PISCATAWAY, N.J. — The new kid on the team allowed Pittsburgh to end four years of frustration against Rutgers.

Freshman Dion Lewis ran for 180 yards and two touchdowns and the Panthers posted their first win over Rutgers since 2004 with a 24-17 victory last night.

"I think a few guys on our team had this game circled on their calendar," guard John Malecki said after the Panthers (6-1, 3-0 Big East) got off to their best league start since 2003.

This was a game the seniors wanted though. They had beaten every other Big East team during their careers except the Scarlet Knights (4-2, 0-2).

And last year might have been the most embarrassing game. Rutgers went to Pittsburgh and embarrassed the-then No. 17 Panthers 54-34.

"It's been a long time coming," Pittsburgh coach Dave Wannstedt said. "I am very happy for our seniors. These kids really worked extremely hard over the past four years to try to build this program up and Rutgers has been a team that we just haven't been to play well enough to win."

Lewis was the difference this year. He carried 31 times and scored on runs of 1 and 58 yards, noting he was motivated by the seniors this week.