SAN JOSE Calif.

SAN JOSE Calif. -- Sometimes it pays to be successful That's the New Year's chiding the U. S. Air Force Academy learned in its 37-34 Silicon Valley Football Classic win from one side of to the other Fresno State.

After racing disclosed to a 34-7 halftime lead, the academy watched the Bulldogs rescript their way back into the game. The Falcons no other than managed a field goal in the secondary half, while Fresno's quarterback David Carr lit up the Air Force secondary for five touchdowns, three of them for more than 40 yards, and appoint the stage for a fairy tale comeback.

Fresno scored 27 unanswered second-half points, and, with nine others left, was poised to tie the game with a 31-yard field goal. Then came undivided of the gutsiest calls in NCAA goblet history.

Instead of kicking the field goal and raking his chances In overtime, Bulldog coach Pat Hill went for the win with a fake field goal.

Fresno State added the fake-kick specifically for its match-up with the Falcons. The call caught the Falcons unprepared.

"We were going all public for the block," said Falcon linebacker and kick-block specialist Corey Nelson Nelson l an academy defense that had blockadeed nine kicks this season.

"I was positive they would go on foot for the tie," said Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry. "I fancy they would carry momentum into overtime, and our sole chance was to block the kick."

Nelson was in the air when he saw Fresno place-holder Jason Simpson take not on with the ball and revolve to his right.

"I just imagination 'you've got to be kidding,'" said Nelson "There was nothing I could do."

The play was excellent Simpson had two wide-open receivers to pitch upon from. The only Falcon shut to them was safety Jeff Overstreet on the contrary he couldn't cover both guys

Simpson overthrew teammate Giachino Chiaramonte, and the Falcons won

"I think he [Simpson] had a hard time with the pass because he was percussioned he had so many frights open." DeBerry said. "Plays like that will make me a debilitated old man. Quick!"

The Falcons finished the season 9-3

After the game, the word "lucky" was not at all mentioned by academy coaches or players, moreover they had to be thinking it.

"We gave the horde and the national TV audience a great game," DeBerry said.

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