Hokies drop third straight in blowout loss to pitt

Jackson Didlake

November 21, 2020

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Virginia Tech continued its disappointing skid with a 47-14 loss to Pitt. The Hokies have lost three in a row and four of their last five.

“That was a tough one,” Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente said.

The tensions began to boil postgame when after being asked if he could consider taking over play calling from offensive coordinator Brad Cornelsen during the bye week, Fuente told reporters, “That’s the most ludicrous crap I’ve ever heard. Next question.”

Two years ago, the Hokies were crushed 52-22 by the Panthers. On Saturday, they lost by three more than they did on that disappointing November day.

Tech was dominated in time of possession 35:58 to 24:02. The Hokies struggled to keep drives going all day, going 3 of 11 on third down conversions and failing all three of their fourth down conversions.

The story of the game was the Panthers passing game, who had their way with the Hokies. Kenny Pickett passed for 404 yards and two touchdowns to an interception while completing 35 of his 52 passes.

“It was very frustrating,” Hokies defensive lineman Jarrod Hewitt said about the lack of pressure put on Pickett. “A lot of the time, the ball was out in just a couple of seconds.”

DJ Turner was his favorite target, catching 15 passes for 184 yards and a score. Jaylon Barden added 65 yards and a touchdown on five passes.

On the ground, A.J. Davis led the way with 80 yards and a score. Vincent Davis added 53 yards and a touchdown of his own.

The Hokies have leaned on their run game this season, but they struggled with only 156 yards on Saturday, their fewest this season. Khalil Herbert led the way on the ground with 72 yards and added 57 yards on three catches through the air.

Hendon Hooker had 53 yards rushing to go with 260 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception, finishing 13 of 22. Tayvion Robinson had 69 yards on four catches while Tré Turner had the Hokies only two scores of the game, finishing with 74 yards on three catches. He did not play in the second half due to injury.

While the Hokies offense struggled early, they were able to bend, not break on the defensive side of the ball. Pitt kicker Alex Kessman got the Panthers out to a 9-0 lead in the second quarterback behind field goals from 22, 30 and 52 yards.

Hooker helped Tech respond by finding Turner on a 55-yard touchdown that put the Hokies within two. Pitt responded on the ensuing drive that was capped off with a one-yard Vincent Davis touchdown run.

On Tech’s next drive, Hooker found Turner in the end zone again, this time a seven-yard score. Pitt answered before the end of the half on an 11-yard Barden pass from Pickett.

In a crucial third quarter after coming into the half only down nine, the Hokies struggled to find paydirt. Kessman started the scoring with a 53-yard field goal after Hooker threw an interception on the second play from scrimmage.

Perhaps the biggest game changing sequence came on the Hokies ensuing drive when the Hokies got down to the Pitt 4-yard line for a first and goal. After Jalen Holston rushed for three yards on first down, the offense went on to rush for no gain and threw an incomplete pass before Hooker was stuffed on fourth and goal.

Pitt started on its own one and drove 99 yards on four plays, finishing with a 64-yard Pickett touchdown pass to Turner. Pitt added some insurance late in the quarter with a one-yard Pickett touchdown run.

Pitt scored the only points of the fourth quarter on a one-yard A.J. Davis touchdown run.

The Panthers improve to 5-4 and the Hokies fall to 4-5. Both teams are 4-4 in conference play. Next week, Pitt will face off against No. 4 Clemson.

Tech won’t have a chance to lose its fourth straight next week, instead having to wait until Dec. 5 to face none other than Clemson after its bye week.

“We’ve got to wrap our arms over everything that’s happened and get ready for the stretch run,” Fuente said. “Nobody’s happy.”

After a bout against the Tigers, the Hokies will face off against Virginia on Dec. 12 in the Commonwealth Clash.