3 more Tech players will miss 1st half of bowl

ATLANTA -- Georgia Tech will be without three more players for the first half of Monday night's Independence Bowl against Air Force because they missed a team curfew.

Coach Paul Johnson announced Sunday that starting defensive end Anthony Egbuniwe and reserve defensive backs Louis Young and Michael Peterson won't be allowed to play until the second half.

The Yellow Jackets will be missing four other players for the entire game, including receiver Stephen Hill and safety Mario Edwards. They were declared ineligible for the bowl because of academic problems.


Independence Bowl Preview Capsule

MONDAY

Georgia Tech (6-6) vs. Air Force (8-4), 5 p.m. (ESPN2)

Line: Air Force by 2.

Series Record: Georgia Tech, 3-0

Last Meeting: 1979, Georgia Tech 21-0

WHAT'S AT STAKE

Air Force is trying to knock off an opponent from an automatic-qualifying BCS conference, after nearly upsetting Oklahoma on the road earlier this season. Georgia Tech is trying to finish with a winning record after a disappointing season. The Yellow Jackets have had to deal with numerous issues leading up to Monday's game, including losing four players to academic issues and three more for the first half because of a curfew violation this week.

KEY MATCHUP

Air Force's option offense vs. Georgia Tech's option offense. There's no secret what both teams do: run, run and run some more. Georgia Tech ranks first nationally with 327 yards rushing per game. Air Force is right behind at No. 2, averaging nearly 318 per game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Georgia Tech: RB Anthony Allen has rushed for 1,225 yards and six touchdowns this season. He has to carry a large load for the Yellow Jackets since QB Joshua Nesbitt can't play because of a broken arm.

Air Force: QB Tim Jefferson has rushed for 769 yards and 15 touchdowns, while also passing 1,342 yards and 10 touchdowns.

FACTS & FIGURES

Georgia Tech's streak of 14 consecutive bowl games ranks fourth nationally behind Florida State, Florida and Virginia Tech. But the Yellow Jackets have lost five straight bowl games ... Georgia Tech DE Anthony Egbuniwe, DB Michael Peterson and DB Louis Young were suspended for the first half for missing curfew. Egbuniwe has made 59 tackles this season ... Air Force has averaged 41.6 points in its last three games ... The Falcons are in their third Independence Bowl and first since 1984. They won back-to-back Independence Bowls in 1983 and '84 ... If Air Force rushes for at least 187 yards and two touchdowns, it will set Mountain West records for both season categories. The Falcons have already rushed for 3,815 yards and 40 touchdowns.