Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi urged college football top-25 voters to take notice of his team's performance following their 35-33 victory over Virginia Tech on Friday night in Blacksburg, Virginia. The win improved the Panthers' record to 5-0, while Virginia Tech fell to 4-1. Narduzzi stated, "We got a hell of a football team. Any of those voters, if they wake their ass up, they might figure it out."
Despite remaining undefeated, the Panthers were not ranked in the Associated Press Top 25, receiving only 52 points in the latest poll, while Virginia Tech had 86 points.
The game saw Virginia Tech take an early 14-0 lead before Pittsburgh scored with 10 seconds left in the first quarter. The Panthers managed to cut the Hokies' lead to 24-21 by halftime. They took their first lead in the third quarter and extended it to 35-24 early in the fourth. Virginia Tech responded with a safety and later scored again, but the game ended with a score of 35-33.
Pittsburgh's defense played a crucial role, forcing four turnovers despite being outgained by Virginia Tech 499 to 295. In the final moments, Hokies kicker John Love attempted a game-winning field goal that was ruled wide left, although there was some uncertainty about the call. Virginia Tech coach James Franklin expressed confidence in Love's abilities but acknowledged he could not determine the outcome of the kick from his vantage point.
Ja'Kyrian Turner led Pittsburgh with 65 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Cataurus Hicks contributed with 65 receiving yards and two touchdowns. This victory marked the Panthers' first 5-0 start since 1991, and they have already surpassed their win total from last season, having previously defeated UCF and Syracuse this year.