HONOLULU, Hawaii - Blane Morgan threw for 267 yards and two touchdowns as the 11th-ranked Air Force Falcons defeated the Washington Huskies, 45-25, in the first-ever Oahu Bowl Saturday in Honolulu. With the victory, the Falcons finished the season with a 12-1 record, while Washington dropped to a disappointing 6-6, its first non-winning campaign since 1976.
Air Force dominated the game offensively by using long, ball- controlled drives. After the Falcons blocked a Washington field goal attempt, they marched down the field in their opening possession. Scott McKay caught a 23-yard pass from Morgan to give the team excellent field position at the Huskies' 25-yard line. Jamal Singleton capped the 10-play, 72-yard drive when he scored on a 12-yard touchdown run with 6:28 remaining in the first quarter.
Air Force then used an 11-play, 83-yard drive on their second possession to put points on the board. Qualario Brown had a 30-yard catch, setting up a 2-yard touchdown run from Singleton. The drive, which chewed up 4:56, gave the Falcons a 14-0 lead just 30 seconds into the second quarter.
Washington answered back on the following possession, when Andre DeSaussure made a 43-yard diving catch at the Air Force 3-yard line. Braxton Cleman then scampered in from three yards out to finish the quick-hitting 1:52 drive and cut the Falcon lead to 14-7.
Air Force used a bit of trickery to take a 22-7 lead with 2:21 remaining in the first half. The Falcons pulled off a fake punt for a first down inside the Husky 40-yard line. McKay had a 15-yard scoring run on a reverse and Morgan added the two-point conversion for the 15-point advantage.
The Huskies battled back, using only 1:06 to score again. The five-play, 53-yard drive featured a 32-yard catch by Dane Looker and a reception from DeSaussure to place the ball at the goal line. On the next play, Cleman picked up his second touchdown of the game, this one a one-yard plunge, to bring Washington within 22-13 at halftime.
Jackson Witting nailed a 42-yard field goal to give the Falcons a 25-13 lead with 9:02 left in the third quarter.
After Husky quarterback Brock Huard was intercepted on the next series, Air Force running back Spanky Gilliam added a five-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 32-13.
Washington had an opportunity to cut into the lead on its next possession. However, the Huskies were stuffed on a fourth-down conversion at the Falcons' 21-yard line.
Air Force wasted little time, as they went for the jugular on the next play. Morgan connected with wide receiver Matt Farmer on a 79- yard bomb for a score to increase the advantage to 38-13 with just seven seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Washington mounted another scoring drive, capped by backup quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo's seven-yard touchdown run, making the score 38-19 with 12:18 left in the game.
But, the Falcons put the final nail in the coffin when Morgan hooked up with McKay on a 30-yard touchdown pass with 5:42 to play. The 12-play, 78-yard drive used 6:34 of the clock, and gave Air Force a 45-19 advantage.
The Huskies managed to add a late touchdown when Tuiasosopo hit Mijo Austin with an 11-yard scoring pass with four seconds remaining in the contest for the final margin.
Morgan completed 12-of-16 passes and rushed for 50 yards in the win.
Huard threw for 267 yards on 23-of-32 passing in the losing effort. He was also intercepted three times.
Game Notes - Air Force is now 7-7-1 in bowl appearances, while Washington dropped to 14-11-1...The Falcons increased their season series lead over the Huskies to 4-2...Air Force amassed 232 rushing yards...The Falcons' victory ended a three-game bowl losing streak, since knocking off Mississippi State in the 1991 Liberty Bowl.