Fort Worth will host the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl again for the 2022 season on the campus of Texas Christian University. Amon G. Carter Stadium has hosted the annual bowl game since 2003 with the exception of two years in which the facility received significant upgrades.
The participants this season are Baylor, representing the Big 12, and Air Force, representing the Mountain West Conference.
The game regularly hosts one of the three armed services colleges. The colleges have made 10 total appearances in 18 years, including the first three games, when the game was known as the Fort Worth Bowl.
Air Force has accepted bids to the bowl game five times but has a 1-4 overall record. The Falcons last appeared in the Armed Forces Bowl in 2015 when they lost 55-36 to the California Golden Bears. The Golden Bears were coached by Sonny Dykes, who is now with TCU and has the Horned Frogs headed to face Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl.
Baylor finished fifth overall in the Big 12 with a record of 6-6. The Bears finished the season on a three-game losing streak that saw losses to Texas, Kansas State, and TCU. Following the loss to Texas, Baylor fired the defensive coordinator and the special teams coach.
Air Force employs an option offense that sees the team rarely attempt passes. Falcons quarterback Haaziq Daniels has completed just 36 passes this season and had just 6 touchdown passes. That is just three more total passes than receptions on the season by Baylor’s leading receiver Monaray Baldwin.
While gaining yards through the air is not a strong suit of the Air Force attack, the rushing attack is the stuff of legends.
The Falcons recorded 3,971 yards rushing this season led by running back Brad Roberts with 1,612 yards on 308 carries. The Falcons had another 701 yards from John Lee Eldridge III with Daniels as the team’s third-leading rusher, totaling 614 yards while adding seven touchdowns.
Baylor operates a more balanced attack, throwing on 43.6% of offensive plays. Quarterback Blake Shapen completed 222 passes for 2,602 yards and 16 touchdowns. Shapen had four receivers with more than 300 yards this season led by Baldwin with 565 yards on 33 catches and four touchdowns.
The bulk of scoring for Baylor has been carried by running back Richard Reese, who had 14 rushing touchdowns and nearly crested the 1,000-yard mark.
Lockheed Martin is the primary sponsor of the Armed Forces Bowl and has an agreement in place for naming rights through 2025. The firm has a significant presence in the North Dallas region, with the aeronautics division based in Fort Worth.
The Great American Patriot Award will be presented at halftime to Chris Cassidy in recognition of his service to the country as a Navy Seal and as an astronaut. A live concert by the War Hippies will kick off the event.
Baylor and Air Force will play on December 22, with kickoff set for 6:30 pm CST from Amon G. Carter Stadium on the campus of TCU.
