The game, telecast on ESPN, pitted the Rutgers Scarlet Knights against the North Carolina State Wolfpack.

The game marked the first ever meeting of the two universities' football programs.

[3] NC State led 17-6 at halftime, but crumbled in the second half after losing starting quarterback Russell Wilson to a knee injury.

This was also the first edition of the bowl game not to feature any current or former members of Conference USA.

The selection of NC State did have a connection to past bowl games in Birmingham as the Wolfpack had competed in the last All-American Bowl, which was also held at Legion Field in 1990.