Ohio Surprises Pitt in Overtime, 16-10

Dion Byrum returned two interceptions for touchdowns, the second one in overtime Friday night that gave Ohio Coach Frank Solich a stunning victory in his home debut, 16-10 over Pittsburgh at Athens, Ohio.

Byrum ran one back 38 yards in the first quarter. He stepped in front of Tyler Palko’s pass in the first overtime and returned it 85 yards untouched.

Led by their defense, the Bobcats (1-1) pulled off one of their biggest victories in a generation, providing Solich with a proud moment in the national spotlight. The former Nebraska coach was brought in to rebuild one of the nation’s worst football programs.

The Panthers opened the season ranked No. 23 under first-year Coach Dave Wannstedt, but have started 0-2 for the first time since 1984. Next week, they play at Nebraska.

Pittsburgh’s LaRod Stephens returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, but the Panther offense struggled behind Palko, a junior who completed 13 of 26 passes for 120 yards with three interceptions.

Byrum’s first interception return tied the score, and the Bobcats’ only drive of the first half set up Brooks Rossman’s 21-yard field goal for a 10-7 halftime lead.

Washington State 55, Nevada 21 -- Alex Brink passed for three touchdowns, Michael Bumpus scored on an 87-yard punt return and Jerome Harrison and DeMaundry Woolridge combined for 254 yards rushing to lead the Cougars at Reno.

Eric Frampton returned an interception 36 yards for the opening touchdown and the Washington State defense sacked Wolfpack quarterback Jeff Rowe five times in the first half as the Cougars (2-0) took a 27-0 halftime lead.

Caleb Spencer scored on a 21-yard pass from Rowe in the third quarter for Nevada (0-1), but Brink answered with a 22-yard pass to Jason Hill to make it 34-7 at 10:27 in the third quarter.

Nevada’s top receiver, Nichiren Flowers, a first-team All-Western Athletic Conference selection last year, was benched the first half for disciplinary reasons and caught only two passes the second half for 20 yards.