1999 Sun Bowl


The 1999 Wells Fargo Sun Bowl featured the 1999 [Oregon Ducks football team|Oregon Ducks] and the 1999 [Minnesota Golden Gophers football team|Minnesota Golden Gophers]. The Golden Gophers were making their first bowl appearance since 1986.

Game summary

  • Minnesota – Johnson 1 yard touchdown pass from Cockerham, 3:52
  • Oregon – Harrington 5 yard touchdown run, 1:11
  • Minnesota – Bruce 38 yard touchdown pass from Cockerham, 12:42
  • Oregon – Harrington 1 yard touchdown run, 8:04
  • Oregon – Villegas 37 yard field goal, 3:11
  • Minnesota – Johnson 7 yard touchdown pass from Cockerham, 14:56
  • Oregon – Howry 1 yard touchdown run
Minnesota opened the scoring with an 18-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Billy Cockerham to wide receiver Ron Johnson for a 7–0 1st quarter lead. Oregon quarterback Joey Harrington notched the equalizer when he rushed five yards for a touchdown, tying the game at 7.
In the third quarter, Cockerham fired a 38-yard touchdown pass to Arland Bruce for a 13–7 Minnesota lead. Harrington scored on a 1- yard quarterback sneak, to give Oregon a 14–13 lead. Nathan Villegas kicked a 37-yard field goal to make it 17–13. In the fourth quarter, Cockerham again found Ron Johnson for a 7-yard touchdown, and a 20–17 lead. Harrington found wide receiver Keenan Howry for a 10-yard touchdown pass and a 24–20 lead. Oregon held on and won the game.
The game's three MVP awards were each awarded to Minnesota players, despite Oregon winning the game, due to media members having to cast their ballots with five minutes left in the game.