Unbeaten Pitt, scuffling Iowa searching for legitimacy

Pittsburgh searches for its first 4-0 start since 2000 when the Panthers host Iowa on Saturday.

The Panthers are coming off a 42-25 win at lowly Florida International that included a rally from an early 16-point deficit.

Pitt coach Paul Chryst praised his team's ability to bounce back, but added the Panthers can't be so sloppy early on against the Hawkeyes (2-1).

Iowa blew an early 11-point lead in a loss to Iowa State last week. The Hawkeyes are averaging a modest 21 points a game, 102nd in the country.

Coach Kirk Ferentz says he hasn't lost patience with his offense, pointing out his team has narrowly missed a handful of big plays that could have changed the complexion of the game.