PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- The Pitt Panthers broke the four-year hex held over them by the Rutgers tonight at Rutgers stadium as they road the shoulders of freshman tailback Dion Lewis and a stingy defense to a 24-17 win.

Lewis rushed 31 times 180 yards, including a 58-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter that put the Panthers ahead comfortably 24-10.

Pitt led 17-10 at the half but as has been the case in recent weeks, the Panthers probably should have been ahead by more but missed on several opportunities to score.

The Panthers also handed the Scarlet Knights a touchdown early in the first quarter after a Rutgers punt bounced off the foot of Pitt defensive back Dom DeCicco.

The Scarlet Knights recovered the ball at the Panthers 11 and one play later led 7-0 when Mohamed Sanu took a direct snap in the Wildcat formation and ran 11 yards for the touchdown.

Ray Graham returned the ensuing kickoff 54 yards to set up the Panthers with a first-and-10 at the Rutgers 40. Six plays later, the Panthers tied the game with a 7-yafrd pass from Stull to Dorin Dickerson.

Pitt took a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter when Dan Hutchins -- who had missed a 42-yard attempt early in the game -- kicked a career-long 45-yard field goal.

The Panthers then extended their lead to 17-7 with a 1-yard touchdown run by Dion Lewis which capped an impressive eight-play, 68-yard drive. The big play on the drive was a 15-yard pass from Stull to Mike Shanahan on third-and --7 from the Rutgers 35.

Rutgers quarterback Tom Savage hit Tim Brown with a 19-yard touchdown reception with 10 minutes to play in the fourth quarter to pull Rutgers to within seven points but the Scarlet Knights would get no closer.

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