The 1984 Independence Bowl was a post-match post-match American college football game between Virginia Tech Hokies and Falcons Air Force at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana, on December 15, 1984. The match was the 1984 NCAA Division IA football season for both teams, and ended in a 23-7 victory for the Air Force Academy.
The Virginia Tech Hokies got an offer to the Independence Bowl after recording 8-3 during the 1984-1985 football season. Tech is the No. team. 3 in the country in terms of defense as a whole and No. 2 in the event of a hasty defense, due to the efforts of Tech Bruce Smith's defenders, the All-American winners and the Outland Trophy who would later become the first-overall selection in the 1985 NFL Draft. Smith was at the center of a debate on feasibility over the weeks before the game, was initially banned from participating in the game by the NCAA, which had put him on probation for accepting illegal gifts. Smith fought this probation period in Virginia and Louisiana courts, and was allowed to play in the game based on two court actions.
The face of the Hokies is the Falcons Air Force Academy of the United States, which has been 7-4 during the regular season, including a 5-3 record at the Western Athletic Conference. The Falcons are led by first-year head coach Fisher DeBerry and have the number 1 rush attack in the country, using their wishbone offense to great effect.
The game starts under a comfortable temperature and moderate wind. An estimated 41,100 people came out to watch the Falcons take the Hokies. The Air Force scored the first goal with a 35-yard field goal, but the Hokies hit back with a touchdown of 10-play, 72-yard drive, putting Virginia Tech ahead 7-3. The score would remain until the middle of the second quarter, when Virginia Tech fumbled the ball at the three-yard line itself. The Air Force recovered the ball and scored in the next game, regaining a 10-7 lead. After the break, the Virginia Tech defense began to break down under the Air Force rush attack. The Hokies and Air Force fought defensively during the third quarter, but in the fourth quarter, the Air Force attack was cleared for 13 unanswered points, which won. Air Force Quarterback Bart Weiss was named the most valuable player game on the offense, while Virginia Tech's linebacker Vince Daniels was named the game's most valuable player in defense.
Video 1984 Independence Bowl
Team selection
Air Force
The US Air Force Academy Falcons started the college football season in 1984 with new head coach Fisher DeBerry, who succeeded Ken Hatfield. Hatfield and Falcons had been 10-2 during 1983, including a victory at Independence Bowl 1983. After the victory, Hatfield accepted a head-coaching position at the University of Arkansas and DeBerry was hired to replace him, promoted from an offensive coordinator position.
In his first two home games of the Air Force, DeBerry's Falcons jumped to a great start. In the 1984 team opener, the Falcons defeated San Diego State, 34-17. The following week, Falcons blew North Colorado, 75-7. But after the two victories, things have become more difficult for the Falcons. The Air Force lost its next two games (in Utah and Wyoming) before defeating Colorado State, Navy, and traditional Notre Dame football powerer.
The final four games of The Falcons were split flat - two wins, two defeats - and Air Force completed the regular season with a 7-4 record and a Western Athletic Conference 4-3 record. At the end of November, in return for the success of their regular season, Falcons was invited to participate in the Independence Bowl, becoming the second team in the nine-year history of the game to be invited in two consecutive years.
Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech started the 1984 season under head coach Bill Dooley, who at the time was the greatest coach in Tech history. In 1983, the Hokies were 9-2, with one of two losses coming at the hands of No. 9 West Virginia in a national television game. Tech started the 1984 season with a win against Wake Forest but was followed by a defeat against West Virginia in one of the most controversial campus football rivals in the country at the time. In the next two weeks, Tech continued to take turns winning and losing, reaching an overall 2-2 record at the end of the fourth week of the season. Tech fortunes changed for the better during the last part of the season, however, as the Hokies went on to win six of their last seven games before earning an offer to Independence Bowl 1984.
Maps 1984 Independence Bowl
Added pregame
In the weeks leading up to the Mass of Independence, the game received more or more coverage than the recent national championship game due to the controversial status of Tech star Bruce Smith, who was involved in a legal battle with the NCAA about his participation in the game. Spread bettors favored the Air Force to win the game with four points. Ticket sales were slow in the weeks leading up to the bowl, and Virginia Tech was blamed for failing to sell all of its 12,000 tickets. Technology representatives say they may have to refund as many as 8,000 tickets because of the difficulty of selling tickets for games over 20 hours away by car.
Offensive fight
During the 1984 season, Virginia Tech's rush attack was led by Maurice Williams back, who had 149 carrying 574 yards and six touchdowns during the regular season. In the quarterback, the Hokies featured Mark Cox, who completed 86 passes for 983 yards, five touchdowns, and eight interceptions during the season. Cox's favorite target is the tight end of Joe Jones, who made it past 39 yards for 452 yards and one touchdown during the season.
On the other side of the field, the Air Force committed the country's number two offense during the regular 1984 season. Air Force backs, Pat Evans, led the team with 159 carrying 1,015 meters. Air Force Quarterback Bart Weiss is also known to run more than his death. Weiss finished the regular season with just 41 sessions for 668 yards and three touchdowns. He brought the ball 126 times for 540 yards and 10 goals. Ken Carpenter's wide receiver gets the most benefits from some of the thrown bait. He has 15 catches for 258 yards and two touchdowns during the regular season.
Defensive matchups
In defense, the Falcons are led by Terry Maki, who has a total of 137 tackles, including assists. Dwan Wilson has five interceptions for the Falcons, and the safety of Scott Thomas has four. Overall, Falcons allow an average of 148 yards to run and 167 meters per game. In scoring defense, the Falcons averaged just 21 points per game, while averaging 44 points per game itself.
The Virginia Tech defense, meanwhile, is the national No. 2 in a hurried defense and No. 3 in total defense. During 11 regular season games, Tech allowed an average of only 3.34 meters per game, the second lowest total allowed in Tech football history. The most important player in the defense was Tech Technician Bruce Smith, who collected 52 tackles and 16 sacks during the regular season. On December 6, Smith received the Outland Trophy, an award given to the top interior defense midfielder chosen by American sports writers. Among the defenses, the Hokies are led by Ashley Lee, who captures seven interceptions during the season.
Bruce Smith Controversy
In the spring of 1983, Virginia Tech was placed on probation by the NCAA for violations stemming from the illegal benefits afforded to players and potential candidates. The main effect of this experiment was to ban the players who benefited from participating in postseason games after the 1984 season. Seven of the eight players involved in the scandal left Virginia Tech or withdrawn the probation sentence as a result of an appeal to the NCAA. The eighth, Bruce Smith, is not.
Since the names of the eight players were kept secret, the general public was not informed that Bruce Smith, who had grown to be one of the best defenders in the country, would not be able to participate in the 1984 Independence Mass. Only when Smith filed a lawsuit to force Virginia Tech and NCAA to allow him to play in that match the situation unfolds. Dr Cecil Lloyd, chairman of the Independence Bowl, announced at the time of the lawsuit that he knew about Smith's restrictions, he probably would not invite Tech to play in the game.
Smith still obtained an order from the Virginia court to allow him to participate in the game, held in Louisiana. In response, the NCAA threatened to abolish the Independence Bowl certification if Smith was allowed to play. When bowls forbid Smith to participate, he obtained a restraining order from a Louisiana court to force the Bowl of Independence to allow him to play. On the day of the match, the NCAA seeks to appeal the decision to the Second Louisiana Circuit Court of Appeals, but three panel judges reject the appeal. At this time, the game will start soon, and Smith is allowed to play.
Game summary
The 1984 Independence Bowl began on 15 December 1984, in Shreveport, Louisiana. The game was broadcast in the United States on ESPN, and Howard David, Paul Maguire, and Steve Grad were the broadcasters. Weather at kickoff is comfortable 74Ã, Â ° F (23Ã, Â ° C) and winds from the southwest about 15 miles per hour (24 km/h). More than 41,000 tickets were sold for the match, but his presence was somewhat lacking, as many seats were vacant.
First quarter
Virginia Tech started to start the game, and the Air Force started the first drive of the game on the 20-yard line after touchback. The Falcons started the game with three successive fast strikes that failed to get the first down and punted to Virginia Tech. The Hokies started their first game after returning to the 35-yard line. Like the Air Force before them, Tech can not get down the first and punted. The Air Force began the second drive on the 34 yard line and was more successful on the second drive. Assisted with an offside penalty against Virginia Tech, the Falcons took the first down with a big run by Bart Weiss who broke through Tech's side in the field. The run was followed by several others from the Falcons, who drove inside the Tech red zone before being stopped by Tech Defense. Facing all four, the Air Force strives to achieve a 35-yard field goal, which works. With 6:35 remaining in the first quarter, Air Force lead 3-0.
After a post-score kick-off of the Air Force and a short comeback by the Hokies, Virginia Tech's offense began to drive in the 28-yard line. The five-yard penalty push pushed Tech's attack back five yards, but long-range by quarterback Mark Cox made a penalty and made Tech the first down. The other first down followed, and Tech broke into the Air Force side in the field. Once there, Eddie Hunter avoided Falcon's defender for a 33-yard run that took the Hokies inside the 20-yard Air Force line. Three other dramas pushed Tech forward, inside the five-yard line of the Air Force, for the first down. In the next game, Maurice Williams ran forward, into the final zone. The touchdown and extra points gave Virginia Tech a 7-3 lead with 1:42 left in the quarter.
The Air Force returned Virginia Tech's kick to the 21-yard line and was assisted by a personal penalty 15-yard penalty against Virginia Tech after his return. The Falcons thus started their journey on their 36-yard line. They kept moving the ball forward quickly, but almost suffered a severe setback when Weiss fumbled while carrying. He recovered his own drop, however, and the Falcons retained possession. With the Falcons facing all four in the field half, time runs out in the quarter. At the end of the first quarter, Virginia Tech led 7-3.
Second quarter
Still facing the fourth down, the Air Force moves to start the second quarter. Virginia Tech managed to recover and began the journey with a 32-yard line. The Hokies ran the ball successfully at first, getting down first and driving into the Falcons half field. Facing the third decline, Tech is aided by passive graduation penalties against the Air Force, which has the first Tech inside the Air Force's 25-page line. The Hokies advanced to the 20-yard line, but Cox was fired by Air Force defender Larry Nicklas, prompting Tech to return to the 27-yard line. Tech head coach Bill Dooley sent Don Wade's kicker to try a 43-yard field target. The kick falls short, and the margin stays at 7-3 with 11:03 left before halftime.
Due to the missing field goal, the Air Force took over from the point where the kick was off, a 27 yard line. Despite gaining momentum when they score from Virginia Tech, Falcons can not get one first attack and go three and out, getting rid of the ball. Tech refused to return the ball, which rolled into Virginia Tech's three yard line, where the Hokies attack took over. In the first game after the kick, Tech Nigel Bowe fumbled the ball, jumped by several defenders of the Air Force, who recovered it. After recovery missed, Falcons only played once to score and earn 10-7.
By 8:50 before halftime, Tech is now trailing for the first time since the beginning of this quarter. Needing to regain the lead, the Hokies returned the Air Force kickoff to approach the 20-yard line but did a 15-yard private foul penalty that drove Tech back into the 12-yard line and forced the Hokies to gain 22 yards for the first down. Tech can not do this because of the strong defense of the Air Force and punted after three and out. The kick was short, and the Air Force began his journey on the 44-yard line. The Falcons also went three and went out and back to Tech.
The Hokies rediscovered the punt on their 14-yard line. The Hokies went up once with three attacks, then one pass from Cox, advanced the ball to their 35-yard line. Facial hood punishment against Air Force assisted Tech as the Hokies drove inside the Air Force territory. The remaining time in the half quickly became a factor for Virginia Tech, as the Hokies broke through the Falcons' 45-yard line with only 1:10 remaining in half. When the Hokie stormed the ball, they were forced to call a timeout to stop the clock - who counted down following a rush game that did not get the first down or the end of the limit. Cox throws the bait occasionally, collecting short money, but most of the Hokies work during the drive is done on the ground. The technology penetrates the Air Force's red zone, driving to the Falcons' 12-yard line with 25 seconds left. When Cox attempted to throw bait into the final zone in an attempt to get a goal before time ended, Mike Chandler of the Air Force intercepted the ball, denying Hockey a scoring opportunity.
In the first half, the Air Force led 10-7.
Third quarter
The Air Force received the ball to start the second half and started on the 20-yard line after touchback. The Falcons drove into Tech territory, but the Hokies defense forced the Falcons to kick the ball near the midfield, and Tech took over at 12:23 in the quarter on the 24-yard line after a brief return. Like the Air Force, Tech takes the first few downs. But like the Air Force, the opposition defense forces a near midfield kick. After the kick, the Air Force took over the 20-yard line with 9:09 remaining in the quarter.
The Falcons had trouble moving the ball at first, but were helped by a 15-yard penalty against Virginia Tech that gave them their first down. Weiss finished the pass that gave Falcons down first and pushed the Air Force inside Tek area. In the first game in the Hokie region, Weiss fumbled the ball, but fell for loss, and the Air Force retained possession. Weiss made up for playing his two games later as he rushed for the first drop that kept the drive going. Despite that effort, Tech was able to force a stop and the Air Force kicked the ball with 3:10 remaining in the quarter.
Tech took over on the 13-yard line after the 63-yard stepped but went three and went out and itself was forced to kick the ball. Air Force attacks returned to the field on the 47-yard line after the kick. The Falcons took the first one down, but Tech's defense tightened and forced down a fourth. Taking just a few inches to get down first, the Air Force chose to try to get the required distance rather than pushing the ball away. But before the Falcons can start the game, time runs out in the third quarter. With one quarter left, Falcons still lead 10-7.
Fourth quarter
The fourth quarter begins with the Air Force who has the ball, facing down fourth, and needs to advance a few inches to get the first drop. During Falcons' attempts to get an inch, however, Tech Bruce Smith broke through the Air Force attack line and fired Bart Weiss for a loss. After failing to get the first down, the Air Force changed the ball to Virginia Tech, which started the journey on the 42-yard line. Eddie Hunter of Tech moves the ball forward with three successive strikes, resulting in the first drop and driving into the Air Force territory. Looking to tie up a game or get directions with a trick game; Tech head coach Bill Dooley ordered a game involving bait by Hunter instead of Mark Cox's quarterback. The pass was intercepted by Air Force defender Scott Thomas, and the Falcons took over the offense on their 38-yard line with 12:58 remaining in the game.
Like Virginia Tech, the Air Force began to move the ball to the ground. The Falcons were aided by two offsides penalties against the Hokies and drove into the Tech area. Once there, Weiss completed a 16-meter pass for Tom Coleman to first get off. Weiss took another down first by running the ball, pushing the Falcons inside Tech red zone with 10:10 left. Tech's defense stiffens, forcing the fourth down at the two-yard line. Instead of kicking the field goal, Fisher DeBerry was selected to try a touchdown, and Mike Brown ran the two yards needed. The following extra scores and points give Air Force a 17-7 advantage with 6:00 in the game remaining.
Virginia Tech Offenses began working on the 20-yard line that needed a quick score to have a chance to make a 10-point deficit, which would require two separate scores to make good. Mike Cox completed a seven-yard pass, then Maurice Williams fired a 15-yard free-kick that gave Tech the first drop and propelled the Hokies to the 42-yard line. Cox completed a long pass into the Air Force's red zone, but the completion was eliminated by an offensive bait penalty against Tech that kept the old Hokies settled, losing down, and an additional 15 yards. While scrambling for extra time to throw the ball, Cox was fired by Air Force defender Chris Funk and fumbled the ball. The Air Force recovered loose football, and Falcons offense returned to the field with just four minutes left to play.
The Falcons start their journey on the 30-yard Tech line after the miss, which effectively eliminates the opportunity Tech should get the two values ​​needed to regain its lead. The Falcons move the ball effectively down the field, running out of hours as they do so. Bart Weiss finally broke through Tech's defense to get the 12-yard and Falcons final touchdown from the game. Despite the extra point kick missed, the Air Force has taken a 23-7 lead with 2:08 remaining in the game. After the post-launch kickoff of Air Force, Tech's offense returned to the field on the 20-yard line. The first drama of the Hokies drive resulted in a 10-yard penalty against Tech. With time subside, Tech progressed the ball successfully through some bait, but time was running out shortly after Tek crossed the 50-yard line. The Air Force won 23-7.
Statistical summary
The 23 Tech points allowed in the game are marked only for the third time the Virginia Tech season allows more than 20 points in one game. For his performance in the game, Air Force quarterback Bart Weiss was named the most valuable player in the game by attacking. Linebacker Tech Virginia Vince Daniels was named the most valuable defensive player of the game. Daniels has 15 games, tying Tech's game-bowl record made by Ashley Lee at the Peach Bowl in 1981. His record is still standing today. Meanwhile, Weiss completed six of his seven operations over 49 meters. His main success came in a hurry ball, as he brought it 29 times to 93 yards and touchdown.
Virginia Tech's leading rusher is Eddie Hunter, who carries the ball 12 times for 75 yards. Tech quarterback Mark Cox completed the game after finishing just six of 17 passes for 50 yards and one interception. In total, Tech spins the ball more than four times - twice through interceptions and twice through lost loss.
Bruce Smith finished the game with a sack and eight tackles, and mentioned his poor performance at the time spent in training and in court. Other Virginia Tech players mention court battles as a distraction during game preparation, and also think that many Air Force players are inspired by the increased media coverage provided by Virginia Tech. Air Force boss Fisher DeBerry said he thought the pre-match publicity storm about Smith was helping his team. "It seems everyone forgets the Air Force is in town," he said. "The thing that motivates the team is the challenge of playing against them with him in the lineup."
Virginia Tech arranges some record of bowl games at the Independence Bowl that still stands today. The technology allows only two passes through the first down, seven pass attempts and 49 passing yards on defense. Instead, the Hokies allowed 55 attempts by the Air Force, a record against most Tech in bowl games. Bart Weiss made a record-game bowl for most players by a single player against Tech, and Falcons punter Mark Simon kicked the 63-yard punter the longest kick by Tek opponent in a bowl game.
Postgame effects
Losing Virginia Tech and Air Force victory brought both teams into the 1984 Finals 8-4 record. The loss left Virginia Tech without a win in five bowl appearances to that date. The win was the third Air Bowl bowl victory in years, and the Falcons became the first team to be repeated as champions of the Independence Bowl. The Hokies won the next bowl appearance, 1986 Peach Bowl. The Air Force appeared in the bowl the following year, against Texas.
Despite the unrecognized media coverage given to him and his poor performance during the Independence Bowl, Bruce Smith was elected with the first overall election in the 1985 NFL Draft. Smith then signed a $ 2.6 million contract by Buffalo Bills. During college football season 1985, Virginia Tech struggled to rebuild from the loss of 20 starters (10 on offense, 10 on defense) from the 1984 team, and finished with a 6-5 record. The Air Force, meanwhile, performed very well, finishing with a 11-1 record, including a game bowl victory over Texas Longhorns. Fisher DeBerry remains an Air Force coach for 22 years, finally retiring after the end of the 2006 season.
Nine years after appearing in Independence Bowl 1984, Tech was invited to participate in the 1993 game against Indiana. At that moment, the memory of the legal issues surrounding the game had been lost. The president of the Independence Bowl, Cecil Lloyd, said of the controversy in 1993, "This is the best thing that ever happened to the Independence Bowl.... It got us international publicity that put us on the map."
Note
References
- Lazenby, Roland. Legend: Virginia Tech's Pictorial History of Soccer. Taylor, Full Court Press (1986) ISBN: 978-0-913767-11-5
- Tandler, Rich. Hokie Games: Virginia Tech Football Game by Game 1945-2006. Game by Game Sports Media (15 September 2007) ISBN 978-0-9723845-2-0
- Air Force Athletic Communication Department. Air Force Media Player 2008 Guide. Colorado Springs, Colo. 2008.
- Virginia Tech Athletic Communications Department. Virginia Media Soccer Media Guide 2008. Blacksburg, Va. 2008.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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