University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pittsburgh 31, Virginia Tech 28
11/8/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Pittsburgh 31, Virginia Tech 28
11/8/2003
PITTSBURGH?Sophomore wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and senior quarterback Rod Rutherford led No. 21 Pittsburgh to a 31-28 win over No. 5 Virginia Tech in front of 66,207, the third largest crowd in Heinz Field.
The Hokies came back after a David Abdul field goal, when Mike Imoh returned Adam Graessle?s kick-off 50 yards. Virginia Tech needed four plays for Kevin Jones to cap the 49-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown run.
Virginia Tech (7-2, 3-2) added another touchdown by Jones on a one-yard plunge. Pittsburgh took the first gamble of the game as it converted on a fourth down play when Jawan Walker took advantage of a Fitzgerald block for a 27-yard scamper to the four yard line of Virginia Tech. Rutherford capped the drive with a two-yard TD run to give the Panthers a 17-14 halftime lead.
In the second half, Jones continued to run the ball well for the Hokies, as he recorded touchdown runs of 80-yards and 13-yards. The two touchdowns by Jones gave Virginia Tech a 28-24 lead with
With 4:16 remaining to go, Pittsburgh?s defense stopped Virginia Tech on both third and fourth down to give its offense the ball on its own 30 yard line with 4:10 to go. Rutherford and Fitzgerald made the most of their opportunity and led the Panthers down the field, connecting on three passes for 49 yards. After gaining what would be its final first down of the contest, the Panthers faced third and goal from the two yard line with 54 seconds remaining. Senior Lousaka Polite bulldozed his way in for what proved to be the game-winning score.
Down to its last chance, the Hokies? hopes were dashed as redshirt freshman quarterback Marcus Vick threw a game sealing interception to Corey Humphries at his own 26 yard line.
