The game pitted the Fresno State Bulldogs and the Western Michigan Broncos.
The Broncos started the season with a non-conference win over Wisconsin, and they promptly won the next four games (including three conference games) before a loss to Kent State.
It was their only conference loss (though they did lose to independent and future MAC member Northern Illinois), closing out the season with a 23–16 win over Ohio.
Darrell Rosette rushed for 149 yards as the Bulldogs scored 21 points in the third quarter to outplay the Broncos.
Fresno State won the conference the following year and faced off in the California Bowl, winning once again.