Pitt tailbacks LeSean McCoy and LaRod Stephens-Howling each rushed for 100 or more yards in the Panthers' 24-17 upset victory against No. 23 Cincinnati at Heinz Field yesterday.

McCoy gained 137 yards and Stephens-Howling 100, marking the first time since 1988, when Curvin Richards gained 202 yards and Darnell Dickerson 106 against Rutgers, that two Panthers gained 100 or more yards in the same game.

It is a significant feat, considering the Bearcats had only allowed one 100-yard rusher through their first seven games.

First-year Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly was not impressed, because, in his eyes, the Bearcats had too many defensive breakdowns.

"I attribute two backs running for 100 yards to us playing awful football," Kelly said.

"Don't get me wrong, LeSean McCoy is a heck of a back and LaRod Stephens-Howling played a great game. But, at the end of the day, we were poorly prepared and executed at a very low level."

Kelly, however, did not place all -- or even most -- of the blame on his players.

"What you saw out there was a poorly coached football team, and that stops and starts with me," Kelly said.

"That was a sloppy game by a poorly coached team, and I deserve all the criticism. I hold myself accountable for the game today."

Remember me?

Stephens-Howling, a junior who had lost his starting job to the freshman McCoy, had his first 100-yard rushing game of the season.

"It feels good to finally be out there again," Stephens-Howling said. "It felt great to know that coach still has that confidence in me. I am not going to sit here and lie and say it hasn't been tough because it has, but coach talks about knowing yourself, what you really have inside, and I know myself and I know I am a good running back and I can contribute to this team."

Injury report

Pitt lost starting right guard Joe Thomas to a hamstring injury, and he was replaced by John Bachman. The Panthers also were without receiver Cedric McGee, who injured his arm in practice this week.

Another change

Sophomore T.J. Porter started ahead of redshirt junior Marcel Pestano at wide receiver, and that was due to Porter's strong play of late.

Porter responded with a career-high seven receptions for 85 yards and will start again Saturday at Louisville.