Pitt @ Virginia Tech: Running Diary

3:08: FINAL. VIRGINIA TECH 19, PITT 9. 

Hokies knee the ball out, and move to 3-0 atop the ACC, 6-1 overall. Have now won six games in a row since loss to Alabama in Week 1. Loss for Pitt ends its three-game winning streak, and moves the Panthers back to .500 at 2-2 in ACC play. Panthers 3-2 overall, face Old Dominion next week. 

2:59: TOUCHDOWN PITT. VT 19, PITT 9.

After a 32-yard completion to Street, Savage rushes from nine yards out for a touchdown on a designed quarterback-keeper. Street removed from the game after he took a hard hit from Jarrett on his reception.

2:51: VIRGINIA TECH FIELD GOAL. VT 19, PITT 3.

Journell connects from 23 yards away to put this one likely out of reach for the Panthers. 3:27 on the clock.

2:38: 

Aaron Donald sacks Thomas to end the Hokies’ drive, now tied for fourth with Keith Hamilton and Zeke Gadson at 26.5 career sacks. Pitt takes over at its own 31 down 16-3 with 8:00 to play.

2:29:

Pitt’s moving the ball, Savage completed a slant pattern to Street to start the drive, now Pitt has first down at its 46 after a completion to Garner over the middle. Two first downs are first in the half for the Panthers.  

2:24: 

Kick by Journell from 33-yards goes wide left, and the Panthers dodge a bullet. 16-3 with 14:57 to play in this game. 

2:21: END OF THIRD. VT 16, PITT 3

Third quarter ends with the Panthers stopping Logan Thomas from first down yardage on third down, Hokies will have another field goal attempt coming at the start of the fourth. 

2:16: 

Pitt’s second drive of the third quarter goes nowhere. Savage sacked for a loss of 11 and then a false start back the Panthers up to their nine facing 2nd & 21. Back-to-back incompletions result in another Pitt punt. Hokies take over at the Pitt 40 after Yoklic’s 44-yard punt returned 13 yards. 

2:11: VIRGINIA TECH FIELD GOAL. VT 16, PITT 3

Hokies go on another 11-play drive but are stopped by Pitt before they reach the red zone. 42-yard field goal good by Journell, 3:36 left in the third.

1:59:

Panthers go three-and-out on their first drive of the second half. Yoklic punts 50 yards, Hokies take over possession at their own 31 yard line with 8:42 left in the half. Virginia Tech leads Pitt, 13-3.

1:57: 

Running back James Conner is questionable for the remainder of today’s game with a shoulder injury. Meanwhile, Aaron Donald’s sack of Logan Thomas a few plays back gave him 25.5 for his career and moved him past NFL Hall of Famer Chris Doleman to sixth all-time among Pitt players.

1:53: VIRGINIA TECH FIELD GOAL. VT 13, PITT 3

Virginia Tech gets to the Pitt 19, but the Panthers hold the Hokies to another field goal. 11-play, 69-yard drive ends with a 37-yard field goal by Cody Journell. 

1:47:

Pitt sends Vinopal on the blitz, and Thomas goes over the top to Demitri Knowles who was left in single coverage against Pitts. 40-yard completion to the Pitt 36.

1:22: PITT FIELD GOAL, END OF FIRST HALF

Chris Blewitt connects on a 47-yard field goal, which was set up by a 48-yard completion from Savage to Devin Street. Hokies kneel out the remaining seconds to take us to halftime from Lane Stadium in Blacksburg.

Virginia Tech 10, Pitt 3

1:12:

Pitt forces a three-and-out, allows no yards to the Hokies. 56-yard punt by Hughes backs the Panthers up to their own 20 with 1:22 to play in the half.

1:06: 

Pitt drive is stopped at the Panthers’ own 35. Yoklic’s punt returned 14 yards to the Virginia Tech 27. Hokies have 2:08 try to extend their lead before halftime.

12:57:

Bryan Murphy breaks through in his first game back from injury to sack Logan Thomas on 3rd & 7 for a loss of six. Pitt takes over on its own 20 after Hughes’ punt goes for a touchback. Panthers trail 10-0 with 5:37 to play in the half.

12:55:

Virginia Tech has made it into Pitt’s territory at the Panther 45 after facing a 2nd & 17. Hokies driving on the Pitt defense once again.

12:47:

Pitt’s drive stalls at the Hokie 45. Savage stepped up in the pocket on third down and almost hit a diving Weatherspoon which would’ve brought the Panthers into the red zone but pass fell incomplete. Yoklic’s punt goes for a touchback, 10:48 left in the half.

12:44: 

Pitt records its first first down of the game on a 10-yard pass from Tom Savage to Manasseh Garner. Pitt now in VT territory on a 20-yard pass from Savage to Weatherspoon.

12:38: END OF FIRST. Virginia Tech 10, Pitt 0

Pitt ends the first period of play trailing by 10, but Virginia Tech faces a 4th & 3 at the beginning of the second on the Hokie 41. Only 19 yards for Pitt over three three-and-out drives so far.

12:31: Pitt goes three-and-out again for the third time in as many drives. Virginia Tech takes over at its own 22 after a 10-yard penalty against Donovan Riley for a block in the back on the punt return.

12:25: Virginia Tech 10, Pitt 0.

After sorting through the technical difficulties, our live blog is up and running. To recap, Pitt has gone three-and-out twice while the Hokies scored on their first two drives. Logan Thomas completed a 27-yard touchdown toss to Kalvin Cline and Cody Journell hit a 47-yard field goal on Virginia Tech’s second drive for a 10-0 lead.