Pitt running back Shady McCoy is young, barely two months past his 20th birthday, still a baby, really, in college football. But he gets it. He knows what's important. It didn't matter that his numbers were miniscule yesterday compared to those of Iowa running back Shonn Greene. What mattered was that Pitt won a big game, 21-20. What mattered was that McCoy and his Pitt teammates gave the home fans their money's worth and more, something that hasn't happened nearly enough since Heinz Field opened. What mattered is that the Pitt season still is relevant -- at least for another week -- and the Panthers have a little momentum going into their Big East Conference schedule.

"Being a star and losing, there's no fun in that," McCoy said after emerging from the throbbing Pitt locker room. "Last year, I had the records and all the yards. But you go home after a loss and you're just feeling sick. I'd rather win."

The kid really does get it.

It's not as if McCoy didn't make a sizable contribution to what has to be the second-biggest win of the Dave Wannstedt era, a win trumped only by the magic in Morgantown Dec. 1. Just when it seemed as if the Pitt offense had called it a day late in the third quarter with its five consecutive three-and-out series and an interception on the sixth, he took control of the game. He had six touches and accounted for 69 of the 80 yards that Pitt cranked out to get the winning touchdown against a stout defense that hadn't allowed one in Iowa's first three games. His 27-yard touchdown run -- he started right and cut back -- brought back wonderful memories of last season when he was the best freshman running back in America.

McCoy had the easy part, he said. He credited offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh with "a great call." He said guard C.J. Davis "blew it up" inside and that wide receiver T.J. Porter had "a great block outside."

Nothing wrong with a little humility, is there?

Earlier in that deciding drive, McCoy took a little side-armed pass from quarterback Bill Stull and picked up 28 yards on a second-and-9 play. "That shovel pass probably hurt us as much as anything," said Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, whose homecoming -- he's from Upper St. Clair -- had a rotten ending. McCoy's take? "I should have scored on it. A 27- or 30-yard gain isn't bad, but I should have scored."

If you're thinking McCoy hasn't broken a really long one this season, you're not alone. He's right there with you, and the reality eats at him. His 28-yard catch-and-run and his 27-yard touchdown were his two biggest plays in Pitt's three games.

It's no secret what has been happening. "The defense's main focus was to stop Shady," McCoy said of the Bowling Green, Buffalo and Iowa game plans. That's just sound strategy. If you're the opposing coach, you make Stull and the Pitt receivers beat you.

Still, that makes for a tough adjustment for McCoy. "I'm so used to busting so many [long runs]. I've just got to realize that defenses are gunning for me. I've got to be patient."

McCoy busted enough big plays last season to rush for 1,328 yards and 14 touchdowns even as Pitt was finishing with a disappointing 6-6 record. He averaged an impressive 4.8 yards per carry. He had seven 100-yard games, the most meaningful -- 148 yards on 38 carries -- coming in that surreal, 13-9 win at West Virginia.

But this season?

McCoy is averaging a hair less than 4.0 yards per carry and still is waiting for that first 100-yard day.

In the shocking, 27-17 home loss to Bowling Green in the opener, McCoy rushed for 71 yards on 23 carries and lost a game-changing fumble at the Bowling Green 48 late in the first half. "I didn't produce at all," he said afterward. "I played a horrible game."

In the frighteningly close, 27-16 home win against Buffalo, McCoy had 20 carries for 93 yards but scored three touchdowns.

Yesterday, the kid's final numbers were 18 carries for 78 yards. That was 69 fewer yards than Iowa's superb Greene put up. McCoy also lost a fumble at the Pitt 19 on Pitt's first play and got lucky when Iowa could only turn it into a field goal.

"The defense bailed me out big-time," McCoy said. "I'm still young. I've got to learn to carry the ball better. You think with speed that you can just outrun guys. They got me on that play. I was carrying the ball way too low."

Wannstedt gave McCoy "one of those looks" -- McCoy's words -- but didn't hesitate to go back to him. Wannstedt might not be a great game-day coach, but he's no idiot. He's going to keep giving the ball to McCoy, certainly when it counts. He has to keep giving it to him even if the defense is gunning for him. The 20 carries a game McCoy is averaging this season probably are five too few. No offense to backup LaRod Stephens-Howling, McCoy is Pitt's home run hitter. Wannstedt and Cavanaugh have to keep sending him to the plate as often as possible. Sooner or later, he's going to break those big runs.

Ask Ferentz.

"[McCoy] is a guy who will find a way to do something that really, really impacts a game."

It happened on the winning drive yesterday.

It has to keep happening if Pitt is going to make something of a season that seems just a little brighter this morning.