The Cincinnati Bearcats faced off against the Virginia Tech Hokies in their first-ever NY6 bowl game, playing in the Orange Bowl, which was held at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Bearcats at 11-3 were the No. 12-ranked team in the country, and the Hokies were ranked No. 19.
Cincinnati scored on its opening drive, leading 7-0, but ended up going scoreless for the rest of the game, losing 20-7.
Mardy Gilyard caught 7 passes, 158 yards, and one touchdown but it wasn't enough as Tony Pike threw 4 interceptions on the way to a loss.
This Cincinnati team was young and inexperienced and would return many of their starters from this game, setting them up for a bright future.