Pitt secured a narrow 35-33 victory over Virginia Tech on Friday night after John Love missed a crucial 36-yard field goal attempt as the clock hit zero.
Or did he?
From ESPN’s live coverage, Love’s attempt seemed to barely make its way inside the left upright. However, the official positioned right below the upright determined that the kick did not go through, leaving Love visibly disappointed.
This kind of situation has become increasingly common in college football. As kickers improve and enhance their skills, we often see instances where the ball appears to pass through the uprights at a height above the goalposts, placing significant reliance on the judgment of the officials.
According to NCAA regulations, the entire football must pass between the uprights from the inside for it to count. If the ball travels over the upright—as it may have in this case—then it’s deemed unsuccessful, similar to a kick that strikes the post rather than going over the crossbar.
Moreover, these types of calls are not subject to review. Only field goals and extra point attempts that are lower than the top of the uprights can be reviewed. Kicks that cross above the uprights—even by a small margin—are not eligible for review.
The game concluded in a rather strange manner, reflecting the oddities of the matchup overall. Virginia Tech committed four turnovers, while Pitt lost their quarterback Mason Heintschel to what appears to be a severe knee injury after a hit during a slide. Heintschel needed to be helped off the field and returned dressed in street clothes, unable to bear weight on his injured leg.
Pitt managed to score 21 consecutive points to lead 35-24 in the fourth quarter. However, an interception by Virginia Tech quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, which was thrown near the end zone, quickly turned into a safety, allowing the Hokies to narrow the gap to three points on their ensuing drive.
With this victory, Pitt improves to 5-0 and is likely to make it into the AP Top 25 when the new rankings are released on Sunday, even if Heintschel has to sit out for a while. He was succeeded by Holden Geriner, who completed 8 of 12 passes for 78 yards and a touchdown, alongside three different Panthers scoring on the ground.
Fan Take: This close game underscores the importance of officiating consistency, a concern that resonates across all sports, including soccer. A similar reliance on officials’ judgment in crucial moments can make or break a match, which fosters discussions around the potential need for technology like VAR to enhance decision-making in soccer.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
