The 2000 Pitt game was a big one for Virginia Tech, and they were also doing
some scoreboard watching as well. The Hokies were squarely in the National
Championship race when a very strong 5-1 Panther team came to Blacksburg in
hopes of shutting down Michael Vick and the powerful Tech offense.

Pitt’s one loss had come to Syracuse in the Carrier Dome 24-17, and they had
also shut out Penn State 12-0. This was an up and coming program, and
considering it would have been easy for Tech to look forward to their next
matchup against Miami, the Panthers were a very dangerous opponent.

What we remember about the game is Carter Warley’s field goal with 16 seconds
left and Dave Meyer’s final-drive heroics, but the most exciting thing about
this game was the buildup. A year after playing for the National Championship,
Tech was undefeated and ranked #2 in the polls. However, their weak schedule put
them at #3 in the BCS.

If the Hokies took out Pitt at home, they would move up to #2. #1 Nebraska
played #2 Oklahoma that same day (October 28) at noon. Just before kickoff,
everyone found out that Oklahoma ran off 31 straight points to whip Nebraska
31-14. If Tech beat Pitt, and then defeated Miami on the road, that would set up
a National Championship matchup with the Sooners.

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