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Pitt Runs Over and Routes the Hokies

Ryan Willis wanted to win - Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Hokies Fail to Stop the Run and get Blasted by the Panthers

Virginia Tech went into Heinz Field in Pittsburg looking for answers to say the least. With a streaky offense and a young and inexperienced defense, Fuente knew he would have his hands full against ACC Coastal opponent Pitt. The Panthers came into the game coming off a stellar win against UVA and were trying to take control of the Coastal division with a win against the Hokies. That's exactly what they did:

Tech managed two first downs out of the gate before punting and then allowing a quick field goal the Panthers. After a three-and-out by the Hokies, Pitt literally ran away with the game. In the first half alone they had runs of 27, 32, and 53 yards. Pat Narduzzi's offense put up 31 points in the first half and close to 400 yards of offense against the Hokies.

In the second half, the storyline stayed the same. Pitt ran all over the Virginia Tech defense (including a University record 97-yard run). They put up 52 points to compliment 654 yards and were completely dominant. Bud Foster's defense couldn't buy a stop and the offense showed signs of light here and there, but in the end, it was far too little too late. The only bright spot from the offensive side of the ball was yet again Ryan Willis. Say what you want about him, but he leaves it all on the field. He threw 3 TD's to go along with 231 yards and tacked on 65 rushing yards. If the rest of the team played with his level of heart and intensity, something big could happen.

Hidden underneath the awful box score is another issue: Fuente can't figure out what to do. Head Coach of the Hokies made quite a few head-scratching moments amidst the blowout. On multiple possessions, he would take out QB Willis and sub in true freshman Quincy Patterson. Patterson is said to the future of Tech, but he hasn't learned the details of the offense. Every time he would check in, all the offense would do is run plays and read options; making it easy play-calling for the Panthers defense. Often the move would push Virginia Tech into 3rd and long and force Willis to come in and make a play. This, on top of the pathetic play-calling we've seen all season, makes me wonder about the status of Fuente.

Virginia Tech is a program with a lot of pride, and also a couple of major streaks on the line. If the Hokies lose their next two games at home (where they are winless in ACC play this season), they will lose their 25-year bowl game streak, their 14 game win streak against their in-state rival UVA, and it would mean ending 2018 on a 5-game skid. What happens to Fuente if we lose one or both of those games? If that were to happen, it would make the offseason even more chaotic than it already should be with all of this young talent trying to grow up.

We all hope, and it is quite possible, the Hokies win their last two games and gain bowl eligibility. However, this has been an unpredictable year and also quite disappointing. Next week, at home against rival Miami, we will see what Fuente can do to try and rally his Hokies and salvage a couple things from the season.

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