ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Junior wide receiver Antonio Bryant, who had a promising season slowed by injuries, caught seven passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns Thursday night to carry the Pittsburgh Panthers to a 34-19 triumph over North Carolina State in the Tangerine Bowl.
It was Pittsburgh's first bowl victory in a dozen years.
The win was the sixth straight for Pittsburgh (7-5), which dropped five straight games during the season. Bryant and quarterback David Priestley connected on scoring passes of 15 and two yards in the second quarter and the Panthers were never headed.
Bryant, who did not catch a pass in the second half, could opt for early entry to the NFL draft. Blessed with a great frame at 6-2 and 200 pounds, Bryant already is regarded as one of the top receiving prospects.
North Carolina State sophomore quarterback Philip Rivers completed 26 of 40 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown. He threw one interception and was sacked four times.
The Wolfpack (7-5) had won four of their previous five games.
The game was a rematch of the 1978 Tangerine Bowl, which North Carolina State won, 30-17.
