Part of the 1993–94 bowl schedule, it was played on New Year's Eve at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Bowl officials subsequently invited Iowa, who had finished eighth in the Big Ten, but won their final four games for a bowl-eligible 6–5 record.

A 61-yard interception return by linebacker Jerrot Willard gave Cal a 23–0 lead at halftime.

In the third quarter, Iowa's Brion Hurley kicked a 42-yard field goal to get the Hawkeyes on the scoreboard at 23–3.

He added a 12-yard touchdown pass to Brian Remington in the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 37–3, the final score.