Virginia Tech crushes Pitt 38-21

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Pitt is set to take on Virginia Tech under the lights at a sold-out Lane Stadium on Saturday night. The Panthers are looking to snap a current three-game skid, and Virginia Tech enters this game with an identical 1-3 record. Follow along for live updates.

FIRST QUARTER

Virginia Tech 7, Pitt 0 10:51

VT — Da'Quan Felton 54 pass from Kyron Drones

Pitt received the opening kickoff, but after three straight Rodney Hammond runs, the Panthers were forced to punt. The Pitt defense made a few plays in the Virginia Tech backfield, but on a 2nd and 12, Virginia Tech backup quarterback Kyron Drones hit Da'Quan Felton in stride, who had a step on Pitt corner MJ Devonshire, for a long touchdown.

Pitt 7, Virginia Tech 7 10:39

UP — Bub Means 75 pass from Phil Jurkovec

That didn't take long. Pitt answered on the first play of the drive, a 75-yard bomb from Phil Jurkovec to Bub Means. Pitt has been looking to get that connection working, and it finally came through with a big answer on the road in front of a sell out crowd.

SECOND QUARTER

Virginia Tech 14, Pitt 7 13:07

VT — Kyron Drones 2 run

Pitt had a decision to make facing a fourth and short from midfield. The Panthers seemingly entertained the idea of going for it, but thought better of it and punted it away. Unfortunately for Pat Narduzzi, his safe decision cost him. Caleb Junko's punt only went about ten yards, and the Hokies got a short field and scored on a drive that went 55 yards on 11 plays. Kyrone Drones called his own number on the two-yard line to give the home team the lead.

Virginia Tech 21, Pitt 7 :21

VT —Bhayshul Tuten 12 pass from Drones

Virginia Tech started this drive with an incomplete pass and three straight negative gaining plays, but the Hokies still managed to score, thanks to a pair of backbreaking Pitt penalties. Pitt allowed a 16-yard completion on a fourth and two on the way to a Hokies touchdown. The 21 first half points by Virginia Tech is the most scored by the Hokies under second-year head coach Brent Pry.

THIRD QUARTER

Virginia Tech 28, Pitt 7 10:29

VT — Drones 10 run

Pitt produced a three-and-out coming out of halftime to force Virginia Tech to punt. On Pitt's second offensive play of the third quarter, quarterback Phil Jurkovec was sacked for a 10-yard loss and fumbled the ball away in the process. Virginia Tech's Kyrone Drones then went for a 10-yard rush on third and goal to make it 28-7 Hokies early on in the second half.

Virginia Tech 28, Pitt 14 10:08

UP — C'Bo Flemister 61 pass from Jurkovec

Pitt came up with another quick-strike touchdown. After the Hokies went up three scores and the crowd starting to get into it, Pitt pulled the rug from the Virginia Tech defense on a well executed screen pass. C'Bo Flemister made a nice cut and found pay dirt to make it 28-14, still with plenty of time in the third quarter.

Virginia Tech 28, Pitt 21 9:31

UP — Braylan Lovelace 4 fumble return

Just when Pitt looked down and out, the Panthers came up with two touchdowns in three plays. After Kyron Drones was stopped for no gain on first down, he dropped back to pass and was hit for a 21-yard sack by Pitt's Shayne Simon. Drones lost the ball, and freshman linebacker Braylan Lovelace was there to scoop it and take it in the end zone. Pitt went from down 28-7 to 28-21 in a matter of minutes.

Virginia Tech 35, Pitt 21 3:27

VT — Jaylin Lane 53 pass from Drones

Pitt got its first chance to tie the game in the second half after forcing a Virginia Tech punt. The Panthers started at their own 10-yard line, but could not move the ball, and another sack pinned them deep. Pitt then allowed a Virginia Tech score on the second play of the drive. The Panthers nearly got home on a sack, but because of the pressure, the middle of the field was open and it allowed Jaylin Lane to sprint to the house to make it a two-score game again.

FOURTH QUARTER

Virginia Tech 38, Pitt 21 6:06

VT — John Love 33 field goal

Virginia Tech just engineered a 14-play 77-yard drive that took 8:56 off the game clock to effectively end any chance Pitt had at a wild comeback attempt. The Hokies did a good job of churning out plays and draining clock, and it ended with a 33-yard field goal. The Panthers are now set to start the year with a 1-4 record.