Virginia Tech came into the game with an 8–2–1 record that included a lopsided loss to the Temple Owls, who would forfeit the season two years later after using an ineligible player.
N.C. State was led by head coach Dick Sheridan and had a regular-season record of 8–2–1 that included five wins over Atlantic Coast Conference teams.
The bowl executive director at the time was Dick Bestwick, and he encouraged the Chamber to step up its support of the game over what had been provided by the Lions Club.
To form one half of the matchup, the committee selected second-place Atlantic Coast Conference team NC State,[5] which accepted the bowl bid on November 22, 1986, the day of their final regular-season game.
[9] Tech recovered from that season-opening loss by going on a four-game winning streak, defeating Clemson in South Carolina, Syracuse in New York, and East Tennessee State and West Virginia in Blacksburg.
[13] Then, on a trip to Norfolk, Virginia to face the Temple Owls in the Oyster Bowl, Tech fell 29–13 for what appeared to be its second loss of the season.
[13] Following the Temple game, Tech returned to its winning ways, defeating archrival Virginia, Kentucky, Richmond, and Vanderbilt.
Though the Wolfpack won their final two regular-season games (against Duke and 1986 Western Carolina Catamounts football team), the loss to Virginia denied them a share of the ACC championship.
Despite that missed opportunity, NC State finished the season with a winning record and received a bid to the Peach Bowl.
[18] At the time, Dooley was the winningest head coach in Virginia Tech history,[19] but was under investigation for recruiting violations and had settled a breach-of-contract lawsuit against the university for $3.5 million.
[21] On December 23, it was announced that Murray State head coach Frank Beamer would replace Dooley after the Peach Bowl.
[20][24] State quarterback Erik Kramer was the cornerstone of one of those high-powered offenses, passing for 2,092 yards and 14 touchdowns en route to All-ACC honors and being named the ACC's player of the year.
NC State's Mike Cofer was named an Associated Press All-America honorable mention selection[29] after converting 13 of his 17 field goal attempts,[10] while Virginia Tech's Chris Kinzer had been successful throughout the regular season, making 22 of 27 field goal attempts, and breaking the school record for single-season scoring with 93 points.
[33][34] Following Virginia Tech's post-touchdown kickoff, NC State began its second possession of the game at its 24-yard line after a short kick return.
After picking up short yardage on two rushing plays, Tech quarterback Erik Chapman completed a pass to tight end Steve Johnson to give the Hokies a first down at their 48-yard line with just over four minutes to go in the quarter.
Facing fourth down, Tech sent in kicker Chris Kinzer to attempt a 46-yard field goal, which was successfully completed.
The Hokies picked up a first down, but then NC State safety Michael Brooks jumped in front of a Virginia Tech pass, intercepting it at the 50-yard line.
After being stopped for no or little gain on consecutive plays, NC State quarterback Erik Kramer completed a 25-yard touchdown pass to Nasrallah Worthen.
Deep inside the Tech red zone, it took the Wolfpack two more plays before Kramer connected on a pass to tight end Ralph Britt for a touchdown.
When the play was stopped for a loss, however, Virginia Tech was denied points and NC State's offense returned with 47 seconds remaining in the half.
On the first play of the quarter, NC State quarterback Erik Kramer ran the ball, but fumbled at the end of the run.
The first Virginia Tech play of the quarter was a first-down throw to David Everett that drove the Hokies into Wolfpack territory.
[18][39] Because Tech committed a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty following the touchdown, NC State was able to acquire good field position during the kickoff return, starting their drive at their 44-yard line.
Now inside the Tech red zone, Kramer was tackled for a big loss, losing some of the yardage that he had gained with the previous play.
State pushed forward another seven yards, but failed to gain another first down and prepared to punt the ball back to Tech with 3:14 remaining in the game.
On the game's next play, Tech committed a holding penalty, which pushed the Hokies 10 yards further away from the end zone, out of field goal range, with 11 seconds remaining.
[18] This moved the ball to the NC State 23-yard line and forced Tech kicker Chris Kinzer to attempt a potentially game-winning 40-yard field goal with four seconds remaining.
Though NC State coach Dick Sheridan called a timeout in an attempt to ice Chris Kinzer, the kick sailed through the uprights and Virginia Tech won a 25–24 victory as time expired.
On the opposite side of the field, Virginia Tech quarterback Eric Chapman finished with 20 completions out of 30 attempts for two touchdowns and 200 passing yards.
[4][46] Tech kicker Chris Kinzer, who kicked the game-winning field goal, did not go on to play in the National Football League despite predictions that he might do so.