Pittsburgh scored first after a 40-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Rod Rutherford to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, taking a 7–0 lead.

Oregon State responded with a 65-yard touchdown pass from Derek Anderson to James Newson, tying it at seven.

In the second quarter, Oregon State took a 10–7 lead after Kirk Yliniemi kicked a 50-yard field goal.

Rod Rutherford scored for Pitt on a 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to take a 17–10 lead.

Kirk Yliniemi responded for Oregon State with a 31-yard field goal, making it 24–13 at the end of three quarters.