Pittsburgh's Jared Wayne (5) scores a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
The Associated Press
BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) - Kenny Pickett threw two touchdown passes and rushed for a score to lead Pittsburgh to a 28-7 victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday.
Pickett threw touchdown passes of 8 yards to Gavin Bartholomew and 36 yards to Jared Wayne, and he scored on a 3-yard run - all in the first half - as the Panthers (5-1, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) won their third straight game. Pittsburgh moved into sole possession of first place in the ACC's Coastal Division.
Pickett, arguably the leader for ACC Player of the Year at the season's halfway point, has thrown 21 touchdown passes and just one interception. He completed 22 of 37 for 203 yards against Virginia Tech, and Israel Abanikanda rushed for a career-high 140 yards.
Virginia Tech (3-3, 1-1) finished with a season-low 225 yards. The Hokies' lone score came on a 2-yard pass from Braxton Burmeister to Tayvion Robinson in the third quarter.
THE TAKEAWAYS
Pittsburgh: The Panthers' offense gets all the attention, but Pittsburgh's defense deserves accolades as well. The Panthers have allowed just 35 points in the past three games and haven't allowed more than 100 yards rushing in those three. This is a good squad that is positioned perfectly heading into the second half of the season.
Virginia Tech: Once again, the Hokies were abysmal on offense. Poor quarterback play, dropped passes, and an inability to run the ball killed drive after drive. The performance was so shoddy that Virginia Tech's student section started leaving in the second quarter, and boos could be heard loudly throughout the game. Head coach Justin Fuente, who entered the season on the hot seat, needs to find some answers quickly.
UP NEXT
Pittsburgh: The Panthers play at home against Clemson next Saturday.
Virginia Tech: The Hokies host Syracuse next Saturday.
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Pittsburgh's Jared Wayne (5) catches a pass from quarterback Kenny Pickett in front of Virginia Tech's Jermaine Waller (25) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
The Associated Press
Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi leads his team onto the field at the start of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
The Associated Press
Pittsburgh's Gavin Bartholomew (86) scores a touchdown past Virginia Tech defensive back Nasir Peoples (31) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
The Associated Press
Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente disputes an official's call in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh, Saturday, Oct. 16 2021, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
The Associated Press
Virginia Tech wide receiver Tayvion Robinson (9) drops a pass while defended by Pittsburgh's Erick Hallett II (31) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 16 2021, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
The Associated Press
Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) passes while pressured by Virginia Tech defensive lineman Amare Barno (11) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 16 2021, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
The Associated Press
Virginia Tech safety Tae Daley (17) flips while defending Pittsburgh's Shocky Jacques-Louis (18) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday Oct. 16 2021, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
The Associated Press
Pittsburgh's Jaylon Barden (10) stiff arms Virginia Tech long snapper Oscar Shadley (97) during a punt return in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday Oct. 16 2021, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
The Associated Press
Virginia Tech wide receiver Tre Turner (11) has a pass intended for him deflected by Pittsburgh's Erick Hallett II (31) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday Oct. 16 2021, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
The Associated Press