Assistant coach John Cudmore described victory as ``a good feeling, I think, on the part of the coaches and the players. We needed it and we got it.''

Meek expressed particular gratification at the defensive performances of end Happy Nelson and halfback Billy Gannon. Both turned in top jobs for the second straight game.

``Nelson played magnificent football,'' Meek praised. ``He knocked down the interference and made key stops lots of times. And he caused the fumble that set up our touchdown. He broke that boy (Air Force fullback Nick Arshinkoff) in two and knocked him loose from the football.''

Gannon contributed saving plays on the Falcons' aerial thrusts in the late stages.

One was on a fourth down screen pass from the Mustang 21 after an incomplete pass into Gannon's territory.

``As soon as it started to form, Gannon spotted it,'' Meek said. ``He timed it just right and broke through there before the boy (halfback Terry Isaacson) had time to turn around. He really crucified him. He nailed it for a yard loss.''

The Air Force's, and the game's, final play, was a long pass by quarterback Bob McNaughton which Gannon intercepted on his own 44 and returned 22 yards.

``He just lay back there and waited for it,'' Meek said. ``He almost brought it back all the way.''

Except for sophomore center Mike Kelsey and fullback Mike Rice, Meek expects the squad to be physically sound for Rice.