Pitt topples South Florida in upset

This time when the fourth quarter came around, the Pitt football team held on.

In the first… This time when the fourth quarter came around, the Pitt football team held on.

In the first four games of this season, the Panthers developed a habit of dropping off in the last 15 minutes, losing leads against Iowa and Notre Dame and allowing both Buffalo and Maine to tighten the score.

But after scoring two touchdowns in the third quarter to build a 34-17 lead against No. 16 South Florida last night, Pitt added a touchdown, a field goal and forced two fumbles in the fourth quarter to upset the previously undefeated Bulls 44-17.

The win marked the Panthers’ first victory over a ranked team since they defeated then-No. 10 South Florida 26-21 on the road in 2008.

It seemed that just in time for the Big East opener, Pitt found the ideal game plan: Give the ball to Ray Graham and watch him go.

Graham racked up 268 all-purpose yards — 226 rushing and 42 receiving—and two touchdowns on 26 carries and four receptions.

And as Graham went, everyone else seemed to go, too.

Quarterback Tino Sunseri looked more comfortable in the no-huddle offense, completing 22 of 33 passes for 216 yards and one touchdown.

Pitt’s defense held the Bulls scoreless in the second half.