The Tigers finished second in the Southeastern Conference; they defeated rival Alabama but lost to Mississippi State in Jackson.
Dave Theisen added two field goals to give them a 13–0 lead at halftime; Auburn quarterback Jimmy Sidle ran in from thirteen yards out to make it 13–7 after three quarters.
On fourth down, linebacker John Kirby batted a Tiger pass away, and the Cornhuskers gained their first victory in a major bowl game.
[8][9] Most of the audio from the telecast (featuring Curt Gowdy, Paul Christman, and Jim McKay's commentary) survives, though the video footage is lost.
The broadcast rights transferred to NBC and the kickoff was moved to 8 pm in January 1965, the final game of the network's tripleheader of major bowls (Sugar, Rose, Orange) on New Year's Day.