A View from the Sideline: Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Pittsburgh Panthers
It was a myocardial infarction. It was two minutes of the most exciting Hokie football in ages, and it was fittingly settled by the Virginia Tech defense on the goal line with everything at stake.
Travon Hill Gets there first, in the backfield on 4th and goal for Pitt.
John Schneider - SB Nation
The 2017 Home football season is in the books. It was another amazing opportunity and the six Game Days flew by. I can barely remember the opener at FedEx Field (a road game) but there were seven games on the live coverage schedule and all were exciting, even though the Clemson game was disappointing, if not understandable.
This week, the View from the Sideline is about Pitt. And if it wasn’t the most thrilling match up for 58 minutes, it certainly made up for it in the final two. It was actually a short game with Tech breaking some offensive molds and actually running the ball pretty effectively, and passing down field. The O finally started converting some third down situations, and even A.J. Bush got to contribute to a scoring drive.
It was Senior Day, and that means some serious sentimentality to go along with the the usual Pitt-Hokies grudge match.
The coach was relaxed and smiling. The game face was not quite there.
John Schneider - SB Nation
It wasn’t a big crowd, but it was still loud
John Schneider - SB Nation
The first drive was crisp and effective
John Schneider - SB Nation
Jackson’s first big pass play
John Schneider - SB Nation
Dogpiles are part of football
John Schneider - SB Nation
Safety sees this when reading the play
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The ball just crossing the line of scrimmage and just missing a big hand.
John Schneider - SB Nation
Chris Cunningham gets the ball
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And the first down
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Josh Jackson scores the first touchdown
John Schneider - SB Nation
Stopping Pitt’s talented running back was key.
John Schneider - SB Nation
Jackson gets a few on a Read-Option
John Schneider - SB Nation
Bradburn Punted, Hokie Nation would have rather scored again.
John Schneider - SB Nation
Pitt did get some chances this one was way too open.
John Schneider - SB Nation
Stroman comes up to make a critical stop
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Cam Phillips had a record day and didn’t know it.
John Schneider - SB Nation
Big Man putting on the pressure that causes a bad choice. Reggie Floyd picked this one.
John Schneider - SB Nation
Fitting the ball into Kumah who is getting really reliable.
John Schneider - SB Nation
It ended with a first down for Kumah and a cool shot.
John Schneider - SB Nation
Holston carries the rock well for the day.
John Schneider - SB Nation
Is Kumah the next big go-to receiver for Tech? I think so.
John Schneider - SB Nation
Cam Phillips with another big catch.
John Schneider - SB Nation
We were running.
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Punt return smothered by Andrew Motuapuaka
John Schneider - SB Nation
The Back Judge gets buried.
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Gotta love when the lines mix it up.
John Schneider - SB Nation
Johnson kicks a critical 3.
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Action downfield
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Mook Reynolds ends up in the practice net.
John Schneider - SB Nation
Almost wiped out the photographer.
John Schneider - SB Nation
It was the Kumah and Phillips show on Offense.
John Schneider - SB Nation
Tremaine Edmunds was all over the place on Defense.
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Tremaine from a bit earlier
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Stopping the Quarterback from running on us.
John Schneider - SB Nation
Sometimes 8 got too far down the field, but eventually hauled down.
John Schneider - SB Nation
McClease had a good day, too.
John Schneider - SB Nation
Not great technique but it looks cool. Josh Jackson slings it.
John Schneider - SB Nation
Cam with a critical run after catch.
John Schneider - SB Nation
Kumah gets another critical play.
John Schneider - SB Nation
Facemask penalty? Yes/No?
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The day’s ball hawking crew. Both resulted in critical points.
John Schneider - SB Nation
First Down McClease
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Vinny finally gets a sack.
John Schneider - SB Nation
1st and Goal on the Hokie 1 1⁄2 yard line. Fitting for #LPD
John Schneider - SB Nation
It’s a WIN!!!!
John Schneider - SB Nation
That was the most exciting two minutes in Hokie Football history since the 1978 David Lamie “Hail Mary” that won the game against William and Mary. The defensive stand really shouldn’t have been necessary. The prior 4th down missed tackles (and injury to Mook) should have ended the game around the Pitt 20/25. But Reggie Floyd (Sorry, I can’t run that fast and was on the other side of the field .. darn it, no Star Trek transporter) found some extra rocked fuel and capped an already excellent game with a saving tackle on the Hokie 1 1⁄2 yard line (courtesy of a replay that took the errant TD call off the board).
The rest is now for the Hokie record books. It was a fitting way to end the game with it on the Defense’s shoulders to close.
Friday it’s the Hoos down in Hooville. And that’s the entire season, right there.