2006 Week 17

In a disappointing end to an otherwise great season, Air Force lost the Fort Worth bowl to Southern Miss by a final of 42-35. Despite outgaining the Eagles 554-350, and being ahead in almost every other statistical column, there was one stat that the Falcons couldn't overcome -- turnovers. The -3 differential made the difference in the game, with one fumble and two interceptions.

The toughest play of the game to swallow came late. After trailing by 14 and fighting back to tie the score at 35 with just under two minutes to go in the game, the Falcons kicked the ball deep hoping to get a stop and give their offense another shot. The coverage was there, and the Southern Miss return man fumbled the ball, but impact TE #86 impossibly scooped up the fumble in the middle of traffic and returned in the rest of the way. Ten seconds after the Falcons had tied the game, they were back down by 7, and it would be enough for Southern Miss to hang on.

Despite the bowl loss, coach Hemmen has to be pleased with a 9-4 record, especially with a noticeable lack of athleticism on the defensive side of the ball and on the line of scrimmage. The Falcons will enter the off-season having signed 5 solid prospects during the year, and look to improve in a number of now-open positions on the team with a good recruiting effort.

[video] - The Falcons have a perfect quick slant ruined when Thompson fumbles it during the tackle.
[video] - Under enormous pressure, Carney delivers a 43-yard TD pass to Mike Moffett.
[video] - Handley wills his way into the endzone for a 21-yard TD and a tie game.
[video] - TE #86 does the impossible, scoring on a fumbled kickoff return to close out the game.