Virginia scored first on a 52-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Schaub to tight end Heath Miller, to take an early 7–0 lead.
In the second quarter, Pittsburgh got on board with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Rod Rutherford to wide receiver Princell Brockenbrough to tie the game at 7.
Virginia answered with a 1-yard rushing touchdown by running back Wali Lundy to take a 14–7 lead.
Rod Rutherford threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Miree, but the failed extra point left the score at 14–13.
The 2003 Continental Tire Bowl was the only game in the 2003 season in which Pittsburgh wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald did not catch a touchdown pass.