Pitt Stuns Virginia Tech on Controversial Kick Miss, Eyes Miami Showdown

Key points

• Pitt won 35-33 at Virginia Tech, improving to 5-0 and 2-0 in the ACC.
• The game ended on a 36-yard field goal attempt by Virginia Tech’s John Love, ruled no good by officials.
• Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi criticized AP voters for not ranking the unranked Panthers.
• Pitt lost starting QB Mason Heintschel to a knee injury in the third quarter; backup Holden Geriner stepped in.
• Virginia Tech coach James Franklin said he could not tell from his angle if the kick was good but defended Love.

Background

Pitt had previously reached 6-0 unranked in 2024 before peaking at No. 18 and losing six straight games. The current ACC landscape features Miami as the league’s standard-bearer, with Pitt now positioned to challenge them on Oct. 24. Earlier in the season, Miami remained unranked despite a strong start, but recent results have solidified their status as a top contender.

How outlets are covering it

CBS Sports emphasized Narduzzi’s fiery critique of AP voters and Pitt’s emergence as a top ACC threat, noting the team’s resilience despite losing Heintschel. Fox News/OutKick focused heavily on the controversy of the field goal, highlighting conflicting camera angles and the NCAA rule that prevented review because the ball crossed above the uprights. USA Today highlighted the uncertainty of the call, quoting Virginia Tech coach James Franklin’s admission that he could not tell from his angle if the kick was good, while also noting former NFL referee Terry McAulay’s comment that no camera angle definitively shows the ball’s position at the uprights. The outlets differ in emphasis: CBS Sports frames the story around Pitt’s rise and Narduzzi’s reaction, while Fox News and USA Today center the narrative on the disputed kick and the lack of reviewable evidence.

Why it matters

Pitt’s win positions them as a serious contender for the ACC Championship Game and a potential College Football Playoff team, challenging Miami’s dominance. The controversy over the field goal highlights ongoing debates about officiating and reviewability in college football, while Narduzzi’s criticism of AP voters underscores the tension between unranked teams and traditional power structures in college football rankings.

What to watch

Pitt will face North Carolina next week and Boston College on Oct. 17 before potentially meeting Miami on Oct. 24. Virginia Tech must recover from their first loss and address the controversy surrounding the final play. The health of Pitt quarterback Mason Heintschel will be a key factor in their ability to sustain their run.