Big East: Fortunate fumble seals win in OT for Pitt
By Associated Press
Published October 17, 2004
PITTSBURGH - Josh Cummings kicked a 27-yard field goal to give Pittsburgh the lead on the first possession of overtime, then cornerback Mike Phillips forced a fumble to preserve the Panthers' 20-17 win over Boston College on Saturday.
Boston College won the toss and elected to start overtime on defense. After gaining 15 yards on seven plays, Pitt took the lead on Cummings' kick.
On the ensuing possession, Eagles quarterback Paul Peterson completed a pass to Larry Lester on third and 10. Lester was close to a first down when he was hit by Phillips and dropped the ball. Pitt linebacker Thomas Smith recovered the fumble to clinch the win.
The Eagles forced overtime with a 10-play, 89-yard drive that ended with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Peterson to Lester with 3:26 left.
The drive was kept alive when Pitt's Josh Lay was called for pass interference on fourth and 4 to give the Eagles the ball at the Pitt 15. Boston College started the drive pinned on its 11.
Peterson finished 32-for-53 for a career-best 367 yards and two touchdowns, but Boston College was held to a season-low 56 yards rushing.
RUTGERS 16, TEMPLE 6: Jeremy Ito kicked three field goals and Ryan Hart threw a late touchdown to help lift the host Scarlet Knights.
Rutgers won despite five turnovers and failing to score a touchdown against the conference's worst defense until the final three minutes.
The Scarlet Knights instead relied on Ito, who connected from 43, 27 and 24 yards, and on a defense that sacked Temple quarterback Walter Washington six times. Ryan Lux kicked field goals of 37 and 38 yards for Temple.
