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PITT |
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Late goal-line stand lifts Virginia Tech past Pitt 20-14
BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) Cam Phillips had 117 yards receiving and scored the game-winning touchdown, and Virginia Tech's defense kept Pittsburgh out of the end zone on the final play to lift the Hokies to a 20-14 victory over the Panthers on Saturday.
Phillips broke the school record for career receiving yardage when he hauled in a 23-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Josh Jackson with 6:23 remaining. The touchdown gave the Hokies (8-3, 4-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) a 20-14 lead, and they held on, snapping a two-game losing streak.
''The way it finished is indicative of who our players are and what they're about,'' Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente said. ''They refused to let themselves down and found a way to get it done.''
Pittsburgh (4-7, 2-5) used a 74-yard pass play from Kenny Pickett to Jester Weah on its final drive to get to the Virginia Tech 1 with less than 30 seconds to go. But Pittsburgh's four attempts to get into the end zone failed, with the Hokies' Khalil Ladler tackling Panthers tailback Darrin Hall for a 3-yard loss on the game's final play.
''We have to block,'' Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi said. ''We have to guard. We can sit here and talk about play calls, but you have to block. We had four downs to get one yard. They're a good football team. We knew that they have a good run defense, but it's a yard. We have to be able to get a yard.''
Jackson completed just 17 of 37 for 218 yards for the Hokies, with Phillips catching eight passes. He now has 2,981 career receiving yards.
Coming on in place of starter Ben DiNucci, Pickett completed 15 of 23 for 242 yards and one interception.
TAKEAWAYS
Pittsburgh: The Panthers pretty much saw their hopes of a bowl bid end with their second straight loss. Pickett, a freshman playing in just his third game this season, played well, but his interception was costly, as it led to Virginia Tech's game-winning score.
Virginia Tech: The Hokies' offense has been inconsistent this season, but Virginia Tech's defense, led by Greg Stroman, has made up for it, and that was the case again Saturday. Stroman, a cornerback and punt returner, has been the Hokies' most valuable player this season, with four interceptions, including one for a score, and two punt returns for touchdowns. Against Pittsburgh, his interception led to the game-winning score, and he also broke up a third-down pass in the end zone with 3 seconds left.
MAKING THE CHANGE AT QB
Virginia Tech's defense is particularly strong against the run - the Hokies' held the Panthers to just 55 yards rushing - so Narduzzi made the decision to take out DiNucci and play Pickett after DiNucci threw an interception late in the first quarter. Pickett had not played in Pittsburgh's previous three games.
''They're one of the top running defenses in the country,'' Narduzzi said. ''We knew that. That's why Kenny was in the game. He's probably a better passer at this point. We took a shot with some of the balls he threw. We'll continue to evaluate that position.''
UNSUNG HERO
Virginia Tech's Reggie Floyd made arguably the biggest play in the game. On Pittsburgh's final drive, Bennett hit Weah on a post pattern, and Weah broke a tackle, sprinting into the open field. Floyd, though, caught him and brought him down at the Virginia Tech 1 for a 74-yard gain. Officials originally ruled the play a touchdown, but reviewed it and saw that Weah's knee touched down at the 1.
''The play of the game was Reggie Floyd not giving up on that play,'' Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster said. ''We talk to our kids every day about finishing, and today was a big part of it. Every blade of grass is critical, and it was in that play right there. You talk about a big-time effort.''
''Everyone was telling me it was a good play,'' Floyd said. ''But it's something that is expected, so it's nothing new.''
MORE ON PHILLIPS' RECORD
Phillips' 100-yard game marked his fifth of the season and the sixth of his career. He already held the school's record for career receptions, but wasn't aware that he had broken former receiver Isaiah Ford's record for career receiving yards in the game.
''What record?'' he said when asked his reaction to breaking the mark. When told, he said, ''I didn't know that, but that's pretty cool.''
UP NEXT
Pittsburgh: The Panthers conclude their regular season Friday with a home game against Coastal-Division champion Miami.
Virginia Tech: The Hokies finish their regular season Friday with a road game against in-state rival Virginia. Virginia Tech has won 13 straight against the Cavaliers.
Copyright 2017 by AP. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of AP is strictly prohibited.
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
K. PickettĀ
8 QB
|
K. Pickett | 15/23 | 242 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. DiNucciĀ
3 QB
|
B. DiNucci | 4/8 | 54 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. WinslowĀ
18 P
|
R. Winslow | 1/1 | 15 | 1 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
Q. HendersonĀ
10 WR
|
Q. Henderson | 2 | 26 | 0 | 26 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. PickettĀ
8 QB
|
K. Pickett | 9 | 15 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. FfrenchĀ
2 WR
|
M. Ffrench | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Q. OllisonĀ
37 RB
|
Q. Ollison | 2 | 6 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. HallĀ
22 RB
|
D. Hall | 15 | 4 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. WhiteheadĀ
9 DB
|
J. Whitehead | 1 | -3 | 0 | -3 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
J. WeahĀ
85 WR
|
J. Weah | 0 | 4 | 104 | 0 | 74 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. HallĀ
22 RB
|
D. Hall | 0 | 5 | 63 | 0 | 44 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. FfrenchĀ
2 WR
|
M. Ffrench | 0 | 4 | 58 | 0 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Araujo-LopesĀ
82 WR
|
R. Araujo-Lopes | 0 | 4 | 49 | 1 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
N. BossoryĀ
81 TE
|
N. Bossory | 0 | 1 | 15 | 1 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. ClarkĀ
87 TE
|
C. Clark | 0 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Q. OllisonĀ
37 RB
|
Q. Ollison | 0 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Q. HendersonĀ
10 WR
|
Q. Henderson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
J. WhiteheadĀ
9 DB
|
J. Whitehead | 8-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
O. IdowuĀ
23 LB
|
O. Idowu | 8-4 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. PineĀ
36 LB
|
C. Pine | 6-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. CampbellĀ
24 DB
|
P. Campbell | 4-3 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. BriggsĀ
20 DB
|
D. Briggs | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. BrightwellĀ
39 LB
|
S. Brightwell | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. MaddoxĀ
14 DB
|
A. Maddox | 3-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. HerndonĀ
66 OL
|
M. Herndon | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. JacksonĀ
11 DB
|
D. Jackson | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. WattsĀ
34 DL
|
A. Watts | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. ReynoldsĀ
44 LB
|
E. Reynolds | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. StockerĀ
43 DB
|
J. Stocker | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. ZeiseĀ
25 LB
|
E. Zeise | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. RoyĀ
93 DL
|
S. Roy | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Folston Jr.Ā
40 DL
|
J. Folston Jr. | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. WeaverĀ
17 DL
|
R. Weaver | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. WheelerĀ
90 DL
|
R. Wheeler | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. HendrixĀ
8 DL
|
D. Hendrix | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
A. KessmanĀ
97 K
|
A. Kessman | 0/1 | 0 | 2/2 | 2 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
R. WinslowĀ
18 P
|
R. Winslow | 4 | 49.8 | 0 | 53 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Q. HendersonĀ
10 WR
|
Q. Henderson | 1 | 20.0 | 20 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Q. HendersonĀ 10 WR
|
Q. Henderson | 4 | 1.5 | 8 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
J. JacksonĀ
17 QB
|
J. Jackson | 17/37 | 218 | 1 | 1 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
D. McCleaseĀ
33 RB
|
D. McClease | 14 | 70 | 0 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. HolstonĀ
13 RB
|
J. Holston | 12 | 52 | 0 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. JacksonĀ
17 QB
|
J. Jackson | 10 | 32 | 1 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. BushĀ
6 QB
|
A. Bush | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. FoxĀ
16 RB
|
C. Fox | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. McMillianĀ
34 RB
|
T. McMillian | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
C. PhillipsĀ
5 WR
|
C. Phillips | 0 | 8 | 117 | 1 | 36 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. CunninghamĀ
85 TE
|
C. Cunningham | 0 | 1 | 37 | 0 | 37 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
P. PattersonĀ
8 WR
|
P. Patterson | 0 | 2 | 29 | 0 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
E. KumahĀ
83 WR
|
E. Kumah | 0 | 3 | 25 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
S. SavoyĀ
15 WR
|
S. Savoy | 0 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. ClarkĀ
89 WR
|
J. Clark | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
G. StromanĀ
3 CB
|
G. Stroman | 7-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. FloydĀ
21 S
|
R. Floyd | 7-1 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tr. EdmundsĀ
49 LB
|
Tr. Edmunds | 6-1 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. ReynoldsĀ
6 DB
|
M. Reynolds | 6-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. MotuapuakaĀ
54 LB
|
A. Motuapuaka | 5-1 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. HillĀ
94 DE
|
T. Hill | 3-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
H. GainesĀ
11 DE
|
H. Gaines | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. SettleĀ
4 DT
|
T. Settle | 2-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. ShegogĀ
24 LB
|
A. Shegog | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. MihotaĀ
99 DE
|
V. Mihota | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. NewsomeĀ
20 S
|
D. Newsome | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. DeluliisĀ
9 TE
|
D. Deluliis | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. LadlerĀ
9 DB
|
K. Ladler | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
B. JohnsonĀ
93 K
|
B. Johnson | 2/2 | 30 | 2/2 | 8 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
O. BradburnĀ
91 P
|
O. Bradburn | 6 | 44.3 | 2 | 53 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. QuillenĀ
26 DB
|
J. Quillen | 1 | 25.0 | 25 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
G. StromanĀ 3 CB
|
G. Stroman | 2 | 7.0 | 9 | 0 |