Sep 25, 2005 By Stephen Flinn For The 5 min read

PITTSBURGH – After starting the season with three consecutive losses for only the third time in the last 33 years, Pitt finally earned its first win this year by shutting out Youngstown State, 41-0, in front of 43,135 at Heinz Field. Even though the Panthers played a Division I-AA team, Pitt head coach Dave Wannstedt still appreciated the much-needed win.

“I know we were expected to win this game, but you can’t get to two wins before getting to one win, so we gained some much-needed confidence today,” Wannstedt said. “We made some plays, got some drives, scored some points, and I think we really needed this game because we went through some adversity and some tough times these last few weeks.”

The game marked the first time a Pitt defense pitched a shutout since November 10, 2001, when the Panther won at Rutgers, 42-0, and the first home shutout since a 31-0 game against East Tennessee State the first game that same season.

“I don’t’ care who you play or where you play, when a defense doesn’t give up a point in the game, that’s impressive,” Wannstedt said. “Our defense has been playing well and they just gained even more confidence this week.”

H.B. Blades led the defensive charge with 10 tackles and one breakup. Cornerback Darrelle Revis helped with an interception and three tackles.

“We played great defense on that play and when Sam Bryant blanketed the receiver, the ball was thrown in the wrong place and I was there to pick it off,” Revis said. “Even though we made some mistakes and have a lot of room for improvement, we played well and it felt great to get a shutout.”

The Panthers donned mustard-colored and royal blue throwback uniforms with the script-Pitt logo from the seventies on the helmets for the game and it worked, much to the delight of the coaches and players.

“We’re going to be like the Buffalo Bills and never want to take off the throwback uniforms,” Wannstedt said. “We really liked wearing those uniforms and I don’t know if it’s going to be our chancellor or our athletic director, but we’re going to have to be told to take them off.”

The Panthers struck fast and took a 6-0 lead less than a minute and a half into the game after Tyler Palko hit Ray Kirkley for a 39-yard screen pass for a touchdown.

“I really wasn’t the main receiver on that play, but rather a safety valve in case Tyler had no where else to go,” Kirkley said. “It felt real good to get that first win and it was more fun walking into the locker room afterwards.”

Kirkley led all runners with 84 yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns, one in the air and one on the ground. Wannstedt praised him after the game for his persistence this season.

“You have to hand it to Ray for sticking in there and continuing to work hard no matter what,” Wannstedt said. “We tried to replace him this season with other runners and they’re all injured or struggling, and Ray is still there doing his best to help us win.”

Palko got back on track as well after struggling in the first three games this season. He completed 14 of 22 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns.

“It didn’t matter who we played today, we needed a win and needed to get some confidence and that’s what we did today,” Palko said. “We weren’t perfect out there today, but we did get a lot of guys the ball and had a lot of involvement out there, so everybody’s confidence should be higher this week.”

David Abdul replaced an injured Josh Cummings and kicked a 22-yard field goal to give Pitt a 9-0 lead in the first quarter. After an off-season car accident, Abdul wasn’t sure if he’d ever be able to play football again.

“I wasn’t sure if this day would ever come, but I hoped it would, and it did, so I was grateful to get out there and help us win today,” Abdul said. “When I got out there, it felt like I was a freshman again, with nerves and everything, but I was just glad to get back in a game.”

Belle Vernon graduate Erik Gill caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from Palko midway through the second quarter which extended Pitt’s lead to 16-0, and the score remained that way until halftime.

The Panthers added to their lead with 18 points in the third quarter on Kirkley’s 12-yard touchdown run, an Abdul 40-yard field goal, and a Palko 27-yard touchdown pass to Greg Lee.

“I dropped a few passes out there today including a touchdown pass, so I have to improve my focus, but it was good to get a win today,” Lee said. “I thought this game was real important for us heading into the Big East next week.”

Tim Murphy tore off a 43-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to finish the game’s scoring.

Connellsville graduate Marcus Furman ran twice for nine yards for the Panthers, but suffered an undisclosed injury.