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Pitt Upsets Virginia Tech, 35-33, in Thrilling Finish
Confirmed
In Short: Pittsburgh upset Virginia Tech, 35-33, in a thrilling finish Friday night when Hokies kicker John Love missed a 36-yard field goal attempt on the final play.
The dramatic finish capped a see-saw affair, as Pitt survived the loss of starting quarterback Mason Heintschel while improving to 5-0 (2-0 ACC).
Taking down Virginia Tech put Pitt on an inside track for an appearance in the ACC Championship Game.
All that stands between Pitt and a 7-0 record for that showdown is a home game against North Carolina next week and a trip to lowly Boston College on Oct.
Virginia Tech (4-1, 1-1) led 24-14 until a deluge of turnovers helped Pitt gain control.
Pitt sophomore Mason Heintschel entered third in the ACC in passing yards, second in touchdowns and fourth in passer rating.
Virginia Tech quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer committed three turnovers while shouldering an outsized portion of Virginia Tech's offensive load with 434 yards passing.
The Hokies controlled much of the first half, but started unraveling when Cameron Lindsey's interception of Ethan Grunkemeyer led to a 22-yard touchdown pass from Heintschel to Cataurus Hicks with 31 seconds left in the half, cutting the Virginia Tech lead to 24-21.
The road victory was the first of the year for Pitt away from Acrisure Stadium.
Background
Pittsburgh upset Virginia Tech, 35-33, in a thrilling finish Friday night when Hokies kicker John Love missed a 36-yard field goal attempt on the final play.
What's confirmed
- "We had a chance to win it at the end," Virginia Tech coach James Franklin said.
What's still developing
- Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi delivered a fiery rebuke of AP poll voters after the unranked Panthers escaped with a 35-33 win at Virginia Tech on Friday night when Hokies kicker John Love missed a 36-yard field goal attempt on the final play.
- -- Virginia Tech 's John Love missed a 36-yard field goal as time expired, and Pittsburgh completed a rally for a 35-33 victory over the Hokies on Friday.
- The road victory certainly had Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi fired up.
- "Now, any of those [Associated Press Top 25] voters out there, if they wake their ass up, they might figure that out." The win was the first of the year for Pitt away from Acrisure Stadium.
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