Pittsburgh, PA -- (Sports Network) - Two defensive touchdowns from Nate Allen and Trae Williams sparked the South Florida Bulls to a 48-37 victory over Big East opponent Pittsburgh at Heinz Field.

The defense came up huge for the Bulls (9-3, 4-3 Big East), holding the Panthers to just 95 yards rushing, picking off three passes and returning two for touchdowns. Matt Grothe didn't have a great day throwing the ball, hitting 17-of-23 passes for 159 and no touchdowns. However, Grothe made up for the mediocre throwing day with a momentum changing touchdown run to start the second half. Mike Ford punched in two short touchdowns while grinding out 63 yards on the ground.

Pat Bostick threw two touchdowns for Pittsburgh (4-7, 2-4), but also gift wrapped two interceptions for touchdowns to Bull defenders. Bostick ended with 298 yards passing on 24-of-37 attempts. LeSean McCoy was held in check on the ground, gaining just 55 yards on 18 carries. But the back managed three touchdown runs on the afternoon, and finished with a game-high 83 yards on six receptions through the air.

McCoy put the Panthers up midway through the first quarter with a one-yard plunge into the end zone.

Ford answered right back for USF with a 15-yard scamper of his own to tie the game.

Deep into the second frame, Bostick connected with Maurice Williams on a 37- yard scoring strike to put the Panthers up by seven.

Delbert Alvarado nailed a 31-yard field goal just before the half, and Pitt led 14-10 at the break.

On the first play of the second half, Grothe called his own number and scampered 80 yards to pay dirt to put the Bulls up for good.

Alvarado knocked a 45-yarder through the uprights to make it a six-point USF advantage.

As the third quarter came to an end, Allen picked off a Bostick pass and brought it back 37 yards for a score to break the game open.

Ford's second touchdown run came from a yard out with just over nine minutes remaining and made it 27 unanswered points for the Bulls.

McCoy finally broke the Panthers' scoreless streak with a 12-yard touchdown jaunt to make it a two possession game.

Williams' 21-yard interception return for a touchdown with five and a half minutes left ended any hope for a Pittsburgh comeback.

The Panthers still wouldn't go quietly, as Bostick hooked up with Darrell Strong from 10 yards out for a touchdown.

USF drove right back down the field and ended the drive with a six-yard Benjamin Williams touchdown run.

McCoy added another meaningless one-yard touchdown to his day with just under a minute left.

South Florida's ninth win of the season tied the school record set in 2002 and 2006.