Pitt Defeats Virginia Tech 35-33 After Missed 36-Yard Field Goal

Pitt beat Virginia Tech 35-33 after John Love missed a 36-yard field goal as time expired. The call was not reviewable, and Pitt improved to 5-0.

PITTSBURGH -- Pitt defeated Virginia Tech 35-33 on Friday night after John Love missed a game-winning 36-yard field goal as time expired. The miss sealed a wild victory for the Panthers, who improved to 5-0 and are expected to be ranked in the AP Top 25 when the new poll is released on Sunday.

Controversial Call on Final Field Goal

Love's kick appeared to sneak inside the left upright from ESPN's live broadcast feed. But the official directly underneath the upright ruled that it did not go through, much to Love's chagrin.

The circumstances of the kick have become commonplace in college football. As kickers have become better and better, there are more and more instances of the ball going through -- or appearing to go through -- the uprights at a height higher than the goal posts. And that is where the judgment of the officials on the ground comes into play.

Per the NCAA's rules, the entire football must be in between the inside of the uprights when it passes between the posts. If a ball travels over the upright -- as it might have done in this case -- it is no good. Consider it like a kick that bounces off an upright and not over the crossbar.

Furthermore, it is a play that is not reviewed. The only extra point and field goal attempts that can be reviewed are kicks that are lower than the height of the uprights. You can review a kick that went inside or outside the posts if it is three feet below the top of the uprights. You cannot review a kick that went three inches above the uprights.

Turnovers and Injuries in Odd Game

It was an odd ending to what turned out to be an odd game. Virginia Tech turned the ball over four times in the loss, and Pitt lost quarterback Mason Heintschel to what looks to be a serious right knee injury.

Heintschel was injured when he got hit while sliding on a scramble and immediately grabbed his knee. He was unable to put any pressure on that leg after the play, and returned to the sideline in street clothes.

Pitt scored 21 straight points to take a 35-24 lead in the fourth quarter, but an interception by Virginia Tech quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer near the Pitt end zone quickly turned into a safety, and then the Hokies cut the lead to three on their next drive.

Pitt's Resilience and Next Steps

Pitt is now 5-0 and should be ranked in the AP Top 25 when the new poll is released on Sunday even if Heintschel is out for an extended period of time. He was replaced by Holden Geriner, who was 8-of-12 passing for 78 yards and a touchdown, and three different Pitt players rushed for a touchdown in the win.

The Panthers' victory keeps their undefeated season alive and sets up a potential rankings rise. The team's ability to overcome adversity, including the loss of their starting quarterback, will be tested in the coming weeks.

Virginia Tech, meanwhile, will look to regroup after a turnover-filled performance. The Hokies' late surge fell just short, and they will need to clean up their mistakes moving forward.

The controversial ending will likely spark debate among fans and analysts about the reviewability of field goal attempts and the challenges officials face when the ball passes above the uprights. However, the result stands, and Pitt remains unbeaten.

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Pitt Virginia Tech John Love Mason Heintschel Ethan Grunkemeyer Holden Geriner AP Top 25

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