The Toledo Rockets entered the game as the champions of the Mid-American Conference as they defeated Miami University on December 2 , 2004 in the MAC Championship Game by a score of 35 – 27 . This was Toledo 's third trip to the bowl . They also appeared in 2001 and 2002 . The Connecticut Huskies qualified for their first ever bowl appearance by finishing 7 – 4 and had a Big East Conference record of 3 – 3 . Connecticut was invited to the game when the Big Ten could not provide a qualifying team
Big East Conference
Big East Conference (1979–2013)
2004 Motor City Bowl