Eleven different bowl representatives were on hand to watch BYU upset undefeated (10-0), fourth-ranked (both polls) Air Force.
The Cougars dug an early hole for themselves in the first three minutes of the game when AFA intercepted a pair of Robbie Bosco passes which resulted in easy touchdowns.
The Falcons' third TD came off a second quarter interception return as well.
Bosco switched his jersey number from 6 to 7 to honor wide receiver Glen Kozlowski.
The BYU offense didn't cash in big until the second half. Return specialist Vai Sikahema was a big catalyst for the Cougars. At the beginning of the second half, Sikahema returned a punt 72 yards for a TD and scored another TD on a 69-yard fourth quarter pass from Bosco.
Cougar injuries sidelined linebacker Ladd Akeo, tight end Trevor Molini and running back Kelly Smith.
The BYU defense was outstanding, stopping the Falcons on 12 offensive thrusts through various stunts.
On the Falcons' final drive, it appeared to be deja vu 1982 when another Cougar pass interception was nullified by a roughing the passer penalty. But safety Rob Ledenko leaped to intercept AFA's last-ditch aftempt to score six yards away from the endzone.
BYU now 9-2 and 5-1 in the WAC, ranked 11th in AP and 13th in UPI.
Source:1986 BYU media guide
