Pittsburgh's offense had scored with such frequency all season that, at times, the Panthers resembled something of a basketball team on grass. So the biggest question entering the New Era Pinstripe Bowl seemed to center on whether Northwestern would simply be able to keep pace long enough to give itself a chance.
The Wildcats proved up to the task behind the strength of running back Justin Jackson and a staunch defense that knocked Pitt running back James Conner and quarterback Nathan Peterman from the game. In the end, Northwestern held on for a thrilling 31-24 victory against short-handed Pitt on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium in one of the Wildcats' most complete efforts this season.