31 15 Mississippi State 0 MVP QB Rob Perez Date 29 December 1991 | 3 7 Season 1991 Network ESPN Attendance 61,497 | |
Champion Air Force Falcons football Location Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee, United States Stadium Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Similar 1941 Orange Bowl, 1980 Sun Bowl, 2014 Liberty Bowl, 1992 Florida Citrus Bowl | ||
The 1991 Liberty Bowl was a college football postseason bowl game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs football and the Air Force Falcons.
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Background
The Falcons finished 3rd in the Western Athletic Conference while the Bulldogs finished tied for 4th in the Southeastern Conference. This was Air Force's second straight Liberty Bowl, and Mississippi State's first bowl appearance since 1981, and first Liberty Bowl since 1963.
Game summary
One yard scoring runs by fullback Jason Jones and Rob Perez gave the Falcons a 14-0 first quarter lead, with Perez's touchdown coming six plays after the kickoff returner fumbled the ball back to the Falcons. Shannon Yates recovered a fumble and ran 35 yards for a touchdown to make it 21-0. Sleepy Robinson threw a touchdown pass to Trenell Edwards to culminate a 76 yard drive with :35 remaining in the half. While the Falcons only scored three points in the third quarter, they controlled the ball for 13:12, though Scott Hufford scored on a 31 yard touchdown run on the 2nd play of the fourth quarter. Michael Davis ran for a touchdown to make it 31-15 with 7:23 remaining, but the Falcons held on to win. Rob Perez ran for 318 yards while only attempting two passes in the entire game. Air Force outgained the Bulldogs in time of possession by 37:34-22:26.
Aftermath
The Falcons finished the season ranked #25. They reached the Liberty Bowl again the following season. The Bulldogs played in the Liberty Bowl again in 2007.