The 1989 Liberty Bowl was a college football postseason bowl game played on December 28, 1989, in Memphis, Tennessee. The 31st edition of the Liberty Bowl was contested between the Ole Miss Rebels and the Air Force Falcons.
Background The Rebels finished tied for 4th position in the Southeastern Conference while the Falcons finished 2nd in the Western Athletic Conference. This was the first year in which the winner of the Commander in Chief's Trophy received an automatic bid to the Liberty Bowl. The two teams had matched up before in 1983. Chucky Mullins (who had been paralyzed in a game just two months ago) visited the Ole Miss locker room prior to the game in his first visit outside the hospital prior to his injury.
Game summary
First quarter Ole Miss – Hines 32 pass from Darnell (Hogue PAT), 3:53 remaining Air Force – Wood 37 FG, 11:16 remaining Ole Miss – Baldwin 23 run (Hogue PAT), 9:18 remaining Air Force – Dowis 2 run (pass failed), 3:19 remaining
Second quarter Ole Miss – Baldwin 21 run (Hogue PAT), 10:20 remaining Ole Miss – Coleman 58 punt return (Hogue kick), 1:21 remaining
Third quarter Air Force – Johnson 3 run (run failed), 12:50 remaining Ole Miss – Coleman 11 run (Hogue PAT), 0:26 remaining
Fourth quarter Ole Miss – Thigpen 8 pass from Shows (Hogue PAT), 10:44 remaining Air Force – Senn 35 pass from McDowell (pass failed), 9:02 remaining Air Force – Senn 21 pass from McDowell (Durham run), 2:34 remaining
Randy Baldwin rushed for 177 yards on 14 carries with two touchdowns, and John Darnell passed for 19-of-33 for 261 yards and a touchdown.
Aftermath The two teams would meet up three years later in the Liberty Bowl again.
Statistics Statistics Ole Miss Air ForceFirst downs 30 25Rushing yards 248 259Passing yards 285 233Total yards 533 513Passing C-A-I 21–37–0 14–24–2Punts–average 5–38.2 4–43.3Fumbles–lost 2–2 3–2Penalties–yards 7–45 2–12
References