1971 Sugar Bowl

The 1971 Sugar Bowl was a was a college football bowl game between the Air Force Falcons and the Tennessee Volunteers.

Background

The Falcons were an NCAA Independent in their first Sugar Bowl under long tenured Ben Martin. In his 13th year, he had a 68-57-7 record and made Air Force into national prominence and led the team to a ranking in the AP Poll for the 2nd time in school history. However, the then #10 ranked Falcons lost their final game to Colorado after beating Stanford (a Rose Bowl participant). Tennessee on the other hand rose from #8 at the time of the invite to #4. This was the Vols' fifth Sugar Bowl appearance and first since 1957. The game was a match of offense vs defense. Air Force averaged 423.6 yards in offense, while Tennessee surrendered only 88.4 yards on defense.^[1]

Game summary

Quarterback Bobby Scott summed the game up with a quote after the game: "We had the momentum going." The Volunteers, not fooled by Air Force's eight man line, drove 59 yards and culminated with a Don McLeary touchdown, a drive done in 2 minutes, 45 seconds. It only grew worse for the Falcons as they fumbled on their ensuing drive, as the Vols added in a field goal by George Hunt soon after. After an Air Force pun, the Vols drove down the field once again, driving 58 yards that culminated in McLeary's 2nd touchdown. A fumble by Air Force gave the ball back to the Vols at the Falcons' own 24. Four plays later, Scott passed to Gary Theiler for a touchdown. By this point, 3:12 was left in the first period, and it was 28-0. Air Force did later score in the quarter, happening on a fumble recovery by Darryl Hass in the endzone on a bad snap while the Vols were in their own territory. The second quarter went scoreless, as the demoralized Falcons trailed 24-7. The third quarter turned out to be worse. Bobby Majors returned an Air Force punt 57 yards for a touchdown. Air Force added in a measly touchdown later in the quarter, but by that point it was 31-13, and Hunt added in his 2nd field goal to make the final score 34-13.^[2]

Aftermath

Air Force has not returned to the Sugar Bowl since this game. Tennessee has returned twice, 1986 and 1991.

Statistics

References