September 26, 1998

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) - Keion Carpenter had three interceptions, including one returned for a fourth-quarter touchdown, and No. 21 Virginia Tech defeated Pittsburgh 27-7 on Saturday despite playing without its top two quarterbacks.

Virginia Tech (4-0, 2-0 Big East) had to use Nick Sorenson, a safety and former quarterback, because starting quarterback Al Clark was injured last week and backup Dave Meyer suffered a shoulder separation on the first play of the second half.

Virginia Tech's defense had a key goal-line stand, a blocked field goal, a blocked punt that led to a field goal, 10 sacks and a fumble recovery.

The game started as if it would be a blowout, sweet revenge for a loss to Pitt (1-2, 0-1) late last season that cost the Hokies a share of the Big East championship.

Virginia Tech scored touchdowns on its first two possesions and held Pittsburgh to two yards on its first four possessions.

Lamont Pegues broke two tackles on a 20-yard TD run and, after Carpenter's first interception, Shyrone Stith scored on a 16-yard run. The Hokies went ahead 17-0 on Shayne Graham's 41-yard field goal with 11:19 left in the second quarter.

Pitt took advantage of an interception by Seth Hornack after a deflected pass with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Matt Lytle to Latef Grim.

Meyer was injured and fumbled on the first play of the second half. After an 11-yard pass from Lytle to Grim, the Panthers had a first-and-goal inside the 2 and was on the verge of pulling within a field goal of the Hokies.

But the defenders held their ground on two option plays and a sweep, and Corey Moore blocked Paul Ruzila's 26-yard field goal attempt.

Meyers completed his first six passes and was 7-of-9 for 98 yards and one interception - on a deflected throw - in the first half. But the Hokies played conservatively in the second half, relying on defense.

And Carpenter came through again with an interception - taken at the Virginia Tech 19 and returned to the 40 - to stop a Panthers drive late in the third quarter.

With 12:20 remaining, Carpenter made a one-handed grab on a sideline pass that went through the hands of a Pittsburgh receiver. He returned it 16 yards for a touchdown that put Virginia Tech ahead 24-7.

Virginia Tech added a 28-yard field goal after Larry Austin blocked a punt.