After beginning the season 4-0, the Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh football teams hooked up in an early-season showdown at Lane Stadium. It was the biggest game for the Hokies in a decade and just five games into the James Franklin era in Blacksburg.
It started perfectly with two touchdowns on their first two drives for a 14-0 lead, but things quickly turned in the second quarter, and the Panthers' defense buckled down while their explosive offense got going and held off a late Virginia Tech rally after losing quarterback Mason Heintschel for a huge road win after John Love missed a game-winning field goal as time expired.
Questionable play-calling after an early lead
What a start on the first two drives: perfect play calling and perfect execution. A 14-0 lead in Lane Stadium, with the defense forcing two straight 3-and-outs. Two possessions with a chance to go up by three touchdowns. Instead, the play-calling was conservative, at best, and it gave Pitt's defense a chance to keep them in the game early.
Pittsburgh outscored the Hokies 21-10 from late in the second quarter through halftime. In the second half, Pitt's defense brought the pressure, and Virginia Tech couldn't handle it. Despite losing Mason Heintschel to an injury, the offense was able to step up more than Virginia Tech's to win on the road.
Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers
In a game between two 4-0 teams that are evenly matched going into it, turnovers are going to play a big role in the game. That was the case, as the Panthers forced three turnovers late in the second half and in the third quarter. All in Virginia Tech territory.
An interception, which was a questionable ruling, on third down inside the final two minutes of the first half with a 24-14 lead led to a key Pitt touchdown to cut the deficit to 24-21 going into halftime. They got the ball in the second half and marched down the field to take the lead on the ground after Heintschel went out. Credit to Pitt for making adjustments defensively. It was a Grunkemeyer interception, a Grunkemeyer fumble, and a Jeffrey Overton Jr. fumble that was turned into seven points.
Penalties and undisciplined football on defense didn't help
The offensive struggles were evident with the turnovers and the play calling after the first drive, but on the defensive side, it was an undisciplined performance with just way too many penalties. On Pitt's second touchdown drive, it went for 75 yards, but 41 of the yards gained were on penalties, including 26 on one play.
That can't happen. Then not making tackles and not getting a lot of pressure on the Pitt QB's wasn't good. Factor in the Panthers getting the running game in the second half and Virginia Tech's lack of adjustments, and it wasn't a recipe for success.
Ethan Grunkemeyer plays his worst game as a Hokie
One look at the numbers and it wasn't a bad game, stats-wise, for Grunkemeyer. However, for all the yards he threw for and three touchdown passes, the three turnovers- two interceptions and a fumble hurt. He threw for 434 yards and was 30-for-41, but it wasn't enough.
The second interception was a throw that he doesn't normally make into double coverage with a wide-open Luke Reynolds in the flat. In his first big game at Virginia Tech, the mistakes were just too many for a big game in primetime.
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