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Toronto Star
· collected 2026-10-03 · by Jimmy Robertson The Associated Press
Pittsburgh Panthers rallied from a 14-point deficit to defeat Virginia Tech 35-33 in an Atlantic Coast Conference game in Blacksburg, Virginia. The Panthers, led by substitute quarterback Holden Geriner and running back Ja’Kyrian Turner, overcame early struggles after starting quarterback Mason Heintschel was injured midway through the second half. Despite outgaining Pittsburgh 499 to 295 yards, Virginia Tech’s four turnovers proved costly as they failed to secure a comeback victory from their own 14-point deficit.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-03,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On Friday night in Blacksburg, Va., Pittsburgh rallied from a 14-point deficit to beat Virginia Tech, 35-33. The game was marred by controversy when John Love, Virginia Tech's kicker, missed what appeared to be a game-winning field goal as time expired. Despite the fans' celebration and initial confusion over whether the ball crossed the uprights, referees ruled it wide left, securing Pittsburgh’s victory and perfect 5-0 record while ending Virginia Tech's undefeated season at 4-1.
Leading up to the decisive play, Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Heintschel threw a touchdown pass after coming off the bench following an injury in the second half. The Panthers also capitalized on four turnovers by Virginia Tech, turning those into 14 points. Despite James Franklin's expected strong start at Virginia Tech this season with a 4-0 record, his team struggled to convert chances late in the game.
Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi praised his team’s performance post-game and called for top-25 voters to take notice of their accomplishments, given they won on the road against a tough opponent. The contentious field goal miss has sparked debate among fans and commentators about whether proper technology exists for such crucial decisions in college football games.
Written for “Pittsburgh vs Virginia Tech” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 4 other(s) covering the same event.
Virginia Tech’s John Love missed a 36-yard field goal as time expired, and Pittsburgh survived for a 35-33 victory over the Hokies on Friday.
asserted
Pittsburgh → miss → Friday
Pittsburgh quarterback Holden Geriner came off the bench to throw a touchdown pass, and Ja’Kyrian Turner added a rushing touchdown for the Panthers (5-0, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who remain one of three unbeaten teams in the ACC.
asserted
who → come → ACC
Pittsburgh trailed 14-0, but scored 21 unanswered points to come from behind despite losing starting quarterback Mason Heintschel to an injury on the fourth play of the second half.
asserted
Pittsburgh → trail → half
Virginia Tech (4-1, 1-1) controlled much of the first half, but the Hokies 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.
asserted
seconds → control → half
That was the first of four turnovers for the Hokies, and the Panthers turned those into 14 points.
asserted
Panthers → turn → points
Pittsburgh took a 28-24 lead on a 15-yard touchdown run by Damon Ferguson Jr. on the Panthers’ first drive of the second half and then took a 35-24 lead on Geriner’s 29-yard touchdown pass to Hicks early in the fourth quarter before holding on.
asserted
Pittsburgh → take → quarter
Virginia Tech cut the lead to 35-33 on a 28-yard touchdown pass from Grunkemeyer to Davion Brown with 10:07 remaining and then Grunkemeyer drove the Hokies 62 yards to set up Love’s game-winning attempt, which he hooked wide left.
asserted
he → cut → which
Grunkemeyer threw for a career-high 434 yards for the Hokies, who outgained Pittsburgh 499-295.
asserted
who → throw → Pittsburgh
The Panthers are 5-0 for the second time in three years, but now await news on the severity of Heintschel’s injury.
asserted
Panthers → await → injury
Geriner played well in relief, completing 8 of 12 for 78 yards and the touchdown.
asserted
Geriner → play → yards
The Hokies will be lamenting this one for a while after jumping out to a big lead and then rallying from a 35-24 deficit to give themselves a chance to win.
asserted
Hokies → lament → chance
Up next
Pittsburgh: Hosts North Carolina on Oct. 10
Virginia Tech: Plays at California on Oct. 10
asserted
Tech → host → Oct.
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