Box Score

Dec 1, 2001

By ALAN ROBINSON
AP Sports Writer

PITTSBURGH - David Priestley kept Pittsburgh's second-half surge going, throwing three touchdown passes in the first half as the Panthers wrapped up a Tangerine Bowl bid by beating UAB 24-6 Saturday.

Pittsburgh (6-5) was 1-5 following a 45-7 loss at Boston College, but has won five in a row behind Priestley and star receiver Antonio Bryant since scrapping its no-huddle spread offense and returning to a pro-style system.

Bryant caught a 6-yard scoring pass from Priestley on Pitt's first possession, but sprained his right ankle on a punt return later in the quarter and did not return.

UAB (6-5) had won four in a row and was hopeful of gaining one of Conference USA's four bowl spots, but apparently will miss out on a bid.

The Blazers were dominated along the line of scrimmage - the Panthers outgained them 111-20 in the first quarter - while falling behind 21-0, then settled for Nick Hayes' two field goals when they finally threatened.

Trailing 24-3 late in the third quarter, UAB coach Watson Brown disdained going for the touchdown on a fourth-and-goal from the Pitt 3. Hayes made the 20-yard field goal.

Priestley, 15-of-29 for 172 yards, was sharp again from the start, just as he been throughout Pitt's winning streak. Aided by a costly pass interference penalty, Priestley drove the Panthers 66 yards in 10 plays on their opening drive before hitting Bryant for the touchdown.

Two drives later, R.J. English hooked up with Priestley on a 43-yard scoring pass play, even as English was bumped and grabbed by defensive Chris Brown.

Pitt, which was shut out in the second half, made it 21-0 early in the second quarter with its second straight three-play scoring drive, this one ended by Priestley's 24-yard scoring pass to Lamar Slade, Bryant's backup.

Marcus Furman, a freshman making his first college start, ran 17 times for 71 yards as Pitt ran for 152 yards against the nation's No. 1-ranked rushing defense.