First and foremost, we’re still composing our thoughts here at PSB (keep in mind that I got back to Central PA from Heinz Field at about 3:00 AM). Chas, John, Shawn, Pat, and I will probably have more complete and better thought-through analysis of last night’s thrilling, come-from-behind, last-minute 31-28 win over the #5 Virginia Tech Hokies in a day or so.
Chas called for Pitt to beat Virginia Tech in a close one. But I don’t think that anybody, including Chas, saw this type of win coming. Virginia Tech had the perfect game plan (just run Jones and Vick) and executed it very well. Kevin Jones — easily the nation’s best tailback — gave a Heisman-esque performance against our once-again-exposed run-defense. Marcus Vick had moments that suggested that there may be more than one Vick playing on Sundays in short order. Finally, the Hokies — despite some ill-fated turnovers — had us right where they wanted us late into the fourth quarter.
But against years of its own tendencies when backed against the wall, Pitt suddenly put together a flawless, clockwork drive right down the field to win. There was seemingly nothing that Tech’s talented defense and secondary could do to stop it, especially the go-ahead touchdown blast by Lousaka Polite. And Heinz Field was louder than it had ever been during Tech’s last, futile drive. I still have no idea who Vick was throwing to. But after the stellar night he had, at least one mistake can be expected.
Beyond the players on the field, what made this game even more fun was the legions of loud-mouthed Hokie fans who came to Pittsburgh… even though most of them probably never got in to Heinz Field. Those that did pissed off the Pitt faithful into making more noise than even the Steelers get. Plus, I have to commend Virginia Tech for bringing it’s entire marching band, not just a small traveling contingent. The Marching Virginians are still probably the best (and definitely the biggest) in the Big East. They got the Pitt faithful (as well as the Hokie faithful) even more fired up.
In short, great game by both teams and one of the greatest nights for Pitt football in years. The Hokies graduate to the ACC without having beaten us in three seasons. And we graduate to… uh-oh… Rich Rodriguez’s very talented and well-coached Mountaineers. Yes, the PSB crew will be at Mountaineer Field next Saturday. And I’ll be more nervous than a couch on a Morgantown front porch.
(On a secondary note, my picks against the spread went 2-1, my one loss being picking Virginia Tech to cover. Hey, I’ll take that loss with a smile. I’m now 19-21 for the season.)
Hail to Pitt!
