Virginia Tech’s undefeated season comes to an end after Friday night’s game. The Hokies fell to Pittsburgh 35-33 in dramatic fashion in an ACC matchup at Lane Stadium. The Hokies entered 4-0 and were looking to go 5-0 for the first time since 2005. Instead, Pitt improved to 5-0 after starting the game down 14-0 and surviving a late Virginia Tech comeback.
Virginia Tech came out hot. Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer led the Hokies to a 75-yard opening drive that concluded with a 38-yard touchdown pass to Que’Sean Brown. Grunkemeyer added a 1-yard rushing touchdown. The Hokies’ offense continued to move the ball throughout the game. Grunkemeyer finished with a career-high 434 passing yards and three touchdowns. Brown, who has been one of his favorite targets this year, finished with seven catches for 147 yards and a touchdown.
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Despite Tech’s offensive success, the turnovers allowed Pitt to stay in the game. The Panthers took advantage of a terrible stretch late in the second quarter and into the third. Virginia Tech went through five drives with two interceptions, two fumbles, and a punt. Pitt used this stretch to gain a 35-24 lead. Pitt quarterback Mason Heintschel threw for 113 yards and a touchdown before leaving with an ACL injury.
The Panthers then put in backup quarterback Holden Geriner, who helped Pitt hold onto its lead. Virginia Tech began to come back. Noah Chambers cut the deficit with a safety. Grunkemeyer then connected with Davion Brown for a touchdown, bringing Virginia Tech within two. Virginia Tech then drove into Pitt territory in the final minutes for a chance to win. After converting an important fourth down inside two minutes, Grunkemeyer threw to Luke Reynolds.
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The completion put the Hokies inside Pitt’s 20-yard line. John Love was then set up for a potential game-winning field goal. The 35-yard field goal was ruled no good. This ended the Hokies’ comeback attempt and gave them their first loss of the season. Virginia Tech outgained Pitt 499-295. However, with four turnovers and eight penalties for 82 yards, the Hokies still didn’t win. The loss drops the Hokies to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in ACC play. Virginia Tech will now travel to California next Saturday, where they hope to rebound.
