The 1983 Fiesta Bowl featured the awesome option attack of Oklahoma pitted against the strong Arizona State defense and passing game. Played on a picture perfect day in front of 70,553 enthusiastic fans, Arizona State was able to pull away in the fourth quarter and defeat Oklahoma, 32-21, despite an incredible performance by Sooner running back Marcus Dupree.
Dupree, just a freshman, rushed for a Fiesta Bowl record 239 yards on 17 carries before leaving the game with a pulled hamstring in the third quarter. He left the game three times because of rib and thigh injuries before his final departure.
Arizona State wasn't feeling any sympathy, however, as it rallied from a 21-18 deficit after three quarters to post the victory.
The Sun Devils took the lead on the second play of the fourth quarter on a one-yard dive by Alvin Moore. Arizona State capped the scoring on a six-play drive that resulted in a 52-yard pass from Todd Hons to Ron Brown. The Sun Devils then held on defense to earn their fifth Fiesta Bowl trophy.
The game was nip-and-tuck for the first 30 minutes as both teams played nervously. Oklahoma looked as if it would take a 13-8 lead into the locker room, but ASU's Luis Zendejas drilled a Fiesta Bowl record 54-yard field goal as time expired ending the first half.
The Sun Devils used the momentum of the long field goal to their advantage, taking an 18-13 lead on a 15-yard scamper by Darryl Clack.
Oklahoma didn't waste any time regaining the lead, scoring on a 19-yard run by Fred Sims just over a minute after the ASU touchdown. Sooner quarterback Kelly Phelps hit Johnny Fontenette for the two-point conversion to give Oklahoma a 21-18 lead.
Dupree was named the Offensive Player of the Game, while Arizona State's Jim Jeffcoat earned Defensive Player of the Game honors.
