Grinding out a long drive that included six plays inside the USF 10-yard line, Pittsburgh got a 6-yard touchdown run from running back LeSean McCoy to take a 14-7 lead on USF with 4:59 left in the first half.

Pittsburgh leaned hard on McCoy on the drive, giving him seven carries on the first 10 plays. The Panthers went for it on fourth-and-1 from the 40, with Bill Stull hitting a screen pass to Conredge Collins for a first down. McCoy went 20 yards on the next play.

USF was flagged for three penalties inside its 10-yard line, first a defensive holding call on Jerome Murphy on what would have been an incomplete pass on second down. On the next play, as USF dropped a Pittsburgh back for a loss on a screen play, linebacker Tyrone McKenzie was flagged for a late hit, giving the Panthers a first and goal from the 5. Then on third and goal from the 3, cornerback Tyller Roberts was called for pass interference in the end zone, giving Pitt another set of downs from the 2.

On second and goal from the 6, on the 15th play of the drive, McKenzie missed a tackle on McCoy, who broke out wide left to the end zone.

USF will get the ball with five minutes left, needing a good drive to get its offense in rhythm and get the crowd and momentum going for the Bulls again ...