BYU's offense, which had faded during the last half of the season, returned in a big way for the nationally televised game with Air Force. The winner was assured a Freedom Bowl invitation, while the loser got to hibernate for the winter.
Bob Jensen started in place of Steve Lindsley at quarterback to provide the offensive spark. Jensen completed 11 of 20 passes for 258 yards and a touchdown, and he was BYU's second-leading rusher with 87 yards.
The return to the lineup of center Brian Rodoni after a nine-game absence also gave the team an emotional lift.
Defensively, BYU held the Falcons to only 106 yards rushing and 53 yards passing. Linebacker Richard Hobbs was the defensive leader for the Cougars with six unassisted tackles and a sack.
With 55 yards rushing in the game, Lakei Heimuli broke the school career rushing record of 2,663 yards, held previously by Jeff Blanc.
Leonard Chitty's field goals of 43, 39 and 31 yards gave him 16 for the year, breaking the season record of 16, held by Dave Taylor in 1976.
The big difference in the game came in the second quarter when the Air Force quarterback made a bad pitch, which BYU recovered on the Air Force 16 yard line. Four plays later, Heimuli scored on a one-yard run up the middle.
On the ensuing kickoff, Tom Rotello fumbled, and BYU's Scott Peterson recovered at the 30 yard line. Four plays later, Jensen hit Heimuli with an 18-yard scoring pass.
BYU places second in the WAC, while Air Force ends up third. The Cougars head to Anaheim to face UCLA in the Freedom Bowl.
Source:1987 BYU media guide
