Pitt and Navy had not played since 1989 before the game last night at Heinz Field, but the series began in 1912 and has a lot of history.

That's why the two schools had a combined effort to celebrate some of that history by making two of the greatest players to play in the series -- Heisman trophy winners Tony Dorsett and Roger Staubach -- honorary captains for the night.

The two legendary players met at midfield with the captains from their respective former teams for the coin toss and received a warm ovation.

Pitt won the coin toss and chose to receive, but the Panthers' first drive stalled.

The former Dallas Cowboys teammates led that team to a 27-10 win against Denver in Super Bowl XI and had some historical memories from the Pitt-Navy series.

Dorsett, who starred at Pitt from 1973-76, scored on a 32-yard touchdown run in the Panthers' 45-0 victory against the Midshipmen in 1976.

That run was significant because it gave Dorsett the NCAA career rushing record.

Dorsett finished his career with 6,082 yards, which at the time made him the NCAA's all-time leading rusher. He remains third on the list of Division I-A rushers behind Wisconsin's Ron Dayne (6,397) and Texas' Ricky Williams (6,279).

Meanwhile, Staubach, Navy's quarterback from 1962-64, led the Midshipmen to a 24-12 win against the Panthers in 1963.

It was Pitt's only loss of the season.

Riverboat Dave?

Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt is known as an old-school coach, and his conservative style sometimes has not been embraced by fans of the teams he has coached. Last night, however, Wannstedt went against that reputation when he gambled in the first quarter -- and was rewarded for it.

Trailing 7-0, the Panthers faced a fourth-and-1 at their 46, but rather than punt, Wannstedt ordered his team to go for it. LeSean McCoy ran for 13 yards to set up the Panthers with a first-and-10 at the Navy 41. Seven plays later, Conredge Collins ran in from 2 yards out to give the Panthers a 10-0 lead.

Wannstedt went for it again on fourth down -- this time fourth-and-2 from the Navy 36 -- and it was successful as quarterback Pat Bostick hit Marcel Pestano with a 4-yard pass, although the Midshipmen also were offsides.

Quick hits

Pitt's game captains were Mike McGlynn, Joe Clermond, Mike Phillips, Jeff Otah and Mark Estermyer. ... LaRod Stephens-Howling returned the opening kickoff 12 yards. It was his first return this season. Stephens-Howling was a primary kick-returner early in his career, but had not done it this year until last night. ... Conor Lee converted two extra points in the first half, giving him 61 successful extra-point attempts. That broke the school record for consecutive successful extra points set by Carson Long in 1974-75. ... Redshirt sophomore Mick Williams made his second start of the season at defensive tackle.