COLLEGE FOOTBALL : Pittsburgh Upsets Washington State, 17-13 : Nonconference: Panthers win despite losing star running back Billy West because of a shoulder injury.

John Ryan threw two touchdown passes to record-setting Dietrich Jells in the fourth quarter, helping Pittsburgh overcome four turnovers and surprise Washington State, 17-13, in a nonconference game Saturday night.

Pitt, an underdog after going 6-16 the last two seasons under Coach Johnny Majors, rallied twice in the fourth quarter despite being forced into a throwing game when star running back Billy West left in the first quarter because of a separated left shoulder.

Ryan finished 28 of 47 for 266 yards and three interceptions against what was the nation’s No. 2 defense last season. West, who came off the bench to rush for 1,358 yards last year, carried only eight times for 21 yards.

“We might have had to throw even if West hadn’t been injured,” Majors said. “He wasn’t getting much daylight, and I kind of felt we would have to throw more.”

Immediately after West got hurt, Pitt turned the ball over on four of its next five possessions.

But Jells, breaking Pitt’s career receiving yardage record with nine catches for 131 yards, ended a field goal duel with an eight-yard touchdown catch with 6:32 left to put the Panthers ahead, 10-6.

After Washington State scored, Ryan came back to lead Pitt to the winning touchdown, which came on a six-yard pass to Jells with 1:14 left.

Jells now has 2,345 career receiving yards, breaking Dwight Collins’ 1980-83 record of 2,264 yards.