September 27, 2003
Rod Rutherford, the nation's leader in passing efficiency, threw three of his career-high five touchdown passes to Larry Fitzgerald as No. 19 Pittsburgh rebounded from a tough loss to defeat Texas A&M, 37-26.
Fitzgerald, who was averaging a nation-best 149.3 receiving yards, had 135 on seven catches for the Panthers (3-1), who blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead in a 35-31 loss at Toledo last week but played with poise in this one.
Pittsburgh took the lead for good at 16-13 on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Rutherford to Princell Brockenbrough 2:49 into the second half, then opened up a 10-point edge on a 25-yard pass from Rutherford to Fitzgerald with four minutes left in the period.
The touchdown pass to Fitzgerald followed a missed 33-yard field goal by the Aggies' Todd Pegram.
After the Aggies' Terrence Thomas dropped a fair catch on a punt return at the A&M 15, Rutherford completed a five-yard TD toss to Lousaka Polite with five seconds left in the quarter to extend the Panthers' advantage to 30-13.
Rutherford completed 14-of-28 passes for 283 yards and an interception and Brockenbrough had three receptions for 100 yards for the Panthers, who converted four Aggie turnovers into 23 points.
Courtney Lewis ran for 105 yards and a touchdown and had three catches for 73 yards for the Aggies (2-2), who outrushed the Panthers, 227-155. Jamaar Taylor caught six passes for 110 yards and a score for Texas A&M.
The Aggies lost despite outgaining Pittsburgh, 544-478.