Panthers Pull Off an Upset

Quarterback Tyler Palko completed four third-down passes on Pittsburgh’s game-winning fourth-quarter drive before scoring from the two to lead the Panthers to a 16-13 Big East Conference victory over No. 21 West Virginia Thursday night at Pittsburgh.

Palko was near perfect on the 73-yard drive, connecting with receiver Greg Lee three times for 38 yards on third-down passes and tight end Erik Gill on a fourth.

An eight-yard interference penalty on linebacker Adam Lehnortt in the end zone against Lee gave Pittsburgh a first down at the West Virginia two, and Palko scored on a rollout with 4:06 remaining to give the Panthers, 7-3 and 4-2 in the conference, their first lead.

The Mountaineers (8-3, 4-2) played without top receiver Chris Henry, who was suspended. Running back Kay-Jay Harris gained only five yards in three carries before leaving because of an injury.

Pittsburgh’s first victory over its biggest rival since 2001 effectively assured the Panthers of a bowl bid -- possibly to the Gator -- and muddied West Virginia’s bowl plans. The Mountaineers might settle for the Insight Bowl after being the front-runner for the Big East’s guaranteed bowl championship series slot before their 36-17 loss to Boston College on Nov. 13.

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Connecticut 41, Rutgers 35 -- Dan Orlovsky threw three touchdown passes and the Huskies (7-4, 3-3) virtually assured themselves of a bowl bid in their first season as a football member of the Big East with a victory over the Scarlet Knights (4-7, 1-5) at Piscataway, N.J.

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Tuskegee 27, Alabama State 17 -- Kevin Huff passed for 370 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Golden Tigers (10-1) to victory over the Hornets (8-2) in the Turkey Day Classic at Montgomery, Ala.