The 1999 Wells Fargo Sun Bowl featured the Oregon Ducks and the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Golden Gophers were making their first bowl appearance since 1986.
Minnesota opened the scoring with an 18-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Billy Cockerham to wide receiver Ron Johnson for a 7âÂÂ0 1st quarter lead. Oregon quarterback Joey Harrington notched the equalizer when he rushed five yards for a touchdown, tying the game at 7.
In the third quarter, Cockerham fired a 38-yard touchdown pass to Arland Bruce for a 13âÂÂ7 Minnesota lead. Harrington scored on a 1- yard quarterback sneak, to give Oregon a 14âÂÂ13 lead. Nathan Villegas kicked a 37-yard field goal to make it 17âÂÂ13. In the fourth quarter, Cockerham again found Ron Johnson for a 7-yard touchdown, and a 20âÂÂ17 lead. Harrington found wide receiver Keenan Howry for a 10-yard touchdown pass and a 24âÂÂ20 lead. Oregon held on and won the game.
The game's three MVP awards (overall, lineman, and special teams) were each awarded to Minnesota players, despite Oregon winning the game, due (at least in part) to media members having to cast their ballots with five minutes left in the game.