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 7âÂÂ0 lead. Nick Bazaldua connected on a 30-yard field goal before the end of the first quarter to make the score 7âÂÂ3. In the second quarter, running back Patrick Cobbs scored on a 27-yard touchdown run, to give North Texas a 10âÂÂ7 lead. Cornerback Jeremy Pearl intercepted a Cincinnati pass and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown, to increase the lead to 17âÂÂ7.
In the third quarter, Kevin Galbreath scored on a 35-yard touchdown run to increase the lead to 24âÂÂ7. Johnathan Ruffin connected on two third-quarter field goals to cut the deficit to 24âÂÂ13. Franklin Calicott returned a fumble 43 yards for a touchdown with five minutes left to cut the lead to 24âÂÂ19. That was the final score of the game.