Kiichiro Sato, Associated Press Ohio quarterback Austen Everson is sacked by Pitt linebacker Derron Thomas in the first half Friday night in Athens, Ohio. Click photo for larger image. Pitt Notebook: Offensive line riddled by injuries Big East Roundup: QB puts Huskies' offense on full throttle in 59-0 win

Lost in Pitt's 16-10 overtime loss to Ohio Friday night is this fact -- the Panthers' defense played well enough to win. In fact, the defense played so well, Pitt nearly won despite the fact that the Panthers' offense accounted for only three points.

That's a stark contrast to a week ago when the defense was toasted for its poor showing in the 42-21 loss to Notre Dame.

Although Ohio's offense is a work in progress, the Panthers' defense clearly improved from week one to week two.

"The defense played about as good as they can," Wannstedt said. "We put ourselves in some bad spots with turnovers and whatnot, but the defense stepped up. We had very few breakdowns, and I think our defensive line played much better. So, we have some things to build on."

The defense held Ohio to 94 yards rushing and limited the Bobcats to 2.7 yards per carry. Ohio also had only 114 yards passing and almost as many punts (9) as first downs (11).

Pitt allowed only 208 total yards, the lowest total the Panthers have allowed since they defeated Syracuse, 34-14, Oct. 25, 2003 -- a span of 20 games. It also was only the third time since the start of the 2003 season that the Panthers have allowed less than 250 yards in a game.

In all, Ohio had 11 offensive possessions (not including the two which ended at halftime and the end of regulation and totaled only three plays as the Bobcats let the clock run both times), and the Panthers held the Bobcats to six plays or less 10 times, including five three-and-outs.

Harry How, Getty Images Ohio cornerback Dion Byrum, right, celebrates his first-quarter interception for a touchdown with defensive back Michael Mitchell Friday night. Byrum also scored the winning touchdown in overtime against Pitt. Click photo for larger image. NEXT OPPONENT: Team: at Nebraska Record: 1-0 Rank: Unranked Last week: Defeated Maine, 25-7 Coach: Bill Callahan, 6-6 in first season. Points for: 25 ppg (2004) Points against: 27.1 ppg (2004) Series: Pitt, 15-5-3 Comment: Pitt should have a bad taste in its mouth not only from losing to Notre Dame at home and being upset by Ohio in overtime, but from dropping its contest with the Huskers last year at Heinz Field. To have revenge on Nebraska, which is coming off its worst season since 1961, and to grab a much need win, the Panthers' offense will have to find a way around a Nebraska defense that recorded 11 sacks and one touchdown against Maine last weekend.

That's the kind of performance the defense would like to duplicate every week, but the defensive players found little consolation in such statistics in the aftermath of a loss.

"Losing is a blow to the gut, no matter how it happens," defensive lineman Thomas Smith said. "A loss is a loss. We, the team, didn't get the job done and here we play as a team, win or lose. Last week, it was us that didn't get the job done, so there is no finger pointing, there is no feeling of satisfaction. We all need to go out and work hard and find a way to get a win."

Smith's return to full-time duty after knee surgery was one reason the defense performed much better than it did against the Irish. So was the return of strong-side linebacker Clint Session, who also is recovering from knee surgery.

Most of the offense's problems can be traced to an off night by quarterback Tyler Palko, who completed only 13 of 26 passes for 120 yards and three interceptions -- two of which were returned for touchdowns.

Smith said Palko's struggles were uncharacteristic, and he is confident the quarterback will be fine. He said the fact that Palko had an off night but the defense played well should give the Panthers a reason to believe they can still have a good season.

"Tyler is a good player. He isn't going to have a night like this again," Smith said late Friday night. "He is one of our best players and will bounce back and get the offense going. I know him, and he'll be in the office at 6 a.m. [yesterday] watching film. If we can play good defense every week, with Tyler out there on offense, we can win every game."

Session added that "we're not frustrated when the offense isn't scoring because it is our job to shut the other team out until the offense gets going. Some days your offense clicks, some days it is your defense.

"We're a team; that's what it takes to win, being a team. Nobody's to blame. We all have to do a better job."

Smith said he expects people to write off the Panthers now that they are 0-2. That's OK with him because the Panthers seem to thrive when nobody expects much from them.

"We got nine games left and a bowl game, but we have to get going," Smith said.

"Our backs are against the wall, but that's where we seem to always be and we always come out fighting. That's what we plan to do now, keep coming out fighting."