The 83 combined points is also second-most in Sun Bowl history. UCLA and Northwestern combined to score 88 points in The two teams also combined for 42 fourth-quarter points, the most points scored in any Sun Bowl quarter. The 42 points were also part of 45 scored in the second-half, tying another record. NC State amassed a Sun Bowl record six rushing touchdowns, the first three by Nyheim Hines, all in the first half.
It was his first-ever game with three rushing touchdowns. For his efforts the junior running back was named the C. Hendricks Most Valuable Player. Quarterback Ryan Finley led the Wolfpack through the air after throwing for yards and a touchdown on of passing with no interceptions.
Wideout Stephen Louis had three catches for yards and a Sun Bowl record Unfortunately for the Sun Devils, Wilkins also threw three interceptions. ASU had a total of four turnovers that contributed to its loss, the first coming early in the game. On the second play of the game ASU sophomore Kyle Williams received a pass but then proceeded to fumble the ball while trying to gain extra yards. The ball was recovered by Wolfpack safety Jarius Morehead right at midfield.
Three plays later Finley hit receiver Louis for a yard strike that placed the ball at the Sun Devil 2-yard line. But NC State was not able to punch it in and ended up with zero points after a fake field-goal attempt was unsuccessful. It would be the only possession of the first half, however, that the Wolfpack would not end up with a touchdown as they scored four consecutive touchdowns the rest of the first half.
The first three scores would come on 5-yard runs by Hines. After a quick three-and-out by ASU , Hines ran for his second touchdown of the day less than a minute into the second quarter, a quarter that marked a total of 31 points, a Sun Bowl record for combined points scored in the second quarter. The Sun Devils caught a break during their next possession as a roughing the kicker penalty turned a punt into a first down for ASU inside NC State territory. The Sun Devils took advantage of the Wolfpack mistake by marking their first points of the contest, a yard field goal by Brandon Ruiz midway through the second quarter to cut the lead to The NC State offense kept rolling, however, as Hines scored for the third-straight time to tie a Wolfpack record for rushing touchdowns in a bowl game.
