Miree, Pittsburgh Run Past Oregon St.

Oregon State’s Steven Jackson got the pregame attention. Pittsburgh’s Brandon Miree got the most valuable player award and the victory.

Miree rushed for 113 yards, including a seven-yard touchdown run, as the 24th-ranked Panthers defeated the Beavers, 38-13, Thursday night in the Insight Bowl.

Jackson, the Pacific 10 Conference’s leading rusher and No. 4 nationally with 1,656 yards, managed a season-low 34 yards in 19 carries. Overall, Oregon State gained only eight rushing yards.

“Him being such a great running back and with the great line they had, we just came out and met the challenge,” said Panther defensive end Claude Harriott, who had two sacks and four tackles for loss.

Jackson had gained fewer than 100 yards in only three games, but broke loose only once against Pittsburgh, a 60-yard gain that was called back because of a holding penalty.

Oregon State Coach Dennis Erickson said he was surprised at how ineffective the running game was.

“They played very physical against us,” Erickson said. “It did surprise me, because I thought we could run the football against most people, and we couldn’t tonight.”

Pittsburgh (9-4) eventually overpowered Oregon State (8-5).

“We knew they were a tough defense, No. 10 in the nation coming in,” Miree said. “But we felt we were a physical football team. We’ve been physical with all the teams that we played this year.”

The victory made the Big East 2-0 in bowl games, something that Panther Coach Walt Harris was quick to point out.

“I think people cannot ever refer to it as the Big Easy anymore,” Harris said.

Larry Fitzgerald made a highlight catch for a 40-yard touchdown to give the Panthers a 7-0 lead.