SHREVEPORT, LA. -- The Air Force Falcons took advantage of a costly Georgia Tech turnover to score a go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter, then rode their airtight defense to a 14-7 Independence Bowl victory Monday.
A battle between the nation's top two rushing offenses did not disappoint, as the teams racked up a combined 449 rushing yards. The difference was Georgia Tech's three fumbles, the most critical of which came on the final play of the third quarter when Daniel McKayhan muffed his second punt of the game, giving Air Force the ball inside the Yellow Jacket 20 yard line.
Jared Tew capped off the short drive with a three yard touchdown run, turning a 7-6 deficit into a 14-7 lead after the Falcons got the two point conversion.
Falcons quarterback Tim Jefferson was good enough, completing 11 of 23 passes for 117 yards and no turnovers. He also engineered a nine minute, 19 second drive that took the clock from 11:10 to 1:51 in the fourth quarter.
The Yellow Jackets had one final chance to tie the game, but Tevin Washington's pass was intercepted at the Air Force 1 yard line with 14 seconds left.
Georgia Tech managed just 41 passing yards but racked up 279 yards on the ground.
It's the second straight bowl win for the Falcons, who finish the season 9-4. Georgia Tech finishes 6-7.
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