Gardner Webb @ Pittsburgh preview

Suddenly surging Pittsburgh will host winless Gardner-Webb at Heinz Field on Saturday in the first meeting of the two schools. Quarterback Tino Sunseri, the reigning Big East Conference offensive player of the week, led the Panthers to an emboldening upset win over then-No. 13 Virginia Tech last week after throwing for three touchdowns and 283 yards. The Runnin’ Bulldogs face a Panthers defense that forced four turnovers versus Virginia Tech after not recording a single turnover in their first two games. Gardner-Webb has shown an improved rush defense over the past two games, allowing fewer than three yards per rush, but will face a major test versus a deep Pitt backfield.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: No line

ABOUT PITTSBURGH (1-2, 1-1 BIG EAST): After starting the season with a stunning home loss to Youngstown State and a drubbing at the hands of conference foe Cincinnati, the big win over Virginia Tech has restored some lost luster to a Pitt program in its last season in the Big East before a shift to the ACC in 2013. If coach Paul Chryst decides to sit star tailback Ray Graham - who scored three times in the win over the Hokies - due to lingering injury concerns, the Panthers will lean heavily on true freshman and local product Rushel Shell, who exploded for 157 yards on 23 carries against Virginia Tech. Shell attended Hopewell High in Aliquippa, Pa., also the alma mater of Pitt legend Tony Dorsett, and set the state career rushing record with a total of 9,078 yards.

ABOUT GARDNER-WEBB (0-3, 0-0 BIG SOUTH): The Runnin’ Bulldogs will ask star linebacker Tanner Burch and his fellow front seven defenders to slow the emerging Pitt running game on early downs in order to force Sunseri into unfavorable third-down situations. For Gardner-Webb to remain competitive deep into the game, the sputtering offense must improve on its lowly 27.1 percent third-down conversion rate. Conversely, the Runnin’ Bulldogs are just 72nd among FCS programs in third-down defense.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Pitt gets a week off after this contest before resuming Big East competition versus Syracuse on Friday, Oct. 5.

2. The Runnin’ Bulldogs are 4-9 all-time against current FBS schools, with victories over Florida Atlantic (2001), Florida International (2002, 2003) and Akron (2010).

3. Pittsburgh is 17-8 straight up in its last 25 games at home, while Gardner-Webb is 1-7 straight up in its last eight games on the road.

PREDICTION: Pittsburgh 48, Gardner-Webb 13