Pittsburgh solidified their hold on first place in the Big East and a potential BCS bid with a 17-10 win over South Florida Saturday afternoon. The Panthers became bowl eligible for the third straight year with their sixth win and improved to 4-1 in conference play. Pitt quarterback Tino Sunseri completed 11 of 16 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown. Tailback Dion Lewis led the Panthers rushing attack, gaining 105 yards on 22 carries. After being limited to 81 total yards in the first half, Pitt exploded for 211 yards in the second half.

Pittsburgh scored first when Dan Hutchins kicked a 36-yard field goal to give the Panthers a 3-0 lead. Maikon Bonani then tied the score at 3-3 on the first play of the second quarter with a 34-yard field goal. There was no other scoring in the second quarter as both teams struggled on third down conversions: the Panthers were 0-5 and the Bulls went just 2-9.

The Panthers started the third quarter by blocking a USF punt but fumbled after recovering the ball and the Bulls then fell on it to retain possession. Pittsburgh then marched down the field after a USF punt and scored the first touchdown of the game. Sunseri hit Ray Graham on a 12-yard swing pass for a touchdown and a 10-3 Panthers lead. The Bulls tied the score on a reverse when Terrence Mitchell ran 45 yards for the Bulls touchdown. Lewis then scored the game winning touchdown midway through the fourth quarter with a 22-yard run.

The Bulls had won three straight but with the loss fall to 6-4 and 3-3 in conference play.