The 1998 Holiday Bowl was a college football bowl game played December 30, 1998 in San Diego, California. It was part of the 1998 NCAA Division I-A football season. It featured the Arizona Wildcats, and the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

1998 Culligan Holiday Bowl
1234 Total
Arizona 63014 23
Nebraska 01307 20
DateDecember 30, 1998
Season1998
StadiumQualcomm Stadium
LocationSan Diego, California
MVPOffensive: Keith Smith, Arizona
Defensive: Mike Rucker, Nebraska
RefereeRogers Redding (SEC)
Halftime showMarching bands
Attendance65,354[1]
PayoutUS$1,800,968 per team[1]
United States TV coverage
NetworkESPN
AnnouncersMike Tirico (Play by Play)
Todd Blackledge (Analyst)
Dr. Jerry Punch (Sideline)
Holiday Bowl
 < 1997  1999

Game summary

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Arizona scored the first points of the game with a 38-yard field goal from Mark McDonald opening up a 3–0 lead. They increased that to 6–0, following a 25-yard McDonald field goal, to close the first quarter scoring. In the third quarter, McDonald added his third field goal of the game, a 48-yarder, giving Arizona a 9–0 lead. Nebraska got on the board following a 25-yard field goal from Kris Brown, making it 9–3.

Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Shevin Wiggins to give Nebraska a 10-9 second quarter lead. Kris Brown added a 23-yard field goal before halftime to give Nebraska a 13-9 halftime lead.

After a third quarter, Arizona quarterback Keith Smith threw a 16-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Brad Brennan, and Arizona reclaimed a 16–13 lead. Eric Crouch threw his second touchdown pass of the game, to tight end Tracey Wistrom and Nebraska claimed a 20–16 lead. Running back Kelvin Eafon scored on a 1-yard touchdown run for Arizona, and Arizona got the final 23-20 margin of victory.[2]

Aftermath

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Nebraska continued their bowl streak, while Arizona did not return to a bowl game again until 2008. The following year, Arizona and Nebraska would have a rematch against each other in the Holiday Bowl.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Holiday Bowl History". Archived from the original on April 30, 2008. Retrieved April 23, 2008.
  2. ^ "Postseason drought baffles Wildcat stars of 1998 Holiday Bowl - Tucson Citizen Morgue, Part 1 (2006-2009)".