 Virginia Tech received the ball to begin the game, and Shyrone Stith returned the opening kickoff from the end zone to the Tech 44-yard line. On the first play of the game, Tech quarterback Al Clark completed a pass to Angelo Harrison, but Alabama committed a five-yard offsides penalty, setting up the Hokies at their 49-yard line. After the penalty, running back Lamont Pegues ran straight ahead for a gain of four yards then picked up a first down with a short gain on the next play. Clark completed a pass to Harrison at the 43-yard line, then Clark broke free of the Alabama defense on an improvised run, scrambling 43 yards for a touchdown and the game's first points. Kicker Shayne Graham kicked the extra point, and Virginia Tech took a 7 – 0 lead over Alabama with 12: 25 remaining in the first quarter.
