Pitt scored first on a 72-yard touchdown pass from John Turman to Antonio Bryant, taking an early 7–0 lead. Iowa State answered with a 23-yard pass from Sage Rosenfels to Chris Anthony, tying the game at 7, at the end of the 1st quarter.
In the second quarter, Joe Woodley scored on a 1-yard touchdown run for ISU making it 13–7. Ennis Haywood added a 3-yard touchdown run making it 20–7. Sage Rosenfels threw his second touchdown pass of the game, a 9 yarder to Chris Anthony, as Iowa State made it 27–7 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Pitt quarterback Rod Rutherford scored on a 2-yard touchdown run, making it 27–14. John Turman later threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Bryant making it 27–20.
In the fourth quarter, Iowa State's JaMaine Billups scored on a 72-yard punt return, bringing Iowa State to 34–20. Pitt's Nick Lotz kicked a 25-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 34–23. Kevan Barlow scored on a 3-yard touchdown run, but the 2-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the score at 34–29. Iowa State's Carl Gomez kicked a 41-yard field goal to cap the scoring at 37–29.[1]
Sage Rosenfels and Reggie Hayward got the MVPs. This was Iowa State's first bowl victory in school history after four previous losses.
Scoring summary
Scoring Play
Score
1st Quarter
PIT — John Turman 72-yard pass to Antonio Bryant (Nick Lotz kick), 6:39
PIT 7-0
ISU — Sage Rosenfels 23-yard pass to Chris Anthony (Carl Gomez kick), 10:08
TIE 7–7
2nd Quarter
ISU — Joe Woodley 1-yard run (two-point conversion failed), 1:12
ISU 13–7
ISU — Ennis Haywood 3-yard run (Carl Gomez kick), 6:57
ISU 20–7
ISU — Sage Rosenfels 9-yard pass to Chris Anthony (Carl Gomez kick), 11:37
ISU 27–7
3rd Quarter
PIT — Rod Rutherford 2-yard run (Nick Lotz kick), 6:50
ISU 27–14
PIT — John Turman 44-yard pass to Antonio Bryant (Nick Lotz kick failed), 12:55