Kenny Pickett was 22-of-37 passing for 203 yards and two touchdowns to lead Pittsburgh to a 28-7 win over Virginia Tech in an ACC game on Saturday at Blacksburg, Va.
Israel Abanikanda rushed for 140 yards on 21 carries for Pitt (5-1, 2-0 ACC), which outgained Virginia Tech in rushing yards, 208-90.
The Panthers have now won three straight games since a loss to Western Michigan in Week 3.
Virginia Tech quarterback Braxton Burmeister went 11-of-32 passing for 134 yards, one touchdown and one interception in defeat for the Hokies (3-3, 1-1).
Pitt opened the scoring with 7:35 left in the first quarter, marching 94 yards in 15 plays and taking a 7-0 lead on an 8-yard touchdown pass from Pickett to Gavin Bartholomew.
With 5:52 remaining in the second quarter, Pitt took a 14-0 lead on a 3-yard touchdown run by Pickett, a score that was set up after an interception by Erick Hallett gave the Panthers the ball at the Virginia Tech 29-yard line.
Pitt then took a 21-0 lead with 1:36 to go in the second quarter on a 36-yard touchdown pass from Pickett to Jared Wayne.
The scoring play capped a 5-play, 81-yard drive that lasted only 1:36.
The Panthers continued to pour it on to start the second half, going up 28-0 with 9:16 remaining in the third quarter on a 5-yard touchdown run by Vincent Davis.
Virginia Tech finally got on board with 6:33 to on in the third quarter, cutting Pitt’s lead to 28-7 on a 2-yard touchdown pass from Burmeister to Tayvion Robinson.
But Virginia Tech couldn’t get on the scoreboard the rest of the game in dropping its second straight.
Wayne caught six passes for 94 yards to flank Pickett and Abanikanda for Pitt, which held the ball for 38:16.
–Field Level Media
