BLACKSBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – More than 60,000 fans filled Lane Stadium Friday night for Virginia Tech’s ACC opener against Pittsburgh. The Hokies lost 35-33 after missing a game-winning field goal in the final seconds.
Dozens of angles on social media show the ball sailing above the goal post, but some fans are asking if the ball slipped between the uprights.
Robert Routier was one of the fans in attendance. He celebrated his 70th birthday Friday and has been tailgating in Blacksburg for more than 30 years.
“The immediate emotion was, it did go in. That was the first thought. And then, after a moment or so, realized it was, oh my, this is a problem. And it hurt,” Routier said.
Routier said he is proud of how the Hokies have performed this season.
“I thought we could have won the game a lot sooner than the end of the game. We had too many turnovers. We had some mistakes. Calls didn’t necessarily go our way, right, wrong, or indifferent. But at the end of the day, yes, the first reaction was down. But then I look back on it and I say, but yeah, we built something,” Routier said.
Pitt fan describes scene after missed kick
Chase Waleski, a University of Pittsburgh graduate, said the moment the kick was ruled no good, it felt like Blacksburg stood completely still.
“Everybody cheered like they thought they won because they thought it went in. And all of a sudden, everyone around me went silent. And everybody in my immediate vicinity was losing their minds. It was great,” Waleski said.
Waleski said it was his first time at Lane Stadium.
“I don’t think I’ve hugged so many strangers in my entire life. That was just a great community moment for all the Pitt fans who made their way all the way down here and got to see their team win,” Waleski said.
Virginia Tech will travel to California to face the Golden Bears on Oct. 10 at 3:30pm
Copyright 2026 WDBJ. All rights reserved.