Wyoming placekicker Greg Worker kicked field goals of 43 and 38 yards as the Cowboys jumped out to an early 6–0 lead. Quarterback Craig Burnett found James Loving for a 15-yard touchdown, and Wyoming doubled its lead to 12–0 at the end of 1 quarter. In the second quarter, Iowa blocked a punt and ran it back 10 yards for a touchdown, making it 12–7 Wyoming. Wyoming's Gerald Abraham scored on a 3-yard rushing touchdown, to give Wyoming a 19–7 halftime lead.
In the fourth quarter, Iowa's Wright intercepted a Wyoming pass, and returned it 33 yards for a touchdown, cutting the margin to 19–14. David Hudson scored on a 1-yard touchdown run, capping an 86-yard drive. The two-point conversion attempt failed, but Iowa still had a 20–19 lead. They were able to hold on for the win.