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 aired 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 . This was the fifteenth meeting between these two teams . Virginia Tech leads the all - time record 12 - 3 . The last time they played was in 2003 . Virginia Tech . 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 . 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 . First half . Rutgers scored 17 seconds into the game after Virginia Tech center Caleb Farris snapped the ball past Hokies quarterback Logan Thomas into the end zone . Thomas attempted to pick the fumbled ball up in the end zone , but lost the ball as he was tackled . Rutgers linebacker Khaseem Greene recovered the ball for a the touchdown to give Rutgers a 7 - 0 lead . The Scarlet Knights took a 10 - 0 lead later in the first quarter on a 36 - yard field goal from Nick Borgese . In the second quarter , the Hokies failed to cross midfield , while Rutgers drove into Virginia Tech territory twice . Rutgers was unable to score , however , turning the ball on downs on its first drive into Hokies territory and punting on its second trip . The Scarlet Knights took a 10 - 0 lead going into halftime . Second half . The third quarter remained scoreless , as the two teams exchanged punts . In the fourth quarter , the Scarlet Knights were unable to extend their lead after Rutgers placekicker Nick Borgese missed a 47 - yard field goal . Helped by two long passed from Hokies quarterback Logan Thomas , the Hokies were able to drive to Rutgers ' 8 - yard line . However , the Hokies were unable to get a touchdown and settled for a 25 - yard field to make the score 10 - 3 . On the ensuing drive , Rutgers quarterback Gary Nova was intercepted by Virginia Tech ' s Antone Exum . Exum returned the interception 32 yards to Rutgers 21 - yard line . Taking advantage of the good field position , the Hokies tied the game 10 - 10 on a 21 - yard touchdown pass from Logan Thomas to Corey Fuller . Virginia Tech had a couple more attempts in the fourth quarter to win the game in regulation . The Hokies recovered a fumble at Rutgers ' 29 - yard line , but were forced to punt after committing penalties . After getting the ball back , the Hokies once again drove into Rutgers ' territory , but were unable to get any points after missing a 51 - yard field goal . The score remained tied 10 - 10 going into overtime . Virginia Tech received possession first in overtime . The Hokies were able to get to Rutgers ' 3 - yard line thanks to a 19 - yard pass from Logan Thomas to Marcus Davis . Virginia Tech was unable to score a touchdown , however , and had to settle for a 22 - yard field goal to go up 13 - 10 . The Scarlet Knights attempted to force a second overtime on a 42 - yard field goal attempt from Nick Borgese . Borgese ' s kick missed , however , sealing the victory for Virginia Tech . Notes and records . A 2012 Russell Athletic Bowl featured a record 20 combined punts and a record low 23 combined points . The bowl victory for the Hokies also marked Virginia Tech ' s 12th consecutive victory over Rutgers and gave the Hokies ' its 21st consecutive winning season .