 The 63rd Orange Bowl , also known as the 1996 Orange Bowl , was a 1996 – 1997 Bowl Alliance game played on December 31 , 1996 between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Virginia Tech Hokies . Virginia Tech , champions of the Big East Conference , came into the game with a 10 – 1 record and # 10 AP ranking , whereas Nebraska , champions of the Big 12 Conference , came in with an 11 – 1 record and # 12 AP ranking . The game was played in the Orange Bowl in Miami , Florida .

## Game summary

### First quarter

* 1st  :