{
  "id": 11588090,
  "title": "Pitt beats Virginia Tech 35-33 after Hokies' game-winning field goal appears to go over an upright",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/pitt-beats-virginia-tech-35-33-after-hokies-game-winning-field-goal",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-03T03:04:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football/breaking-news/article/pitt-beats-virginia-tech-35-33-after-hokies-game-winning-field-goal-appears-to-go-over-an-upright-030418909.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pitt secured a 35-33 victory over Virginia Tech on Friday night, after a controversial moment occurred in the closing seconds of the game. John Love, Pitt's kicker, missed a potentially game-winning 36-yard field goal as time ran out. However, the decision made by the official standing directly under the uprights was that the ball did not go through the uprights despite it appearing to do so on ESPN's live broadcast feed. Disappointed with the ruling, Love expressed his frustration. This scenario is not uncommon in college football, as the field officials' judgment plays a significant role when a ball appears to go through the uprights but technically might not have. According to NCAA rules, for a kick to be successful, the entire football must be between the inside of the uprights when it passes between the goal posts. If a ball appears to clear the uprights but fails to do so, it is ruled as an unsuccessful attempt. Unlike other kicks, this particular play is not eligible for review, with the exception of kicks that are lower than the goal posts' height and are three feet below, which can be scrutinized. The game between Pitt and Virginia Tech was marked by Virginia Tech's four turnovers and Pitt's inability to contain their quarterback, Mason Heintschel, who suffered a serious right knee injury during the game. He was substituted by Holden Geriner, who completed 8 of 12 passes for 78 yards and a touchdown, leading Pitt to a 35-33 win.",
  "summary": "John Love missed his 36-yard attempt by mere inches.",
  "key_points": [
    "Pitt defeats Virginia Tech 35-33 in controversial game-winning field goal ruling",
    "John Love's missed 36-yard field goal appears to go over upright on broadcast",
    "Virginia Tech's Mason Heintschel replaced by Holden Geriner after serious knee injury"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The outcome underscores the significant impact of officials' judgment calls in college football, particularly on plays that are not reviewable, which can decisively sway the result of a closely contested game.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Pitt escapes Virginia Tech with 35-33 victory",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/pitt-escapes-virginia-tech-with-35-33-victory",
        "published": "2026-10-03T02:56:45.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}