Air Force mascot flies away during bowl

Well, there he goes.

Air Force's 14-7 win over Georgia Tech in the Independence Bowl started with an unusual twist, when the Falcons' mascot — you guessed it, a falcon — flew out of the stadium and didn't return.

The bird's normal routine is to fly a loop around the stands and land back on the waiting falconer's arm. However, Monday night was different as the winged wonder decided to peruse the local Louisiana scenery instead.

“It's not atypical for the birds to lose concentration or panic and fly away. They rely on trainers for food, so they usually come back," an Air Force spokesman said in an interview with Fox News Channel.

With the use of a tracking device, the falcon was found safe and sound a few hours later in downtown Shreveport.