Pitt survives last-second field goal miss to beat Virginia Tech 35–33

Pitt stayed unbeaten by surviving the last kick at Lane Stadium. John Love missed a 36-yard field goal as time expired Friday, leaving the Panthers with a 35–33 victory over Virginia Tech after they had trailed by 14 points and lost starting quarterback Mason Heintschel to an injury.

Holden Geriner replaced Heintschel in the third quarter and threw a 29-yard touchdown to Cataurus Hicks early in the fourth. That score put Pitt ahead 35–24. The Hokies answered with a safety and a touchdown, then drove into field-goal range for a chance to win. Love's attempt went wide left, according to Pitt's official report.

Virginia Tech Athletics published these highlights from the October 2 game.

The result takes Pitt to 5–0 and ends Virginia Tech's unbeaten start at 4–1. Pitt's official recap notes that this is the Panthers' second 5–0 opening in three seasons. It was also their first road game of the season, following four victories at home.

The difference was four Virginia Tech turnovers against none by Pitt. The Hokies gained 499 yards to the Panthers' 295, and Ethan Grunkemeyer completed 30 of 41 passes for 434 yards and three touchdowns. Two interceptions and two lost fumbles repeatedly gave Pitt another chance to close the gap.

Virginia Tech began with two touchdowns in less than five minutes. Grunkemeyer found Que'Sean Brown for a 38-yard score, then ran in from one yard to make it 14–0 with 10:08 remaining in the first quarter. Brown finished with seven catches for 147 yards, the highest receiving total on either team.

Pitt answered before the quarter ended with Ja'Kyrian Turner's 20-yard touchdown run. Independent Pitt outlet Panther-Lair reported the five-play, 65-yard drive, including a third-down completion to Hicks and a 20-yard catch by Bryce Yates before Turner's finish.

The scoring continued in the second quarter. Love's 26-yard field goal made it 17–7. La'Vell Wright scored from one yard for Pitt, and Grunkemeyer found Ayden Greene for a 22-yard touchdown to restore a ten-point Virginia Tech lead. Heintschel then hit Hicks for a 22-yard touchdown with 31 seconds left in the half, bringing Pitt within 24–21.

Damon Ferguson Jr.'s 15-yard touchdown run at 10:13 of the third quarter gave Pitt its first lead. Geriner's touchdown to Hicks extended it, with Hicks finishing on three catches for 63 yards and two scores from different quarterbacks. Heintschel completed 10 of 18 passes for 113 yards; Geriner went eight of 12 for 78.

A tackle of Ferguson in the end zone produced the safety at 11:02 of the fourth. Grunkemeyer's 28-yard touchdown pass to Davion Brown followed with 10:07 remaining, cutting Pitt's lead to two. Neither team scored again. The final Virginia Tech drive reached the Pitt 18 before the missed kick settled the game.

Pitt returns home to face North Carolina on October 10 at noon. The university has announced that the game will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its 1976 national championship team.

In his postgame media session, Pat Narduzzi said he expected to give an update on Heintschel Monday morning or around noon. He said the team was still on the road and he could not give an update then. Narduzzi also said Geriner would receive more practice repetitions and that the staff would assess the situation Monday. PennLive recorded the coach’s remarks after the 35–33 win.

October 5 update: Geriner named starter after Heintschel’s season-ending injury

Pitt has named Holden Geriner its starting quarterback for Saturday’s home game against North Carolina. The official announcement settles the question left open after the Virginia Tech win. Mason Heintschel will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL, while freshman Corey Dailey moves into the backup role.

Geriner is a fifth-year player preparing for the first start of his college career. William Capps’ October 5 report for ACCSports notes that he previously played at Auburn and Texas State. He completed eight of 12 passes for 78 yards and a touchdown after replacing Heintschel against Virginia Tech. Through three appearances this season, he is 19 of 26 for 219 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Pitt’s Monday Narduzzi Notebook emphasizes the composure the staff has seen from Geriner. Pat Narduzzi said the quarterback has spent considerable time around college football despite limited game action, and credited offensive coordinator Kade Bell’s work with him. Dailey, who completed three of five passes with a touchdown against Bucknell, will now receive the backup repetitions.

The change comes with Pitt 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the ACC. The Panthers host North Carolina on October 10 at noon. Narduzzi said the team still believes it can contend for an ACC championship, while acknowledging that losing Heintschel makes that task harder.

Pitt Football’s October 5 native announcement confirms the starting role for the North Carolina game.