Under cloudy skies and cold temperatures, the Virginia Tech Hokies and Cincinnati Bearcats met at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium to play the 2018 Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman. The Virginia Tech Hokies are coming off consecutive victories against the Virginia Cavaliers and Marshal Thundering Herd while Cincinnati has won four of their last five, only losing to the undefeated No. 13 UCF Golden Knights and Temple Owls all season.
The Bearcats won the coin toss and deferred their option to the second half. Ryan Willis and the Virginia Tech offense took to the field right around the time the rain showed up.