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.[1]
Aftermath
The two teams would meet up three years later in the Liberty Bowl again.
