Pitt routes Virginia Tech on Senior Day, takes control of ACC Coastal

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Pittsburgh Panthers [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The Pittsburgh Panthers control their own destiny in the ACC Coastal.

On a chilly Saturday afternoon at Heinz Field, the Pittsburgh Panther offense was red hot in a dominating 52-22 win over Virginia Tech.

Holding a half-game lead over Virginia Tech in the Coastal Division, the Panthers knew it was a must win. It was also Senior Day at Heinz Field, so the energy levels were up for the players.

The Panthers jumped to an early 10-0 lead on the Hokies at the end of the first quarter.

Virginia Tech punted to start the 2nd quarter, and pinned the Panthers at their own 22-yard line.

It took one play for the Panthers to score, as quarterback Kenny Pickett found Maurice Ffrench for a 78-yard touchdown pass. The Panthers took a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter.

With 30 seconds remaining in the half, promising fullback George Aston powered through the defensive line, putting the Panthers up 31-7.

The Hokies scored first in the second half, but senior Darren Hall answered quickly with a 73-yard touchdown run.

Halfway through the 4th quarter, the Panthers led 38-22, but senior running back Qadree Ollison was just getting started.

Ollison had a 31-yard touchdown run to put the Panthers up 45-22. Then, after being pinned at their own three-yard line, Ollison sprinted for a 97-yard touchdown run, knocking down defenders along the way, and eventually front-flipping into the end zone.

The Panthers set a school record in offensive yards with 654 total offensive yards, 492 of them coming on the run.

They now have a full game lead in the division over the Virginia Cavaliers.

They have an overall record of 6-4, but their conference record is 5-1.

Their next game is Saturday, Nov 17 at noon in Wake Forest. With a win, they will clinch their division and punch their ticket to the ACC Championship.