After taking a 28–10 lead at the half, NC State defeated Arizona State by a 52–31 final score. Nyheim Hines of NC State was selected as the game MVP.[5] His teammates Kentavius Street and Kyle Bambard were named the most valuable lineman and most valuable special teams player, respectively.[5]
The NC State Wolfpack finished the 2017 regular season with an 8–4 record under Coach Dave Doeren; the most wins Doeren has had at his tenure at NC State to date. The game was the team's first appearance in the Sun Bowl, and their second straight bowl win. Shortly after at the NFL draft, the entire NC State defensive line was selected in the first four rounds along with their running back, Nyheim Hines. Coach Doeren was offered a contract extension which locked in his role for another 6 years shortly after the game.
