PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Pittsburgh outscored Virginia Tech 24-0 in the second half and the Panthers rolled, knocking off the Hokies 47-14 in an ACC game played Saturday evening at Heinz Field.
The Hokies lost their third consecutive game and fell to 4-5 overall, 4-4 in the ACC. Pittsburgh moved to 5-4 overall, 4-4 in league play and beat the Hokies for the sixth time in the past seven meetings between the two programs at Heinz Field.
Tech trailed 23-14 at halftime, but on its first drive of the second half, quarterback Hendon Hooker threw an interception. The Panthers capitalized, scoring on a 53-yard field goal by Alex Kessman that made the score 26-14 with 12:25 left in the third quarter.
Unfortunately, the turning point in the game occurred on the Hokies' next possession. Tech drove all the way to the Pittsburgh 1, but couldn't get in the end zone on three straight plays, turning the ball over on downs. Four plays later, Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett threw a 64-yard touchdown pass to DJ Turner that pushed the lead to 33-14 with 8:43 left in the third quarter The Hokies never recovered.
Hooker led the Hokies, completing 13 of 22 for a season-high 260 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception. Khalil Herbert led Tech on the ground, rushing for 72 yards.
Pickett completed 35 of 52 for 404 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception. Turner caught 15 passes for 184 yards and a touchdown.
GAME NOTES
• Hooker's two touchdown passes marked his eighth and ninth passing touchdowns this season and the 16th and 17th of his career. The redshirt junior now has rushed for or thrown for a touchdown in all seven games that he's played in this season.
• Hooker's 55-yard touchdown pass to Turner was the Hokies' second-longest pass play of the season.
• Turner's touchdown reception marked his second of the season and the 10th of his career.
• Chamarri Conner's first-quarter interception was his second interception of the season and the third of his career.
• The Hokies played without standout left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who missed the game with an injury. His streak of 30 consecutive games started came to an end.
• The Hokies were also without regulars Doug Nester (offensive guard), Jermaine Waller (cornerback), and Dorian Strong (cornerback).
UP NEXT
The Hokies will be off next weekend in what amounts to their lone bye week of the season. Tech returns to the field the following Saturday when it takes on ACC leader Clemson at Lane Stadium.Gallery: (11-21-2020) 2020 FOOTBALL at PITT