Nobody thought that Fiesta Bowl I could be topped, but it took just one year to better the initial outing. Arizona State and Missouri combined to score more points than the first game, and the Sun Devils gained more yards than any other team in bowl history - 718.
The two teams combined to score 84 points with Arizona State coming out on top, 49-35, in front of 51,318 fans.
ASU was unstoppable on offense, as Woody Green ran outside to gain 202 yards rushing and score four touchdowns, and Brent McClanahan ran inside overpowering Missouri defenders to romp for 171 yards. The Sun Devils amassed 452 yards on the ground, far and away a bowl record. ASU quarterback Danny White had another successful Fiesta Bowl, completing 13-of-23 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns. Both TD strikes went to Ed Beverly on 34- and 53-yard connections.
Missouri was not without its heroes. Defensive back Mike Fink, voted the game's top defensive player, ran back a fourth quarter kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown and also picked off a White pass to set up another score. Halfback Tommy Reamon accounted for 155 yards on 17 carries, including the game's final touchdown on a 31-yard jaunt.
Arizona State jumped out to a 28-7 halftime lead, but Missouri came out of the locker room after the break and scored two quick touchdowns to pull within 28-21.
ASU took what looked to be a commanding 35-21 lead on a two-yard scamper by Green. But Fink took the ensuing kickoff 100 yards to keep the Tigers in the game. However, the Sun Devils added two more fourth quarter touchdowns and walked away with a 1972 Fiesta Bowl victory, their second in as many years.
