Logan Thomas Heisman Hopes Derail in Lopsided Loss Virginia Tech Loss at Pittsburgh

Celebrated as a Heisman Trophy candidate all summer, Virginia Tech quarterback Logan Thomas may have had any such hopes derailed in the Hokies’ 35-17 loss at Pitt. Almost nothing went right for Virginia Tech, but Thomas’ performance will earn particular scrutiny.

Not since Bane has Heinz Field seen a blow-up quite like Thomas’. He threw three interceptions and just 14 completions, and rushed for 28 yards. His rushing failure was not exclusive, though. The Hokies’ complete inability to establish the rush forced Thomas into difficult passing scenarios that the Panther defense was well game planned to contain.

And donning the proverbial mask, Paul Chryst let Frank Beamer know, after your defense, then you have my permission to lose. The normally impenetrable Virginia Tech defense was startling porous against the rush, allowing Panther running back Ray Graham to go for two touchdowns. But the truly shocking development was the Rushel Shell’s 157-yard outburst. He didn’t reach the end zone, but certainly set the table for his Pitt teammates.

Among them was Tino Sunseri, the previously maligned quarterback whose struggles against Youngstown State and Cincinnati earned plenty of derision. Looking comfortable in Chryst’s system for the first time, he torched the ballyhooed Tech secondary for three touchdowns and nearly 300 yards. The inability to engage at the line gave Sunseri time to operate, and he showed some of the potential that has been missing from his performance the last two seasons.

Virginia Tech has been susceptible to perplexing early season implosions. Just two seasons ago, the Hokies were became just the second ranked FBS team to lose to a Championship Subdivision counterpart, James Madison. Tyrod Taylor had a rough afternoon in that loss and regrouped to lead the Hokies to the ACC title and Orange Bowl.

Taylor also wasn’t considered a Heisman candidate, nor was he compared to one of the great college quarterbacks ever, as Thomas has been to Cam Newton. Taylor’s struggles against JMU were not nearly as severe as Thomas’ against Pitt, either. Thomas looked uncomfortable in the Hokies’ overtime defeat of Georgia Tech in Week 1, overthrowing targets regularly. The inexperience on the Virginia Tech offensive side is becoming glaring.