2 in terms of rushing defense, due to the efforts of Tech defender Bruce Smith, an All-American and Outland Trophy winner who would later go on to be the first-overall selection in the 1985 NFL draft.
Facing the Hokies were the Falcons of the United States Air Force Academy, who had gone 7–4 during the regular season, including a 4–3 record in the Western Athletic Conference.
Air Force scored first with a 35-yard field goal, but the Hokies struck back with a touchdown off a 10-play, 72-yard drive, putting Virginia Tech ahead 7–3.
The United States Air Force Academy Falcons began the 1984 college football season with a new head coach, Fisher DeBerry, who replaced the successful Ken Hatfield.
Air Force lost its next two games (at Utah and Wyoming) before defeating Colorado State, Navy, and traditional football powerhouse Notre Dame.
[5] Tech began the 1984 season with a win against Wake Forest, but followed that by a loss against West Virginia in one of the most contentious college football rivalries in the country at that time.
Tech's fortunes took a turn for the better during the latter portion of the season, however, as the Hokies proceeded to win six of their final seven games before earning a bid to the 1984 Independence Bowl.
[11] Cox's favorite target was tight end Joe Jones, who caught 39 passes for 452 yards and one touchdown during the season.
[16] The most important player on that defense was Tech lineman Bruce Smith, who accumulated 52 tackles and 16 sacks during the regular season.
[17] On December 6, Smith received the Outland Trophy, an award given to the top interior defensive lineman as voted by American sportswriters.
[19] In the spring of 1983, Virginia Tech was placed on probation by the NCAA for violations stemming from illegal benefits given to players and potential recruits.
Only when Smith filed suit to force Virginia Tech and the NCAA to allow him to play in the game was the situation revealed.
Dr. Cecil Lloyd, chairman of the Independence Bowl, announced at the time of the lawsuit that had he known about the restrictions on Smith, he likely would not have invited Tech to play in the game.
The game was televised in the United States on ESPN, and Howard David, Paul Maguire, and Steve Grad were the broadcasters.
The Falcons began the game with three consecutive short rushes that failed to gain a first down and punted the ball away to Virginia Tech.
[25] Following Air Force's post-score kickoff and a short return by the Hokies, Virginia Tech's offense began a drive at its 28-yard line.
On the first play after the punt, Tech's Nigel Bowe fumbled the ball, which was leapt upon by several Air Force defenders, who recovered it.
As Cox attempted to throw a pass into the end zone in an effort to get a touchdown before time expired, Air Force's Mike Chandler intercepted the ball, denying the Hokies a scoring chance.
[28] The Falcons had trouble moving the ball at first, but were helped by a 15-yard personal foul penalty against Virginia Tech that gave them a first down.
During the Falcons' attempt to gain those inches, however, Tech's Bruce Smith broke through the Air Force offensive line and sacked Bart Weiss for a loss.
Tech's Eddie Hunter moved the ball forward on three consecutive rushes, earning a first down and driving into Air Force territory.
The pass was intercepted by Air Force defender Scott Thomas, and the Falcons took over on offense at their 38-yard line with 12:58 remaining in the game.
Rather than kick a field goal, Fisher DeBerry elected to attempt the touchdown, and Mike Brown ran the needed two yards.
Mike Cox completed a seven-yard pass, then Maurice Williams broke free for a 15-yard rush that gave Tech a first down and drove the Hokies to the 42-yard line.
Air Force recovered the loose football, and the Falcons' offense returned to the field with just over four minutes left to play.
[15] Daniels had a game-leading 15 tackles,[31] tying a Tech bowl-game record set by Ashley Lee in the 1981 Peach Bowl.
[24] Bruce Smith finished the game with a single sack and eight tackles,[15] and cited his poor performance on the time spent away from practice and in court.
[20] Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry said he thought the storm of pre-game publicity about Smith helped his team.
Despite the uncomplimentary media coverage given him and his poor performance during the Independence Bowl, Bruce Smith was selected with the first overall pick in the 1985 NFL draft.
[34] During the 1985 college football season, Virginia Tech struggled to rebuild from losing 20 starters (10 on offense, 10 on defense) from the 1984 team, and finished with a 6–5 record.