Virginia Tech’s perfect start under James Franklin came to an end Friday night against Pitt, but fans aren’t convinced it should have.
As time expired in the fourth quarter, Virginia Tech kicker John Love missed a 36-yard game-winning field goal attempt at Lane Stadium. However, fans are convinced the officials made the wrong call.
Even the Hokies were unsure if the right call was made on the field.
“From my angle, I couldn’t tell you one way or another,” Franklin told reporters postgame.
Brian Bishop-Imagn Images.
“If the ball ever goes directly over the goal post it’s no good but from that angle it seems like he snuck it in,” one fan said.
“Are we sure this didn’t go through the uprights? I think it did,” a second fan commented.
“Virginia tech just got robbed lmao the kick was clearly good .. no review on this is diabolical,” a third fan declared
“I honestly thought he made it,” another person said.
There’s one particular angle that suggests the refs got the call right, but of course fans aren’t paying attention to it.
The Hokies aren’t blaming the refs.
For what it’s worth, Virginia Tech’s staff refuses to blame the officials for Friday night’s loss.
“We had a chance to win it at the end,” Franklin said postgame. “Everyone is going to focus on the last play. This isn’t coachspeak, but we’re going to watch this tape and there are going to be 20 plays that we could have made to put us in a better position and not be in that situation at the end.”
If the Hokies want to look at the positives, Ethan Grunkemeyer threw for a career-high 434 yards. Perhaps that momentum will carry over to Week 6.
Next up for Virginia Tech is a showdown with Cal.
