The Toledo Rockets entered the game as the champions of the Mid-American Conference as they defeated Miami University on December 2, 2004 in the MAC Championship Game by a score of 35–27. This was Toledo's third trip to the bowl. They also appeared in 2001 and 2002. The Connecticut Huskies qualified for their first ever bowl appearance by finishing 7–4 and had a Big East Conference record of 3–3. Connecticut was invited to the game when the Big Ten could not provide a qualifying team.

The announced attendance of 52,552 was, at the time, a record crowd for the Motor City Bowl. It has since been surpassed by both the 2006 and 2007 games.

Larry Taylor received the opening kickoff for UConn at the eight-yard line and returned the ball 34 yards to the Connecticut 42-yard line. Behind the passing of quarterback Dan Orlovsky and the running of Cornell Brockington, the Huskies moved down the field, earning three first downs. The drive stalled at the Toledo 17-yard line; Matt Nuzie came on to successfully kick a 35-yard field goal. UConn took an early 3–0 lead, with 11:55 left in the first quarter.

Toledo received the ensuing kickoff, but lost yardage on the return and had to start their opening drive from their own eight-yard line. On their first offensive play they promptly earned their first first down of the game, on a 12-yard pass from quarterback Bruce Gradkowski to wide receiver Kenny Higgins. After being stopped for no gain on the next play, running back Trinity Dawson uncorked a 22-yard run on second down to earn Toledo's second first down of the drive. The Rockets were unable to progress further, however, and punted the ball to the Huskies, who likewise were unable to advance. Toledo received the Connecticut punt but could not earn a first down on three plays. On 4th-and-4 on their own 45-yard line, the Rockets faked the punt attempt and attempted to earn a first down, but fumbled the ball; Connecticut's Tyler King recovered. The Huskies made Toledo pay for their mistake. After three plays earned only four yards, UConn went for it on fourth down. Dan Orlovsky connected with wide receiver Jason Williams for 32 yards and a touchdown. After Nuzie kicked the extra-point, the Connecticut lead was extended to 10–0, with 4:36 left in the first quarter.

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