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Panthers Outlast Irish In 4 OTs

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 2, 2008

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Conor Lee kicked a 22-yard field goal in the fourth overtime to give Pittsburgh a 36-33 victory over Notre Dame on Saturday.

LeSean McCoy, who rushed for a season-high 169 yards on 32 carries, set up the winning field goal with an 18-yard run after a 38-yard field goal attempt by Notre Dame's Brandon Walker was wide left. Neither team managed a touchdown in the overtime, and Pitt's only lead was the final score.

Pitt (6-2) bounced back from a disappointing loss to Rutgers with a strong effort after trailing 17-3 at halftime. The Panthers, who haven't been to a bowl since the 2004 season, are now bowl eligible and a victory shy of giving Coach Dave Wannstedt his first winning record in four seasons.

For the Irish (5-3), it was their third loss to a team with a winning record this season, leaving the Irish 0-9 against quality opponents since beating No. 19 Penn State 41-17 in the second game of the 2006 season.

Pitt forced the overtime when they tied the score at 24 with 2:22 left on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Pat Bostick to Jonathan Baldwin on fourth-and-6. The Panthers ran the same play three straight times before Bostick beat Irish cornerback Terrail Lambert for the score.

Bostick, playing with Bill Stull out with a concussion, started the game slow, completing three of six passes for 24 yards with one interception in the first half. The sophomore finished the game 14-of-27 for 164 yards, with one touchdown and three interceptions.

McCoy had his fifth straight 100-yard game. Lee had a career-high five field goals, four in overtime.

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