2012 Russell Athletic Bowl

The 2012 Russell Athletic Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game held on December 28, 2012 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida in the United States. The 23rd edition of the Russell Athletic Bowl began at 5:30 p.m. EST and will air on ESPN. It featured the Virginia Tech Hokies from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) against the Big East Conference co-champion Rutgers Scarlet Knights, and was the final game of the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season for both teams. The Scarlet Knights accepted their invitation after achieving a 9-3 record in the regular season, while the Hokies accepted theirs after achieving a 6-6 record.

This was the first Russell Athletic Bowl for both teams.

Teams

Virginia Tech

See also: 2012 Virginia Tech Hokies football team

A disastrous season by Virginia Tech standards, the Hokies were in danger of being bowl-ineligible for the first time since 1992. However, in their final two games the Hokies defeated their rivals the Boston College Eagles as well as Commonwealth Cup rivals the Virginia Cavaliers, finishing 6-6 and becoming bowl-eligible.

Rutgers

See also: 2012 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team

The Scarlet Knights finished in a four-way tie for the Big East title with a 5-2 conference record (holding the tiebreaker over the Syracuse Orange and Cincinnati Bearcats but behind the Louisville Cardinals. After losing to said Cardinals in their season finale, the Scarlet Knights accepted an invitation to the 2012 Russell Athletic Bowl.

Game summary

While the Virginia Tech offense managed to give up a fumble for a Rutger's touchdown on the second play of the game, they tied the game in the 4th quarter at 10. In overtime, Virginia Tech scored a field goal first. Rutger's attempt to match was a missed 42 yard field goal.

Scoring summary

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Virginia Tech Rutgers 1 14:43 - - - Rutgers Fumble recovery returned 0 yards for touchdown by Khaseem Greene, Nick Borgese kick good 0 7 1 2:38 5 27 1:20 Rutgers 36-yard field goal by Nick Borgese 0 10 4 12:14 6 62 2:35 Virginia Tech 25-yard field goal by Cody Journell 3 10 4 10:56 3 21 0:15 Virginia Tech Corey Fuller 21-yard touchdown reception from Logan Thomas, Cody Journell kick good 10 10 OT - 5 20 - Virginia Tech 22-yard field goal by Cody Journell 13 10 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 13 10

External links

• Official site of the Russell Athletic Bowl