The Tigers finished the regular season with a 6–5 overall record, 3–4 in the Big Eight Conference, with upset wins over Notre Dame, Colorado, and Iowa State.
The Sun Devils were champions of the WAC for the fourth straight year, the only conference loss was by two points at Wyoming in late September.
Missouri's Chuck Link caught a touchdown pass from quarterback John Cherry to narrow the lead, but the extra point missed, making it only 28–13.
Tiger halfback Tommy Reamon had 31-yard touchdown run to make the final score 49–35, as ASU won its second straight Fiesta Bowl.
ASU set two records that still stand for most total yards (718) and first downs (33), which helped them win despite four turnovers compared to Missouri's three, which hurt them more.