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AIR FORCE 23, VIRGINIA TECH 7
December 15, 1984 - Shreveport, La.
Independence Stadium - Att: 41,100
SHREVEPORT, La. - Quarterback Bart Weiss got Air Force's wishbone attack going in the second half and led the Falcons to a 23-7 victory over Virginia Tech in the Independence Bowl.
Tech took a 7-3 lead in the first quarter on a 10-play, 72-yard drive that featured a 32-yard run by tailback Eddie Hunter. Maurice Williams, who alternated at the tailback spot with Hunter, capped the march with a 3-yard touchdown run.
The complexion of the game changed drastically midway through the second quarter when the Falcons forced and recovered a fumble at the Tech 3. Halfback Jody Simmons took a pitchout to the left and put Air Force ahead.
The Hokies missed a great chance to regain the lead before the half, and found themselves trailing 10-7, despite having 192 yards of offense and 11 first downs to Air Force's 73 yards and three first downs.
The news got worse for Tech in the second half when Weiss got the Falcons' ground attack going. Neither team scored in the third quarter, but Air Force controlled the football for all but eight plays of the quarter. The Falcons got a break in the fourth quarter when a halfback pass by Hunter was intercepted. From their own 38, the Falcons scored on a classic wishbone drive that ate up seven minutes and put them ahead 17-7 with just six minutes remaining in the game.
Tech's comeback hopes ended when a fumble at its own 30 set up another Air Force score. Weiss, who was named the game's most valuable offensive player, put the finishing touches on the Falcons' win with a 13-yard touchdown run.
Tech linebacker Vince Daniels, who was credited with 15 tackles, was named the game's most valuable defensive player.
Virginia Tech 7 0 0 0 - 7 Air Force 3 7 0 13 - 23AF (6:05 re 1st) - FG Maetos 35
VT (1:42 re 1st) - Williams 3 run (Wade kick)
AF (8:50 re 2nd) - Simmons 3 run (Maetos kick)
AF (6:00 re 4th) - Brown 2 run (Maetos kick)
AF (2:08 re 4th) - Weiss 13 run (kick failed)
| Team Statistics | VT | AF |
|---|---|---|
| First Downs | 17 | 15 |
| Rushes-yds. | 42-207 | 55-221 |
| Passing yds. | 102 | 49 |
| Total off. | 309 | 270 |
| Passes | 11-26-2 | 6-7-0 |
| Punts-avg. | 4-40.0 | 6-42.5 |
| Fumbles-lost | 2-2 | 2-0 |
| Penalties-yds. | 11-112 | 4-30 |
Individual Leaders
Rushing - VT, Hunter 12-75, Williams 12-60, M. Cox 10-33, Bowe 4-23, Becton 3-18, Greenwood 1-(-2); AF, Weiss 29-93, Evans 15-58, Simmons 5-27, Pittman 1-24, Brown 3-8, Knorr 1-6.
Passing - VT, M. Cox 6-17-1-50, Greenwood 5-8-0-52, Hunter 0-1-1-0; AF, Weiss 6-7-0-49.
Receiving - VT, Rider 4-45, Nelson 3-24, Jones 2-21, Howell 1-7, Bowe 1-5; AF, Simmons 2-7, Coleman 1-16, Fleming 1-14, Brennan 1-9, Brown 1-3.
