Virginia Tech’s controversial missed goal sparks heated debate as different angles tell different story
Craig Carton is taking on the NCAA after admitting massive protocol failures in the Michigan vs. Western Michigan Hail Mary controversy, questioning why the governing body exists even if it doesn’t have the power to overturn the call.
The Virginia Tech Hokies lost their first game of the season Friday night, falling to Pittsburgh, 35-33, in an absolute thriller.
The Hokies led early. Pittsburgh fought back. The two teams exchanged blows in the second half. Ultimately, the Hokies missed what would have been a game-winning kick to the left in the final seconds.
John Love #17 of the Virginia Tech Hokies scores an extra point in the first half against the Pitt Panthers at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia on October 2, 2026. (Getty Images)
And by “largely left” I mean… well, I’m not sure.
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The ball appeared to slide just inside the left post by the narrowest of margins. I speak very finely. I speak Florida in the 2000 elections thin.
Fans, as you will see, thought the Va. kicker. Tech’s John Love had kicked, sending the Hokies to the program’s first 5-0 start in years. Love himself thought he had succeeded too.
The referees, however, threw a wet blanket over the whole thing.
Take a look:
Angles say it all
Thoughts? First impressions?
At first I thought it was good. I was watching this game live and couldn’t understand why the ESPN announcers weren’t saying Nothing about this. They completely ignored all of this. There wasn’t even a replay. It was crazy.
I was screaming in front of my TV. I was sure he had entered. Maybe I still am?
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Virginia Tech Hokies kicker John Love reacts after missing a game-winning field goal during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia on October 2, 2026. (IMAGINE IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Obviously, because we live in the age of social media, other angles have emerged from the kick. Some help Virginia Tech’s case, like this one taken by a fan directly behind the goal posts:
To me, this looks like a basket made. The reaction of students around this guy confirms this way of thinking. Sounds good. It seemed good to them.
However, not all angles help Va. Tech. Others make it look like the refs did things right, which is hard to do given that refs are generally terrible.
Like this one behind the kicker, and to the right:
See? Now THIS one looks like he missed it. Not good! Wide left. Game over. The zebras actually received a call. Shocking!
But wait, there’s more!
Like I said, we live in the age of social media. Do you think anyone you watched that final kick without recording it? Of course not. Nowadays, we can’t do anything without our phones. They own us.
This angle, from the other end of the field, still blows my mind:
See? Now I think it’s good again! What a rush.
There’s also that pesky NCAA rulebook, which provides even more context to the whole situation.
For those of you who wanted the piece revised…you can’t.
On revisable parts:
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A field goal attempt is made if and only if the ball is set (a) below or above the crossbar or (b) inside or outside the uprights when lower than the top of the uprights. If the ball is higher than the top of the uprights when he crosses the baseline, the play cannot be reviewed.
This was not revisable, based on this rule. It exceeded the amounts.
Virginia Tech Hokies head coach James Franklin talks with kicker John Love after the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia on October 2, 2026. (IMAGINE IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
It’s also important to note that the NFL and NCAA differ slightly in their language regarding on-field attempts. College rules stipulate that the ball must pass “over the crossbar between the goal posts of the receiving team.”
The NFL rulebook specifically mentions what we saw last night:
The entire ball must pass through the vertical plane of the goal, which is the area above the crossbar and between the uprights or, if above the uprights, between their outer edges.
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The NCAA rulebook says nothing about the ball going over the uprights. Just “between” the amounts. I’m not saying that’s the rule, I’m just saying that the regulations forget it. Context is important.
Okay, that’s enough of yelling at me. What do you think?
Let me have it! Zach.Dean@OutKick.com.
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