Pittsburgh wide receiver Tyler Boyd (23) runs the ball past Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
by Will Graves
AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) – James Conner ran for two short touchdowns, including the go-ahead score with 9:36 remaining as Pittsburgh upset No. 24 Notre Dame 28-21 Saturday night.
Tom Savage passed for 243 yards and two scores to Devin Street as the Panthers (5-4) took advantage of some sloppy play by the Fighting Irish (7-3) to end Notre Dame’s four-game winning streak.
Pittsburgh wide receiver Devin Street (15) is greeted by teammate Tyler Boyd (23) after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013, in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh won 28-21.(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
The Irish turned it over three times, including a pair of fourth-quarter interceptions by Tommy Rees. Rees completed 18 of 39 for 318 yards and two touchdowns but was picked off by Pitt’s Ray Vinopal on consecutive passes in the final quarter.
TJ Jones caught six passes for 149 yards and a touchdown and ran for another but Notre Dame’s hopes for a Bowl Championship Series bowl bid vanished in a sloppy final 15 minutes.
The previous five meetings between the two schools had been decided by six points or less, including a triple-overtime escape by the Irish last year in South Bend that kept their perfect regular season alive.
The Panthers blew a 14-point fourth quarter lead and a short field goal in overtime that would have pulled off the upset.
This time, Pitt kept its composure and provided coach Paul Chryst with his first signature win since taking over nearly two years ago.
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