Air Force blasts Baylor 30-15 in frigid Armed Forces Bowl

Leading 9-7 at halftime, Air Force scored touchdowns on three of its first four second-half possessions as the Falcons defeated Baylor, 30-15, Thursday in the 20th annual Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl at Amon G. Carter Stadium in sub-freezing temperatures.

The win marked the first time the Falcons (10-3) defeated Baylor in four attempts. The Air Force’s last win in the Armed Forces Bowl came in 2008 with a 47-20 victory over Houston. The Falcons are now 15-13-1 in bowl games and 2-4 in the Armed Forces Bowl.

Quarterback Haaziq Daniels, who was honored as Air Force’s Most Outstanding Player, made the Falcons’ offense go Thursday night. Daniels contributed a 15-yard touchdown pass to Caleb Rillos and a two-yard score. Daniels threw for 103 and carried 15 times for 81 yards.

“Our coaches did a great job of calling the right plays tonight and we executed them well,” he said afterward.

Fullback Brad Roberts also had a big for the Falcons. Roberts scored on a pair of one-yard runs and finished with 116 yards on 37 attempts.

Air Force’s current senior class has reached the 10-win plateau three times.

“I thought we played really complete football in all phases,” Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said. “We encountered a good team in Baylor, but I can’t say enough about our guys about the will and fight, the dedication. It is what you want for your seniors to graduate in May from the Air Force Academy.”

Baylor (6-7) closed to within 9-7 with five seconds to play in the first quarter thanks to an eight-yard touchdown pass from Blake Shapen to Hal Presley. Late in the game, Shapen hit Gavin Holmes for a 14-yard touchdown. Shapen threw for 188 yards and pair of scores.

But Air Force answered Baylor’s challenge with 21 points to take a 30-7 lead in the fourth quarter.

“I’m disappointed with the outcome tonight,” Baylor coach Dave Aranda said. “There is a lot to be learned for our returners and younger people. A lot to look at and try to emulate as well. The fight that we just mentioned, the showing up under tough circumstances and never backing down, and putting yourselves out there. Those are things we can build on.”

Bears’ defensive lineman Dillon Doyle was honored as Baylor’s Most Outstanding Player of the Game. The senior registered 10 tackles including eight solo stops.

“Daniels and Roberts made their offense run,” Doyle said. “We saw that on film. Looking back you always see the things you could have done better.”

The Bears lost their final four games of the season and are 14-13 in bowl games and 6-6 in bowl games played in Texas. This was Baylor’s first appearance in the Armed Forces Bowl.

This story was originally published December 22, 2022 at 9:55 PM.