Sports

New Video Of Virginia Tech’s Field Goal Proves It Was A Miss Despite Controversial Angle From Behind Uprights

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Virginia Tech Field Goal Pittsburgh Controversy Video Angle No Good Miss Football
ESPN

Virginia Tech kicker John Love thought he made a walk-off field goal to defeat Pittsburgh on Friday night. The college football officiating crew determined that it was no good.

A new video from the far end of the stadium appears to show that the referees actually made the correct decision.

Some college football fans might disagree. However, right or wrong, the call on the field will stand and the result is final.

Virginia Tech missed a field goal as time expired and lost to Pittsburgh at home.

Hokies quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer finished with 434 passing yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately, a pair of interceptions and two lost fumbles proved to be the difference between a win and a loss.

Well, that, and a missed field goal…

Virginia Tech took a 24-21 lead into the locker room at halftime. Pittsburgh stormed back with a pair of touchdowns in the third and early fourth quarter. It looked like the Panthers were destined to win. Especially when Grunkemeyer through this interception in the red zone:

Although it seemed like a disaster, the poor field position led to a safety that put the Hokies right back in the game.

They ultimately got the ball back, down 35-33, with three minutes and 44 seconds remaining. Grunkemeyer led Virginia Tech right down the field. The offense went 62 yards on 15 plays. And then James Franklin decided to play it safe.

He ran the ball right up the middle on the three-straight plays to set up the game-winning field goal. John Love missed.

The veteran kicker thought he made the kick and celebrated like he won the game.

And then it was ruled no good. Pittsburgh won by two.

Did the kick go through the uprights?

This will be one of the most debated field goals in college football history. Especially if this result has an impact on the ACC standings and/or College Football Playoff bracket.

I was watching the game live. It looked to me like Love’s kick just barely squeaked inside the left upright.

The broadcast replay from under the neon yellow field goal appeared to show the same. It looked like the kick went in!

A student video from behind the end zone also supports this narrative. The ball curved in for the win.

What it “looks like” does not matter. Officials ruled no good. A kick is not reviewable above the crossbar. Even if the video evidence seems to prove that it was the wrong decision, the decision is final.

And, despite the controversy, the officials probably made the correct ruling… Here’s why:

First and foremost, if you go back and watch the real-time broadcast angle, you can see a group of Virginia Tech fans/employees/etc., throw their hands up in disbelief when the kick flies past the uprights. The referees had a similar vantage point.

Lets also look at the band!

Band members on the right side of the goalposts are jumping up and down in celebration. Band members on the left side of the goalposts — who had a better view — were just standing there as if it was a miss. The referees had a similar vantage point.

A new video from the other side of the stadium also seems to prove that it was in fact no good. The ball flies wide left.

What do you think? Was the field goal good or no good? Did Virginia Tech get robbed? Did Pittsburgh get lucky? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!