The 36th edition of the Liberty Bowl, the game featured the Illinois Fighting Illini of the Big Ten Conference and the East Carolina Pirates, a football independent.
Illinois was led by head coach Lou Tepper and quarterback Johnny Johnson, and had lost its final two regular season games.
East Carolina was led by head coach Steve Logan, and had won its final two regular season games.
The Illini took a 14-0 first-quarter lead on Johnny Johnson touchdown passes to Ken Dilger and Jasper Strong.
In the second quarter the Illini added a Chris Richardson field goal and a touchdown reception by Jason Dulick to pull away, 24-0.