The 37th edition of the Liberty Bowl, it featured the Stanford Cardinal and the East Carolina Pirates.
Although East Carolina did not reach the end zone on offense—they scored on four field goals and an interception return for a touchdown—that effort, combined with strong defense, was enough to defeat Stanford, 19–13.
On its next possession, Stanford appeared to be driving again, but Butterfield's pass was intercepted by Daren Hart, who raced 39 yards for a touchdown.
Early in the second quarter, Pirate kicker Chad Holcomb kicked a 46-yard field goal.
[4] Early in the second half, Stanford cornerback Kwame Ellis blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown to make the score 16–13 after the missed PAT, but could get no closer as the Pirate defense kept Stanford off-balance all day, holding Butterfield to just 139 passing yards and Bookman to only 46 rushing yards.