The Trojans and Mean Green played together in the Sun Belt from 2004 until 2012, when North Texas joined Conference USA.
It was the Mean Green's first New Orleans Bowl as a representative of Conference USA; their four previous appearances had all been as a Sun Belt member.
Senior RB Josh Anderson scored from a yard out to give Troy a 7–0 lead.
On North Texas' second play from scrimmage, Jamal Stadom sacked QB Mason Fine and forced a fumble which Troy recovered at the 14-yard line.
Troy went for a two-point conversion, and Silvers found John Johnson in the back of the end zone for a 15–0 lead.