The 38th edition of the Liberty Bowl, it matched the Houston Cougars and the Syracuse Orangemen.
This was their fifth bowl game in the decade, and 8th in the past 10 seasons.
The game found two future first rounders and Super Bowl participants: Syracuse's Donovan McNabb and Houston's Antowain Smith.
Although only completing four of ten pass attempts, McNabb rushed for 49 yards and two touchdowns.
Orangemen running back Malcolm Thomas ran for 201 yards and a touchdown earning MVP honors.