Asher Clark (17) runs for a touchdown (AP Photo/Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Max Faulkner)
The cliché was proven right once again: defense wins championships. Or in this case, the Bell Armed Forces Bowl 2009. The Air Force Falcons’ top ranked pass defense dominated in every aspect against Houston’s number one ranked passing attack, picking off Houston quarterback Case Keenum six times, and bringing pressure for 60 straight minutes. They limited the Cougars offense to 222 passing yards and 109 rushing yards. Keenum finished the game completing 24-of-41 passes for 222 yards with 1 touchdown and 6 interceptions, a career high in interceptions for Keenum. Six interceptions also ties a bowl record for most interceptions thrown in a bowlgame. Bruce Lee (Arizona) threw six picks in the 1968 Sun Bowl.
It was Air Force’s 20th appearance in a bowlgame, and the third straight appearance in the Armed Forces Bowl. After losing in both 2007 and 2008, Air Force took control of the game from the first minute. After Asher Clark capped off the opening drive with a 36 yard touchdown run, Keenum came out for his first drive but ended up throwing an interception on his first pass attempt, which helped the Falcons to take a quick 14-0 lead after a 6 yard running touchdown by Jared Tew. The Falcons rushing attack has been the strenght of the team all season, and it was no different during the bowlgame. The team finished the game with a total of 402 rushing yards by 9 different ball carriers. Tew and Asher both rushed for 100+ yards (Tew 173 on 26 carries; Clark 129 on 17 carries).
By the end of the first half, the Falcons lead the Cougars 24-6. Houston started the second half with a 79 yard kickoff return for a touchdown by wide receiver Tyron Carrier, but on the following kickoff by Houston, Air Force answered right away with a 100 yard kickoff return by Jonathan Warzeka, bringing the score to 31-13. Case Keenum was able to bring the Cougars back to 31-20 on a 10 yard touchdown pass to Patrick Edwards in the middle of the third quarter. But after the touchdown, it was all Air Force. The Falcons effectively ran out the clock, adding a fieldgoal by Erik Soderberg and two more touchdown runs (1 yard run by quarterback Tim Jefferson and a 71 yard run by Jared Tew) in the process to get to the final score of 20-47. Erik Soderberg missed the extra point after the last touchdown.
Senior safety Chris Thomas, who will play in the East-West Shrine game in January, had 2 of the 6 interceptions and 12 tackles. Falcons quarterback Tim Jefferson had a solid game, completing 10 of 14 passes for 161 yards. Air Force dominated every aspect of the game, including the time of possession. The Falcons controlled the ball for 41 minutes, compared to 19 minutes for the Cougars.
With disappointing seasons by Colorado and Colorado State, the victory by the Air Force Falcons was a great way for Colorado football to close the year of 2009.
