{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Use American English|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox college football game | name = | year_game_played = 2002 | title_sponsor = | game_name = New Orleans Bowl | football_season = 2002 | visitor_name_short = Cincinnati | visitor_nickname = Bearcats | visitor_school = University of Cincinnati | home_name_short = North Texas | home_nickname = Mean Green | home_school = University of North Texas | visitor_record = 7–6 | visitor_conference = C-USA | home_record = 7–5 | home_conference = Sun Belt | visitor_coach = Rick Minter | home_coach = Darrell Dickey | visitor_1q = 7 | visitor_2q = 0 | visitor_3q = 6 | visitor_4q = 6 | home_1q = 3 | home_2q = 14 | home_3q = 7 | home_4q = 0 | date_game_played = December 17 | stadium = Louisiana Superdome | city = New Orleans, Louisiana | MVP = North Texas RB Kevin Galbreath | odds = Cincinnati by 7.5 | referee = Jim Knight (ACC) | attendance = 19,024<ref>[http://neworleansbowl.com/2007/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=36 NewOrleansBowl.com - History<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> | payout = 750,000 per team<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20021221050722/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/2002/bowls/bowl_sked/ sportsillustrated.cnn.com] </ref> | us_network = ESPN2<ref>[http://football.about.com/library/weekly/bl_2002bowlsched.htm 2002-03 College Bowl Results<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> | us_announcers = Pam Ward, Chris Spielman, Rob Stone }}
The '''2002 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.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.usatoday.com/sports/scores102/102351/20021217NCAAFNORTHTEXAS0.htm USA Today Game Summary]
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New Orleans Bowl Category:New Orleans Bowl Category:Cincinnati Bearcats football bowl games Category:North Texas Mean Green football bowl games New Orleans Bowl Category:December 2002 sports events in the United States Category:2000s in New Orleans
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