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: Pitt sets its quarterback order for North Carolina

Holden Geriner will start against North Carolina, Pitt announced Monday, with freshman Corey Dailey moving into the backup role. Mason Heintschel’s torn ACL has ended his season. The decision gives Geriner a full preparation week as the starter after he entered Friday’s game in the third quarter.

The difference is the assignment. Geriner helped finish the Virginia Tech win, but Saturday will be the fifth-year quarterback’s first college start. ACCSports’ William Capps reports that he has completed 19 of 26 passes for 219 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in three appearances this season, following earlier stops at Auburn and Texas State. His Virginia Tech contribution was eight completions on 12 attempts, 78 yards and a touchdown.

Pitt’s official Monday notebook points to the supporting pieces around the new starter. The Panthers are averaging 162 rushing yards per game and have eight rushing touchdowns. Damon Ferguson leads the group with 270 yards and three scores. Pat Narduzzi said he felt good about the running backs being available together again this week.

Narduzzi also praised Geriner’s composure and Kade Bell’s work with the quarterback. Dailey’s promotion brings more backup repetitions after his limited Bucknell appearance, when he completed three of five passes for a touchdown. Heintschel will remain involved with the team, with Narduzzi describing a coaching role for the injured quarterback.

Pitt enters Saturday’s home game 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the ACC. The quarterback order is now established; how the offense performs with Geriner preparing for his first start will be decided on the field. The university’s October 5 announcement confirms the new role, while the Friday recap above preserves the sequence that made this change necessary.