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Pittsburgh seeks sixth straight win, hosts Rutgers

Oct 25, 2008 - 10:34 AM Rutgers (2-5) at (20) Pittsburgh (5-1), 3:30 pm EDT

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The season-opening loss to Bowling Green was apparently a wake-up call instead of a sign of things to come for Pittsburgh.

LeSean McCoy and the 20th-ranked Panthers aim for their sixth consecutive victory Saturday when they return home to play Rutgers in a Big East Conference game.

McCoy ran for 156 yards and three touchdowns as Pittsburgh completed a perfect three-game road trip last Saturday with a 42-21 triumph over Navy. After the Midshipmen pulled within 21-14, the sophomore scored from 11 and 58 yards out to give the Panthers breathing room.

Bill Stull completed 15-of-23 passes for 255 yards and a 60-yard scoring strike to Jonathan Baldwin for Pittsburgh (5-1, 2-0 Big East), which has successful used a two-tailback system during its winning streak.

Complimenting McCoy's 689 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, LaRod Stephens-Howling has added 243 yards and four scores on the ground.

Unfortunately for the Scarlet Knights, their season-opening loss was a sign of things to come. Rutgers started 0-3 and has defeated just one FBS team this season.

That came last week when Kordell Young rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown as Rutgers held on for a 12-10 victory over Connecticut.

Mike Teel completed 17-of-31 passes for 191 yards for the Scarlet Knights (2-5, 1-2), who used a third-quarter safety to take a 12-3 lead.

Rutgers did receive some help from the opposition, as UConn kicker Tony Ciaravino converted just 1-of-4 field goal attempts, including a miss off the right upright from 42 yards out with 69 seconds remaining.