Calvillo, a senior who finished the 1993 NCAA season ranked ninth nationally in total offense, completed 25 of 39 passes for 286 yards and three touchdowns and was named the game's Most Valuable Player.
In the second half, however, Ball State scored 33 points to close the half-time gap.
In the fourth quarter, Neu threw a touchdown pass to Mike Oliver to close the score to 42–33 for Utah State.
After that score, however, Utah State was successful in running out the remaining time on the clock to secure the victory.
While Ball State came into the 1993 Las Vegas Bowl as a predominantly running team, only 73 of its total 312 yards came on the ground.