Iowa was in their eighth week (non consecutive) of being ranked, with one highlight win being over #10 Penn State. Though they finished tied for 2nd in the Big Ten Conference, they were invited to their fifth bowl game in five years. In their first season in the Big 12 Conference following the fall of the Southwest Conference, the Red Raiders finished in 2nd place in the Southern Division, though they were invited to their fourth bowl game in three years.

Iowa opened the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run from quarterback Matt Sherman, opening up a 6–0 lead. In the second quarter, Sedrick Shaw rushed 20 yards for a touchdown. The ensuing two-point conversion attempt was successful, and Iowa built a 14–0 lead. Zach Bromert added field goals of 36 and 26 yards, as Iowa's lead ballooned to 20–0. In the fourth quarter, Rodney Filer scored on a 14-yard touchdown run to finalize the score.

The win was somewhat bittersweet for Iowa, as linebacker Mark Mitchell had lost his mother in a fatal car accident while she drove to San Antonio to attend what would be her son's final collegiate game. Therefore, as a symbolic gesture of mourning, the entire Iowa team stripped their helmets of all markings, the game ball was also given to Mitchell. Sedrick Shaw Shaw rushed 113 yards on 20 carries as the Red Raiders were held scoreless for the first time since 1987.

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