University of Pittsburgh Athletics
10/2/2026 12:55:00 PM | Football
FOURTH QUARTER
Virginia Tech's 36-yard field goal as time expires is WIDE LEFT and the Panthers win!
Shawn Lee Jr. picks off Virginia Tech deep in Pitt's territory, the Panthers' fourth forced turnover of the game. Pitt leads 35-24 and has the ball back with 11:49 to play.
After the VT fumble, Holden Geriner and Pitt take advantage! Geriner finds Blue Hicks from 29 yards out for Hicks' second touchdown of the game and the Panthers lead 35-24 early in the fourth quarter.
THIRD QUARTER
The Panthers force their third takeaway of the game, as Jimmy Scott breaks through the line and Isaiah Neal recovers the fumble. Pitt will take over in plus territory with 45 seconds left in the third quarter, leading 28-24.
Pitt's defense gets their second takeaway of the game on a strip sack by Jaeden Moore. Nick James recovers the fumble at the Hokie 28-yard line and the Panthers take over.
After Mason Heintschel went down with an apparent injury earlier in the drive, running back Damon Ferguson Jr. makes several Hokies miss as he gives the Panthers their first lead of the game on his 15-yard touchdown run. Pitt leads 28-24 five minutes into the second half.
HALFTIME
Pitt trails 24-21 at the end of the first half and will receive the kickoff to open up the third quarter.
SECOND QUARTER
The Panthers strike immediately as Heintschel finds Hicks on a slant across the middle of the field. Blue showed a burst of speed, taking it 22 yards to the endzone.
Linebacker Cam Lindsey jumps a route on 3rd & 6 to get the game's first turnover. His interception sets Pitt up at the Virginia Tech 23-yard line with 1:06 remaining in the second quarter.
La'Vell Wright rushes it in from the 1-yard line as Pitt puts together a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to cut the Hokie lead to three. Pitt trails 17-14 with 5:11 remaining in the first half.
FIRST QUARTER
Quarterback Mason Heintschel and the Panther offense march down the field in five plays to get on the board at the end of the first quarter. Pitt's 65-yard scoring drive is capped off on a 20-yard touchdown run by Ja'Kyrian Turner.
The Panther defense forces another punt -- Pitt will begin their drive from the 35-yard line following an 11-yard punt return from Cataurus "Blue" Hicks.
The Hokies score touchdowns on their first two drives. They lead 14-0 with 10:09 to go in the first quarter.
Pitt has won the coin toss and elects to defer. Virginia Tech will begin the game on offense.
GETTIN' READY
INJURY REPORT
With kickoff two hours away, the ACC has released its final injury report for Pitt's matchup with Virginia Tech — and the Panthers will be shorthanded in a few key spots.
OUT:
Crothers has quietly been one of Pitt's more disruptive defensive linemen this season. He only has four tackles, but a tackle for loss and a team-high three pass breakups mixed in. His absence puts more on the plates of Isaiah Neal, Jimmy Scott and Jaeden Moore up front. Keep an eye on Josh Pittman, who's coming off his first career sack, and Reston Lehman, who could see extra reps as well.
TE Elijah Lagg
Pitt loses both of its top blocking and receiving tight ends for this one. Lagg ranks seventh on the team in receiving yards per game (19.0) with a touchdown, and he's been a reliable blocker in two- and three-tight end sets — looks the Panthers will have a harder time running with both him and Max Hunt sidelined. Carson Kent, Pitt's top tight end this season, is still available. Beyond him, every other tight end has taken at least one snap this year but has yet to register a catch.
WR Malik Knight
Knight will miss his third straight game, leaving Pitt without one of its starting receivers. He's totaled 73 yards and seven catches with a touchdown this season, highlighted by a strong outing against Miami (Ohio).
GAME-TIME DECISIONS
WR Tony Kinsler
Kinsler, also a starter, is questionable. If he's out, Pitt still has its top four receivers in the fold: Cataurus Hicks (team-high 63.0 yards per game, one touchdown), Bryce Yates (13-for-13, 193 yards, 48.3 per game), Censere Lee (team-high four touchdowns, 40.0 yards per game) and Demetrice McCray (two touchdowns, 32.3 yards per game).
Turner, the returning starting running back, hasn't played since the opener and the Panthers haven't missed a beat without him. Damon Ferguson Jr. has taken over the lead role, leading the team with 59.8 rushing yards per game and two touchdowns, one of just three Panthers with multiple scores this season. Justin Cook, Synkwan Smith and Jaylinn Brown round out the depth behind him. Narduzzi has hinted in recent weeks that Turner could be nearing a return, and today could be the day.
The biggest swing factor on the report. Pitt got by just fine without Brookins against Bucknell, but Virginia Tech presents a tougher test. He's second on the team with 18 tackles, just behind fellow safety Josh Guerrier (22), who'll need to be at his best if Brookins can't go. Allen Bryant and Tony Forney would likely see increased snaps — Bryant is coming off a career-high five tackles against Bucknell, while Forney has six tackles on the season.
PANTHERS HAVE ARRIVED
PANTHER FANS IN BLACKSBURG
THE SCRIPT: PITT VS. VIRGINIA TECH
PITT VS. VIRGINIA TECH | TRAILER
UNIFORM COMBO
PREVIEW
Pitt takes its unbeaten record on the road Friday night when the Panthers face Virginia Tech at Lane Stadium. Both teams enter the 7 p.m. kickoff at 4-0 overall and 1-0 in ACC play, joining Duke and Miami as the conference's four remaining unbeaten teams.
The Panthers and Hokies will meet for the 24th time, with Pitt winning three of the last four matchups. Pitt's last trip to Lane Stadium resulted in a 28-7 Panther victory in 2021.
PITT at VIRGINIA TECH
October 2, 2026 • 7 PM
Lane Stadium (65,632/Natural Grass) • Blacksburg, Va.
ESPN • 93.7 The Fan • Pitt Panthers Radio Network
PittsburghPanthers.com • @Pitt_FB
