Syracuse was in their last season as an Independent and last under MacPherson. They went 0-2-2 against teams ranked, but were still in this game due to being 6–2 in other games. This was their fifth bowl game in six seasons and only Aloha Bowl. Arizona finished 5th in the Pac-10, and were playing their 2nd ever Aloha Bowl and 2nd consecutive bowl game.

Led by a defense that accounted for four sacks and two interceptions, Syracuse also used their offense to carry their team to another bowl win. Marvin Graves scored on SU's first possession after a 6:25 drive on a running touchdown. Terry Richardson caught a touchdown pass from Graves in the second quarter to make it 14–0 at halftime. After a scoreless 3rd quarter, Syracuse sealed the game with a 90-yard drive culminating in a Chris Gedney touchdown catch from Graves. A Graves touchdown run later on was icing on the cake, from a quarterback who went 10 of 19 for 145 yards passing and 45 yards rushing on 11 rushes for 3 total touchdowns.^[1]

Neither team has returned to Hawaii since this game. Syracuse would not lose another bowl game until 1997. Arizona would not win a bowl game until 1994.