Tangerine Is Sweet for Pittsburgh

Antonio Bryant was sound enough to give Pittsburgh its first bowl victory since 1989.

Bryant, questionable entering Thursday’s game because of an injured right ankle, caught two touchdown passes as the Panthers closed out a remarkable turnaround season with a 34-19 victory against North Carolina State in the Tangerine Bowl at Orlando, Fla.

Bryant, the game’s MVP, wasn’t the only star for the Panthers (7-5).

David Priestley, who had 13 touchdown passes and one interception during Pittsburgh’s six-game winning streak to close the season, threw for 271 yards. The Panther defense, came up big after North Carolina (7-5) closed to 27-19.

Lewis Moore sacked Philip Rivers and forced a fumble that was returned 16 yards by Tyre Young for a score with 6:15 left to secure the victory.

Pittsburgh began 1-5, but came back under Coach Walt Harris with the program’s longest winning streak since 1983.

Bryant had all seven catches for 101 yards in the first half as the Panthers built a 24-10 margin.

The Panthers got their first postseason victory since defeating Texas A&M; in the John Hancock Bowl 12 years ago.

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Alabama tailback Santonio Beard, suspended for a drunk-driving charge, will play in Thursday’s Independence Bowl against Iowa State, but receiver Antonio Carter, offensive tackle Dante Ellington, reserve tackle Lannis Baxley and fullback Marvin Brown will not because of unsatisfactory academic progress through the fall semester.... Tailback Joe Burns of Georgia Tech was declared academically ineligible for Thursday’s Seattle Bowl against Stanford.... Eastern Washington running back Jesse Chatman, the nation’s rushing leader with 2,096 yards, will relinquish his final season of college eligibility and make himself eligible for the NFL draft.... The Big 12 Conference has extended its agreement with the Holiday Bowl through 2005.... Kansas Coach Mark Mangino has named Bill Young as the Jayhawk defensive coordinator. Young, a defensive line coach with the Detroit Lions, coached at USC from 1998-2000.... Hawaii’s June Jones said that although he has been contacted by Georgia Tech alums about the Yellowjackets’ opening, he is not a candidate for the job.... The Tennessean in Nashville reported that Furman Coach Bobby Johnson has become the leading candidate to become Vanderbilt’s coach.... Montana (14-1) plays Furman (12-2) today for the I-AA national championship at Chattanooga, Tenn.