Pitt wins Tangerine Bowl over N.C. State

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Antonio Bryant was healthy enough to give Pittsburgh its first bowl win since 1989.

Bryant, a question mark heading into the game with a bad right ankle, caught two touchdown passes as the Panthers closed out a remarkable turnaround season with a 34-19 victory over North Carolina State in the Tangerine Bowl on Thursday night.

Bryant, the game's MVP, wasn't the only star for the Panthers (7-5) in their sixth straight victory.

David Priestley, who had 13 TD passes and one interception during Pitt's winning streak, threw for 271 yards. And Pitt's defense, which had allowed a combined 37 points in its previous five games, came up big after N.C. State (7-5) closed to 27-19.

Lewis Moore sacked Philip Rivers and forced a fumble that was returned 16 yards by Tyre Young for a score with 6:15 left to clinch it for the Panthers.

Pittsburgh began 1-5, but came back with the program's longest winning streak since 1983.

Bryant had all seven catches for 101 yards in the first half as the Panthers built a working margin.

Coach Walt Harris earned his first bowl win in three tries in his five seasons with Pitt. The Panthers got their first postseason victory since beating Texas A&M in the John Hancock Bowl 12 years ago.

Bryant hurt his ankle in the regular-season finale against Alabama-Birmingham on Dec. 1, and wasn't at 100 percent since arriving in Florida on Monday.

But the 2000 All-American and two-time Big East wide receiver was on his game early. He caught TDs of 15 and 2 yards as the Panthers went up 24-10 at halftime.

It was the sixth straight game in which Bryant caught at least one touchdown pass.

Meanwhile, N.C. State wasn't the same team on defense after losing Associated Press first team All-American linebacker Levar Fisher early in the second quarter to a broken left forearm.

The teams traded field goals in a closely played first quarter before the Panthers took control in the second, scoring on drives of 80, 98 and 70 yards.

Pittsburgh was able to establish a running game and a short passing attack to help open up room deep for Bryant.

Pittsburgh took the lead for good with 10:17 left in the second quarter when Priestley completed a 32-yard screen pass to Marcus Furman and a 22-yard swing pass to Raymond Kirkley before Bryant beat Wolfpack safety Julius Patterson on a 15-yard TD.