2002 New Orleans Bowl

2002 Wyndham New Orleans Bowl
1234 Total
Cincinnati 7066 19
North Texas 31470 24
DateDecember 17, 2002
Season2002
StadiumLouisiana Superdome
LocationNew Orleans, Louisiana
MVPNorth Texas RB Kevin Galbreath
FavoriteCincinnati by 7.5
RefereeJim Knight (ACC)
Attendance19,024[1]
PayoutUS$750,000 per team[2]
United States TV coverage
NetworkESPN2[3]
New Orleans Bowl
 < 2001  2003

The 2002 Wyndham New Orleans Bowl featured the Cincinnati Bearcats and the North Texas Mean Green. It was North Texas' second consecutive New Orleans Bowl appearance.

Quarterback Gino Guidugli got Cincinnati on the board first with a 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tye Keith, to give Cincinnati a 7–0 lead. Nick Bazaldua connected on a 30-yard field goal, before the end of the first quarter to make the score 7–3. In the second quarter, running back Patrick Cobbs scored on a 27-yard touchdown run, to give North Texas a 10–7 lead. Cornerback Jeremy Pearl intercepted a Cincinnati pass and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown, to increase the lead to 17–7.

In the third quarter, Kevin Galbreath scored on a 35-yard touchdown run to increase the lead to 24–7. Johnathan Ruffin connected on two third-quarter field goals to cut the deficit to 24–13. Franklin Calicott returned a fumble 43 yards for a touchdown with five minutes left to cut the lead to 24–19. That was the final score of the game.