The Virginia Tech Hokies lead the Pittsburgh Panthers 21-0 at the half on an ugly Saturday evening in Blacksburg.
With the rain pouring down, both teams were slow to get going on offense through each of their first three possessions. Then, late in the first quarter, Virginia Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker found freshman wide receiver Tayvion Robinson for a 71-yard gain to set up a first and goal from the one-yard line. James Mitchell scores on the very next play to make it 7-0 Virginia Tech.
After a touchback, Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett is pressured and sacked by Virginia Tech linebacker Rayshard Ashby, the ball comes loose and freshman defensive tackle Norell Pollard picks it up and scores from seven yards out and just like that it’s 14-0.
Pickett completed two big passes to get the Panthers into the red zone. Virginia Tech’s defense gets Pitt into a 4th and 2 situation and the Panthers decide to go for it. Chamarri Conner gets pressure on Pickett to force an incompletion.
The Hokies get the ball back and methodically move downfield with an 18-yard completion to Dalton Keene and a huge 32-yard by Robinson to set up a first and goal. Hooker then finds Tre Turner from three yards out to make it 21-0.
Pitt finished with just 77 total yards in the first half, while the Hokies finished with 204.
30 more minutes, Hokies.