Babcock said.

Air Force’s Bryan Blew took Babcock’s kick at the goal line and returned it to near the 30, where he fumbled.

Babcock recovered the fumble and returned it 29 yards for a rare touchdown by a placekicker as No. 24 Colorado State beat Air Force 31-12 Thursday.

Cecil Sapp ran for 132 yards and two touchdowns as the Rams (8-2, 4-0 Mountain West) posted their fourth straight victory. It was the Falcons’ third straight loss.

Air Force (6-3, 3-2) lost any chance of getting back into the game by failing on two fourth-down plays in the third quarter, both in CSU territory.

On the opening kickoff of the second half, Blew fumbled when hit by David Foley. Babcock scooped up the loose ball and ran it back for a 28-12 lead. It was the first touchdown by a CSU kicker since 1961.

“Scoring a touchdown was the greatest,” Babcock said. “The only thing that could have been better would have been kicking a game-winning field goal.

Colorado State quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt said the Rams’ sideline erupted when Babcock scored with laughter. But Van Pelt said Babcock’s score came at a critical time.

“That was really big,” he said. “That was the momentum shift. Who knows what would have happened if they had kept the ball and gone on and scored. It could have been a whole different game.”

Falcons coach Fisher DeBerry said he felt good about his team’s chances at halftime. Then came Babcock’s score.

“I don’t know of a worse way in the world to start the second half,” he said.

Babcock tacked on a 27-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter.

On a frigid night that began with a temperature of 16 degrees and wind chill of 11, neither team punted until the fourth quarter, and there was only one penalty.

Colorado State outgained the Falcons 341 yards to 250. Air Force’s triple option, the nation’s No. 2 rushing attack, produced 221 yards rushing but only 29 passing.

“I think this was our best game all year,” Rams coach Sonny Lubick said. “We put it all together.”

Colorado State scored on three long drives to take a 21-6 lead late in the first half before Air Force scored just before halftime, making it 21-12.

The Rams took the opening kickoff and marched 77 yards in 15 plays, capped by Sapp’s 2-yard TD run.