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Boise, Idaho • Western Michigan couldn't cap its turnaround season with its first bowl victory in school history.
Air Force beat the Broncos 38-24 on Saturday night in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, dropping them to 0-6 in bowl games. Western Michigan was 8-5 this season after going 1-11 last year.
"This group accomplished an awful lot," Western Michigan coach P.J. Fleck said. "I'm proud of this football team. We had the greatest turnaround in MAC history, but we're still not there yet. Air Force knows how to win and deserves a ton of credit."
Western Michigan, which used the motto "Row The Boat" all season, was in the right place for that motto Saturday.
Playing in a driving rainstorm on a waterlogged blue field, the Broncos tried to row themselves back into the game after falling behind 23-10 after three quarters.
Pinned at their own 8, Western Michigan embarked on a nine play, 92-yard drive that was capped by the second of three touchdown passes from Zach Terrell to Corey Davis. The 35-yard hookup made it 23-17 with 13:26 to play.
After holding the Falcons, Western Michigan's Daniel Braverman returned a punt for a touchdown and appeared to pull his team even. The play was called back because of an illegal block in the back.
"It was a penalty," Fleck said. "We didn't need the block. You're not going to beat a team like that making that many mistakes."
Western Michigan moved into Air Force territory, but the comeback ended quickly. Terrell was hit while scrambling by Falcon linebacker Shane Proctor and fumbled. Air Force defensive back Dexter White scooped up the loose ball and returned it 60 yards for the clinching touchdown.
"That was big," Air Force linebacker Jordan Pierce said. "I'm proud of our defense. That touchdown really turned the game in our favor — that's all she wrote."
Terrell said he was looking for Taylor when he started to scramble.
"I didn't realize someone was behind me," Terrell said. "The ball is our program. I can't let that happen. I have to have a vice grip on the ball and can't let it get out."
Fleck agreed that play was a back-breaker.
"That's a 14-point swing in about 35 seconds," Fleck said. "We've got to learn from that and find ways to win. That's how quick a football game can change."
Davis finished with 8 catches for 176 yards and three touchdowns to earn the Most Valuable Player honors for his team.