The game featured the Navy Midshipmen against the San Diego State Aztecs of the Mountain West Conference. This was the fourth overall meeting between these two teams, with San Diego State leading the series 3–0. It will be a rematch of the 2010 Poinsettia Bowl, which saw the Aztecs defeat the Midshipmen by a score of 35–14.
Navy Midshipmen
On May 6, 2014, organizers announced that they had reached a deal with Navy to play in the Poinsettia Bowl in 2014. After defeating the South Alabama Jaguars for their sixth win of the season on November 28, bowl director Bruce Binkowski extended an invitation to play in the game. This was Navy's fourth Poinsettia Bowl, giving them the most appearances in the game's history. In addition to the aforementioned 2010 game, the Midshipmen also appeared in the inaugural 2005 game where they defeated Colorado State 51–30 as well as the 2007 game where they lost to Utah 35–32. It will also be the Midshipmen's final game as an FBS Independent team before they join the American Athletic Conference as a football-only member for the 2015 season. After the game, Navy became the third team to win a bowl game for the 2014 season after trailing in the 4th quarter. The Midshipmen entered the night 0-5 after trailing in the 4th quarter this season and hadn't won such a game since November 22, 2013 at San Jose State. It marked the Midshipmen's 2nd straight bowl game win; second time in school history, making it they're 4th consecutive win this season.
San Diego State Aztecs
After finishing the regular season with a 7–5 record, the Aztecs accepted their invitation to play in the game. This was San Diego State's third Poinsettia Bowl; in addition to the aforementioned 2010 game, they also appeared in the 2012 game, losing to the BYU Cougars by a score of 23–6.
After the game coverage officially ended, it was announced on ESPN that Navy Midshipmen fullback, Chris Swain, #37 was chosen as the 2014 Poinsettia Bowl's "player of the game" with a team leading 8 rushes for 72 yards. Poinsettia Bowl game trophies were awarded after the game: the "most valuable defensive player of the game" went to senior linebacker Jordan Drake, #13. The "most valuable offensive player of the game" was awarded to junior quarterback Keenan Reynolds, #19 who was 3 for 7 passing for 17 yards and 19 yards rushing with 2 touchdowns.
