The game was the final contest of the 1968 NCAA University Division football season for both teams, and ended in a 34–17 victory for Mississippi.

Virginia Tech came into the game with a 7–3 record that included a loss to their previous Liberty Bowl opponent, the Miami Hurricanes.

At the end of the first quarter, Virginia Tech added a field goal to the two touchdowns it had already earned, making the score 17–0.

With good field position following the kick, Mississippi quarterback Archie Manning orchestrated a 49-yard drive for the Rebels' first points of the game.

[4] The Ole Miss Rebels, led by head coach Johnny Vaught,[1] earned a regular-season record of 6–3–1 prior to the Liberty Bowl.

The record crowd (it was the largest in the 10-year history of the bowl to that point) consumed 20,000 hot dogs—so many that the stadium ran out by the third quarter.

Despite the excellent field position, Virginia Tech was unable to score after quarterback Al Kincaid was sacked for a 19-yard loss.

Following the field goal, Virginia Tech head coach Jerry Claiborne ordered an onside kick in an effort to gain another chance on offense and potentially build an insurmountable lead.

Virginia Tech still held a 17–14 lead, but Mississippi had the momentum and would receive the ball to begin the second half.

[8] Ole Miss wasted no time in scoring, as Steve Hindman turned the first play of the second half into a 79-yard run for a touchdown.

[11] Ole Miss defender Bob Bailey intercepted a pass at the beginning of the fourth quarter and returned it 70 yards for another Mississippi touchdown.