By admin 
BLACKSBURG, Va. – The place was quiet. Eerily quiet.
In the fourth quarter, filling in for injured quarterback Mason Heintschel, Holden Geriner lofted a deep touchdown pass to Cataurus Hicks that sent a hush through a crowd that could have been heard in Roanoke.
Read more Padres are hitting better against good pitchers. They’ll face the best in Game 1.
No, that wasn’t it.
Later on, it was, well, silent. Pitt survived a comeback bid from Virginia Tech, 35-33, Friday night at Lane Stadium as John Love failed to convert what would have been the game-winning 36-yard field goal.
Pitt (5-0, 2-0 ACC) withstood much to do it, overcoming a 14-point first-quarter deficit and weathering the loss of their starting signal-caller.
Although Pitt owned the third quarter, notching three takeaways, Virginia Tech (4-1, 1-1) had the ball late in the fourth with a chance to squash all the previous wackiness. The Hokies started with the ball on their own 20-yard line with 3:54 remaining and marched, with Penn State transfer quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer nearly orchestrating the game-winning drive.
It’s almost hard to remember now, given the sheer chaos that unfolded, but Cameron Lindsey was in a wrestling match for 12 seconds.
He and Virginia Tech receiver Davion Brown grappled and fought, twisting and squirming on the turf, vying for control of a pass late in the second quarter.
Lindsey emerged victorious, came up with a crucial interception and celebrated with his teammates after the official’s emphatic ruling. It came to represent so much more: a critical swing in momentum.
Heintschel exited the game in the third quarter after taking a hit near the sideline and grabbing his knee. He hobbled over to the blue medical tent with the assistance of a trainer before heading to the locker room, finishing his evening 10 of 13 for 113 yards and a touchdown pass.
Geriner took over in lieu of Heintschel, and Pitt converted a fourth-and-1 to keep its drive alive. The backfield combination of Ja’Kyrian Turner – playing for the first time since the season opener – and Damon Ferguson Jr. danced through the Hokies defense, and Ferguson’s 15-yard score gave the Panthers a 28-24 lead, its first of the night.
Read more Dodgers not talking 3-peat yet as Braves enter NLDS with confidence
It wasn’t just overcoming Heintschel’s absence, either. Well before then, Pitt played perhaps the worst five minutes of football imaginable. They couldn’t block, couldn’t tackle, couldn’t cover, couldn’t catch.
Grunkemeyer opened the game finding a wide open Luke Reynolds – a fellow Penn State transfer – for 23 yards. Three plays later he tossed a screen to Que’Sean Brown, who took care of the rest and ripped off a 38-yard touchdown.
The Hokies found paydirt in 1 minute and 16 seconds, marking their quickest scoring drive of the season.
Grunkemeyer continued to pick apart the Panthers in the second quarter, connecting with Ayden Greene for a 22-yard touchdown and throwing for two scores and 261 yards in the first half alone.
News and notes
– After giving up 318 yards in the first half, Pitt held Virginia Tech to 181 in the second.
– Junior defensive lineman Zach Crothers and senior tight end Elijah Lagg were late additions to the injury report Thursday, and both were sidelined against the Hokies.
– Lindsey’s interception marked his first in three seasons with Pitt.
Up next
Now 5-0 for just the second time this century, Pitt will almost certainly slide into the forthcoming AP Top 25 poll before it returns home to face North Carolina at noon on Saturday at Acrisure Stadium.
The game will feature the centerpiece of a yearlong celebration honoring the 50th anniversary of the Panthers’ 1976 national championship season. There will be a special halftime recognition honoring members of the team, as well as a commemorative Tony Dorsett bobblehead giveaway.
Read more Commentary | ‘Hired gun’ Skubal opens up on the pressure, pain and lessons of October
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.
This story was originally published October 2, 2026 at 8:47 PM.