<p>Air Force is in a bowl game, it just doesnt know where it will go yet. And the Falcons popularity might keep them from going to the bowl they might prefer.</p>
<p>Athletic director Hans Mueh said his personal choice would be the Military Bowl, which is played near Washington, D.C. on Dec. 28. The Military Bowl has an opening because Navy is ineligible, and Air Force seems like a perfect fit. The school would benefit from exposure on the East Coast, Falcons fans appear excited about the possibility and the bowl knows it would do well selling tickets.</p>
<p>But Air Force is also a nice option for bowls that have priority over the Military Bowl, which could put the Falcons back in a familiar bowl destination.</p>
<p>The Independence Bowl committee will meet Monday afternoon to formulate a plan for bowl selection, and Air Force will likely be high on its list. The Independence Bowl, which has the third pick among Mountain West affiliated bowls, chose the Falcons last year. Air Force beat Georgia Tech and sold 12,098 tickets, a pretty good amount.</p>
<p>In any given year Air Force is eligible, theyre going to be very appealing to us, Independence Bowl executive director Missy Setters said Sunday.</p>
<p>Mountain West Conference commissioner Craig Thompson has been in contact with representatives from Air Force and the Military Bowl this week about the possibility of the Falcons playing in that bowl game.</p>
<p>A conference spokesman confirmed that Thompson has been in discussions with both sides, and Air Force going to the Military Bowl remains “one of several options.” The Mountain West has five eligible teams, and four bowl tie-ins.</p>
<p>Falcons athletic director Hans Mueh, who had lunch with Thompson on Tuesday, stated his personal preference is the Military Bowl. That bowl, held Dec. 28 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., needs a replacement after Navy wasn’t bowl eligible. Air Force would seem like a perfect fit for the bowl, which has numerous events and ceremonies during bowl week that honor the military.</p>
<p>Military Bowl executive director Steve Beck said the bowl is “waiting to see” if Air Force will be allowed to participate in that game. To be available to the Military Bowl, all four Mountain West Bowls would have to pass on Air Force. Representatives from the Independence and New Mexico bowls, which have the third and fourth picks among Mountain West-affiliated bowls, have said the Falcons are an attractive option.</p>
<p>The Military Bowl feels the same way.</p>
<p>“We’d love to have them,” Beck said. “Patriotism is a big part of our game. That gives us an added feature with a military academy.”</p>
<p>The Independence Bowl remains a likely option for Air Force because the Falcons sold more than 12,000 tickets last year and the bowl is not against having Air Force back for a repeat visit.</p>
<p>Air Force headed to Mililtary Bowl
December 04, 2011
FRANK SCHWAB</p>
<p>Air Force will play Toledo in the Mililtary Bowl.</p>
<p>A source who did not want his name used because the schools hadn’t announced the matchup confirmed the matchup on Sunday evening.</p>
<p>The Military Bowl had a spot open because Navy was not bowl eligible. The Military Bowl is not affiliated with the Mountain West, but the bowl had been in contact with MW commissioner Craig Thompson about hosting the Falcons. Air Force will play high-scoring Toledo on Dec. 28 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.</p>
<p>Air Force became bowl eligible by winning its final two games of the regular season. The Falcons finished the season 7-5.</p>
<p>This year will be the Falcons’ fifth straight bowl appearance, a school record, and Air Force will be going for its third straight win. Air Force beat Georgia Tech in the Independence Bowl last season.</p>
<p>AIR FORCE ACADEMY TO FACE UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO IN 2011 MILITARY BOWL ON DECEMBER 28 AT RFK STADIUM</p>
<p>December 5, 2011 </p>
<p>Falcons To Host the Rockets in Nationally Televised Game on ESPN</p>
<p>Washington, D.C. The DC Bowl Committee today announced that the Military Bowl, presented by Northrop Grumman and benefitting the USO, will include a United States service academy as the Air Force Falcons (7-5) from the Mountain West Conference (MWC) have accepted an invitation to play at RFK Stadium on December 28 in Washington, D.C. Air Force will host the Toledo Rockets (8-4) from the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in a match-up that will air live on ESPN at 4:30 p.m. EST.</p>
<p>This is a tremendous matchup for the Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman, said Steve Beck, president and executive director of the bowl. The game is all about the men and women of our military and raising support and awareness for the USO, so having a military academy represented in the Air Force Academy versus an exciting, high-scoring Toledo Rockets team is great for our game. We look forward to hosting both teams and their dedicated fans throughout bowl week here in the nations capital.</p>
<p>The 2011 season has been a record-setting one for Air Force, as the school is making its fifth straight bowl appearance for the first time in school history. In a game that celebrates the dedication and sacrifice of military personnel, Air Force will enter the 2011 Military Bowl as holders of the Commander-in-Chiefs Trophy for a second consecutive season.</p>