BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech football returns to ACC action this Saturday with a home date against Pitt at 3:30 p.m. ET. The contest will be televised on ESPN2 and marks the 21st meeting between the programs. The Hokies lead the all-time series 11-9, including a 7-2 mark at home.
The most recent meeting in Lane Stadium resulted in a 28-0 win for the Hokies on Nov. 23, 2019. TE James Mitchell opened the scoring with a one-yard TD run in the first quarter and Tech never looked back. The defense also got in on the scoring as DT Norell Pollard returned a fumble for a seven-yard TD. WR Tayvion Robinson led the team in both rushing (32 yards) and receiving (74 yards) and DB Chamarri Conner tied for the team lead with seven tackles and 1.5 TFL in Tech's second straight shutout of the year.
Under head coach Justin Fuente, the Hokies hold a 3-2 series advantage over the Panthers, including a 2-0 mark at Lane Stadium. Tech has outscored Pitt 48-14 in its previous two meetings in Blacksburg.
The last time Virginia Tech (3-2, 1-0 ACC) and Pitt (4-1, 1-0 ACC) played with unblemished conference records was before the teams joined the ACC. On Nov. 2, 2002, the Hokies and Panthers were both 3-0 in the Big East when the teams played in Blacksburg. Despite holding a 14-7 halftime lead, Tech fell 28-21, giving the Hokies their first loss of the year.
While the Hokies were locked in a primetime battle with No. 14 Notre Dame on Saturday, Pitt enjoyed its open week. Saturday will mark the sixth time that Tech and Pitt play with the Panthers coming off an open date. The last time was just a season ago when the Panthers won a 47-14 game at Heinz Field. The Hokies are 3-3 all-time when playing Pitt after its open week.
Memorable Games
Oct. 27, 2016 – Virginia Tech 39, Pitt 36
In their first season under Fuente, the Hokies marched into Pittsburgh and handed the Panthers their first home loss versus Tech since joining the ACC. QB Jerod Evans threw for 406 yards and two touchdowns while recording 33 rushing yards in the win. The Hokies had three receivers total more than 100 yards receiving as TE Bucky Hodges (145), WR Isaiah Ford (143) and WR Cam Phillips (109) all accomplished the feat. Defensively, NFL Hokie DBs Terrell Edmunds and Chuck Clark led the team with 10 and seven tackles, respectively.
Oct. 12, 2013 – Virginia Tech 19, Pitt 9
The Hokies held the Panthers under 10 points in Pitt's first trip to Blacksburg since 2002. QB Logan Thomas, Tech's all-time total offense leader, threw for 239 yards and a touchdown while leading the team with 27 yards rushing. K Cody Journell hit four field goals, including a 48-yarder, to help Tech down the Panthers for the first time since the 2000 season. Current Tech linebackers coach Jack Tyler tied for the team lead with seven tackles and recorded a sack.
Sept. 11, 1993 – Virginia Tech 63, Pitt 21
The first meeting between the teams is still the highest scoring game in the series. The Hokies scored seven touchdowns led by RBs Tommy Edwards' three and Dwayne Thomas' two. Thomas also rushed for 170 yards in the win. The game was both teams' first conference game of the season and Tech moved to 2-0 with the victory.
Individual game tickets are available for the Hokies' clash with the Orange, along with Tech's two remaining home games against Pitt (Oct. 16) and Duke (Nov. 13). Click here to find tickets.
