To start the 4th quarter, Harrell hit Robert Johnson to cut the lead to 38–21. To respond, Minnesota drove down to the Tech 31, however, coach Glen Mason decided to go for it on a 4th-and-seven from the 31, and Cupito was subsequently sacked. Tech responded when Harrell ran a QB sneak to cut the score to 38–28. Minnesota then went 3-and-out, followed by a 40-yard punt return by Tech punt returner Danny Amendola. Nine plays after the return, Shannon Woods scored on a 1-yard run to cut the lead to a mere field goal, 38–35. They subsequently failed on the onside kick, and Minnesota recovered. Despite having to use two timeouts, they forced another 3-and-out. However, the punt coupled with a false start left Tech at their own seven, forcing Tech to use their two-minute offense that got them down to the Minnesota 35. From there, Tech kicker Alex Trlica nailed a 52-yard field goal, tying the game as time expired.