FB: Air Force Tops Georgia Tech as Best Option 
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FacebookSHREVEPORT, La. -- The AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl featured the two best running teams in the nation, and special teams proved to be the unlikely difference.
Air Force cashed in when Georgia Tech muffed a punt in the second half, getting a go-ahead touchdown run from Jared Tew in a 14-7 victory Monday.
Air Force defeated Georgia Tech in the AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl, handing the Yellow Jackets their sixth consecutive bowl loss. Heather Dinich checks in with instant analysis.Blog
Backup kicker Zack Bell converted the first two field-goal attempts of his career before Tew's 3-yard run gave the Falcons (9-4) the lead for good. Air Force's only touchdown came four plays after Daniel McKayhan's second muffed punt of the game.
Georgia Tech's 327 yards rushing per game this season edged Air Force's 317.9 average for the nation's top spot. Both teams use a heavy dose of option, which often catches opponents off guard because it's a relatively rare offense.
But with each defense familiar with the scheme, there were no surprises, and both teams were held under their season rushing average -- Georgia Tech with 279 and Air Force with 170.
Air Force's Tim Jefferson completed 11 of 23 passes for 117 yards. Bell's field goals came from 41 and 42 yards.
Georgia Tech's Tevin Washington rushed for 131 yards and Anthony Allen added 91 as Georgia Tech outgained Air Force 320-287. But the Yellow Jackets committed four turnovers -- including three fumbles.
Joshua Nesbitt, the ACC's career leading rusher for a quarterback, missed the game because of a broken right arm. Top receiver Stephen Hill and starting safety Mario Edwards were among four players declared ineligible because of various academic issues.
On Sunday, the Yellow Jackets announced that three players -- including defensive end Anthony Egbuniwe and defensive backs Michael Peterson and Louis Young -- would miss the first half because of a curfew violation.
Even with all those issues, Georgia Tech probably would have won if not for the turnovers. Instead, the Yellow Jackets dropped their sixth consecutive bowl and posted their first losing season in 14 years.
