No. 24 Duke escapes Pittsburgh with 51-48 double-overtime win

Duke quarterback Thomas Sirk (1) scores a touchdown against Pittsburgh during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright) (The Associated Press)

Duke wide receiver Jamison Crowder (3) dives in for a touchdown against Pittsburgh during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright) (The Associated Press)

PITTSBURGH – Backup Duke quarterback Thomas Sirk bulled into the end zone from 5 yards in the second overtime to lift the 24th-ranked Blue Devils to a 51-48 win over Pittsburgh on Saturday.

The Blue Devils (7-1, 3-1 ACC) held Pitt to a field goal to start the second overtime then went 25 yards in four plays, with Sirk's second touchdown of the day ending it.

The Panthers (4-5, 2-3) had a chance to win in regulation, driving 71 yards to set up Chris Blewitt for a 26-yard field goal attempt. The Blue Devils called two timeouts to make Blewitt think about it, and the kicker missed badly to the left.

James Conner ran for a career-high 263 yards and three touchdowns for Pitt (4-5, 2-3) but didn't touch the ball in the second overtime.