Air Force headed to Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
12/7/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
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Air Force has accepted a bid to play in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise, Idaho, on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 3:45 p.m. MT against Western Michigan from the Mid-American Conference.
Air Force and Western Michigan will be playing for the first time. The Falcons are 2-1 all-time against teams from the Mid-American Conference, including a 0-1 mark in bowl games. Air Force lost to Toledo, 42-41, in the 2011 Military Bowl in Washington, D.C., in its last game against a Mid-American opponent. Western Michigan finished the season 8-4 overall and 6-2 in league play.
Air Force is playing in its 24th bowl game and first since 2012. The Falcons have earned a bowl bid seven times in head coach Troy Calhoun's eight seasons which is the best run in school history. Air Force has a 10-12-1 all-time bowl record, including a 2-4 mark under Calhoun.
"We are thrilled to represent the Mountain West in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl against a quality opponent like Western Michigan," Air Force Director of Athletics Dr. Hans Mueh said. "This will be a great opportunity for our team to compete in a Mountain West city and to finish out what has been a remarkable season. I'm very happy for our staff and players to play in a seventh bowl game in eight years. What a tribute to the kind of young people we have at the Air Force Academy."
Air Force has had a season for the record books in 2014. The Falcons have posted a 9-3 overall record and 5-3 mark in conference play after going 2-10 overall and 0-8 in conference play last season. Along the way, Air Force became one of only two teams in the nation (Ole Miss) to defeat a pair of 10-win teams. Air Force defeated Mountain division champion Boise State and No. 21 Colorado State, who each finished the season with 10-plus wins.
Air Force's seven-game turnaround is a school record and ties with TCU and bowl opponent Western Michigan as the best in the nation. Air Force opened the season winning four of its first five, including beating service academy rival Navy, 30-21, in Falcon Stadium. Following a loss at Utah State, the Falcons closed the regular season winning five of six games, including a 23-6 win at Army to claim a record 19th Commander-in-Chief's Trophy victory. Air Force finished the regular season with three straight games against first-place teams. Air Force beat Nevada, 45-38, in overtime in Falcon Stadium. Following their only loss during the stretch at San Diego State, 30-14, Air Force rebounded to beat Colorado State, 27-24. The 2-1 mark against the first place teams solidified Air Force's standing as one of the top teams in the conference.
