Dennis Erickson made no attempt whatsoever to even try to sugarcoat Pittsburgh's unexpected, but very impressive, 38-13 pounding of his Oregon State football team in Thursday night's Insight Bowl....Brooks Hatch, Gazette Times

Wins mean more than numbers, yards
James Newson's numbers were great and he outshone the more-publicized Larry Fitzgerald of Pittsburgh.

But wins matter, not stats, and the only numerals of consequence in Thursday night's Insight Bowl were Pittsburgh 38, Oregon State 15.

"It's always a team thing and as a team we didn't execute," Newson said after a lopsided loss in a game most figured for a toss-up. "We didn't have a good game. That's all I can say."...Brooks Hatch, Gazette Times

Pitt puts OSU away
Life in the Sonoran Desert did not bring out the best in Oregon State this season.

The low point came in a loss to Arizona State at Sun Devil Stadium on Oct. 12, and OSU’s fortunes were no better Thursday night with a change of venue against No. 24 Pittsburgh (9-4) at Bank One Ballpark in the Insight Bowl.

Pitt’s defense put the clamps on tailback Steven Jackson and came up with a key interception in the third quarter to turn the tide...Gary Horowitz, Statesman Journal

Panthers' stymie Jackson's action
With 891 yards rushing in his past five games, Oregon State tailback Steven Jackson was determined to use the Insight Bowl as a showcase before a national television audience.

But it was the Pittsburgh defense that took center stage.

The Panthers held Jackson to a season-low 34 yards on 19 carries in a 38-13 victory Thursday at Bank One Ballpark...Gary Horowitz, Statesman Journal

Quarterback's night not a total loss
In his first bowl game appearance, quarterback Derek Anderson passed for more than 300 yards.

He kept his poise under a strong pass rush from the Pittsburgh defense, and had a 65-yard touchdown strike to James Newson on Oregon State’s first possession of the game.

But it’s a pass that was picked off that may stay with Anderson during the off season...Gary Horowitz, Statesman Journal

Insight Bowl notes
Best of the rest: Oregon State (8-5) missed finishing tied for the second-most victories in school history. The 1939 team finished 9-1-1, and the 1962 team finished 9-2. The 2000 team finished 11-1 for the best record.

The 2002 Beavers became the fourth OSU football team to finish with eight victories. The other eight-win seasons were 1957 (8-2), 1941 (8-2) and 1964 (8-3)...Rachael Bachman, Oregonian

Down and out in Phoenix
Oregon State scratched and clawed back from a three-game losing streak. Its quarterback pulled himself from a midseason of struggles. And the Beavers earned their way into the Insight Bowl.

Then Pittsburgh slammed a few big plays home, stuffed the Beavers' offense and sawed off the end of Oregon State's season...Rachael Bachman, Oregonian

Beavers second half is the pits
A team that can't run the football is not likely to win football games.

And that is exactly what happened to Oregon State on Thursday night, as the Beavers managed just 8 yards on the ground as Pittsburgh pounded them into a 38-13 Insight Bowl disaster...Bob Rodman, Register Guard

OSU can build from bowl defeat
BLESS THEIR hearts, the Beavers wanted to play in the very best bowl game they could politic themselves into playing, against the very best opponent possible.

All that got them was 24th-ranked Pitt in the Insight Bowl, and Thursday evening, in front of a national television audience on ESPN and 40,533 in Bank One Ballpark, the Panthers were much more than ambitious Oregon State could handle...Ron Bellamy, Register Guard

Newson carries his weight
James Newson did all he could. It just was not going to be enough for Oregon State.

The junior flanker, who set single-season school records with 1,284 yards in receptions and 12 touchdown catches, put on an Insight Bowl show seldom seen...Bob Rodman, Register Guard

Pitt acheives goal of crushing rush
The University of Pittsburgh football team left Bank One Ballpark on Cloud Nine after dominating Oregon State's rushing attack in a 38-13 victory in the Insight Bowl game Thursday night.

The Panthers wanted two things entering the game.

They wanted to make Pac-10 leading rusher Steven Jackson a non-factor, and they did. Pittsburgh also wanted to get its ninth win of the season, the highest total for the school since 1982, and it did that, too...John Moredich, Register Guard

No. 24 Pittsburgh Downs Oregon State
Oregon State's Steven Jackson got the pregame attention. Pittsburgh's Brandon Miree got the MVP award - and the victory.

Miree rushed for 113 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown run, as the 24th-ranked Panthers beat the Beavers 38-13 Thursday night in the Insight Bowl.

Jackson, the Pac-10's leading rusher and No. 4 nationally with 1,656 yards, managed a season-low 34 yards in 19 carries. Overall, Oregon State gained just 8 yards on the ground...Bob Baum, Associated Press

Pittsburgh vs. Oregon State Stream-of-consciousness notes
These two teams might have the coolest uniforms in college football. I’m not a fan of the same color pants and jerseys, but the Oregon State black uniforms look killer. … Interesting. Pittsburgh starts off with an empty backfield. With all the talk about Fitzgerald and the passing game RB Brand Miree and the rushing of QB Rod Rutherford will be a key. … What does this bowl need? A giant logo in the middle of the field. Oh there it is. I almost missed it. I’m joking as the logo goes from sideline to sideline and from the 36-yard line to 37-yard line...Pete Fiutak, CollegeFootballNews.com | 5 Thoughs on the Insight Bowl

Pitt dominates Oregon State
The Insight Bowl was supposed to go to the team whose defense dominated, but No. 24 Pitt didn't stop there.

The Panthers played well enough on defense, offense and special teams to beat Oregon State, 38-13, last night in front of 40,533 at Bank One Ballpark.

Pitt pulled away from a 10-10 halftime tie with two touchdowns in the third quarter -- a 1-yard run by quarterback Rod Rutherford that was set up by safety Tez Morris' interception, and Shawn Robinson's 66-yard punt return for a touchdown...Shelly Anderson, Post Gazette

OSU fans drown out Pitt backers
A sea of orange descended upon Bank One Ballpark for the Insight Bowl between Pitt and Oregon State on Saturday night.

Fluorescent sweatshirts where everywhere among the near-capacity crowd at the 42,915-seat venue, most of whom wore paraphernalia emblazoned with the words, "Oregon State Beavers" in bold letters for everyone to see...Joe Bendel, Tribune Sports

Pitt pelts Oregon State
Everything came together for the Pitt football team Thursday night in the Insight Bowl at Bank One Ballpark.

The running game was there. The passing game was there. The defense was there. The special teams were there.

You could here the sound bellowing from here to the 'Burgh — Click. Click. Click...Joe Bendel, Tribune Review