It wouldn't be a Virginia Tech football season without heartbreak, right? I mean, it comes with the territory. Even under James Franklin.
Hosting Pittsburgh at Lane Stadium on Friday, the Hokies trailed 35-24 entering the fourth quarter after having an early 14-0 lead. A safety and an Ethan Grunkemeyer touchdown pass cut the deficit to 35-33 with three seconds left. John Love, a senior and one of the better kickers in the country, lined up for a potential game-winning field goal, and it sailed wide left. Or did it?
According to the officials under the goalposts, the kick missed, and the Panthers left Blacksburg with a two-point win to improve to 5-0. Here are three winners and two losers as Virginia Tech fell to 4-1.
Winner: Que'Sean Brown
As bad as the Hokies' offense was at times in the second and third quarters, wide receiver Que'Sean Brown continues to be one of the more underrated Transfer Portal pickups for Franklin. The Duke transfer had seven catches for 147 yards and a touchdown. He caught the game's first touchdown on a pass from QB Ethan Grunkemeyer and ran through the Panthers defense 38 yards to the end zone for a 7-0 lead just 1:16 into the game. Pitt didn't allow him an opportunity to return any kicks, which was a wise strategy.
Loser: Virginia Tech's offensive line
After playing so well in the rain last week at Boston College, the Hokies' offensive line had a step up in competition and struggled. Sure, injuries are a concern as Matt Moore's group is rather deep in the depth chart, but the Hokies rushed for just 65 yards, with Jeffrey Overton Jr. leading the way with 46. Things need to be cleaned up along the offensive line before going out to California next week.
Winner: Luke Reynolds
Whenever Gurnkemeyer needs a big play in the passing game, he goes to tight end Luke Reynolds. The Penn State transfer had seven catches for 93 yards, but none was bigger than the catch on fourth down to set up the game-winning attempt for John Love. He didn't have a touchdown catch, but when he needed to come up with a catch, he did. It felt like offensive coordinator Ty Howle went away from him in the second half until late. He's a matchup nightmare and needs to be involved more than he is in the offense.
Loser: Nathan Totten
It was an awful night for Virginia Tech punter Nathan Totten. Sadly, there is no other way to put it. He got smoked by Pitt punter Gabe Russo, who had six punts for 281 yards, including a 57-yard bomb. Russo didn't give Brown much of a chance to return any kicks.
However, Totten had a night to forget, like Love. Totten had four punts, partly because Virginia Tech turned the ball over so much, for just 145 yards. That included a shank punt of just 15 yards in the fourth quarter. Tought night for the special teams unit.
Winner: Pittsburgh's defense
You have to give credit where credit is due. That was the case for the Panthers' defense. Virginia Tech's offense carved them up on the game's first two drives, but they adjusted and forced four turnovers: two interceptions and two fumbles. The last interception by Grunkemeyer was a terrible throw. The Hokies had Pitt's defense on the rope a couple of times, but their bend but don't break mentality proved to be enough to survive a win.
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