This 68th edition to the Sugar Bowl featured the Illinois Fighting Illini, and the LSU Tigers.
Illinois won the Big Ten title and earn a BCS berth as their conference's champion.
LSU defeated Tennessee in the 2001 SEC Championship Game to earn a berth in the Sugar Bowl as their conference's champion.
Quarterback Rohan Davey found wide receiver Josh Reed in the end zone for a 28–0 lead.
Davey would graduate and Reed would forgo his senior season to play in the NFL at Buffalo.