Player of the game

Dion Lewis, Pittsburgh running back

The 5-8, 195-pound freshman ran for 159 yards and one TD on 28 carries. It was the 10th 100-yard rushing game for Lewis, who also snagged the Meineke Bowl most valuable player trophy.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Pittsburgh trailed 17-16 and lined up for a 47-yard field goal with 1:55 to play, but UNC defensive lineman Cam Thomas was penalized for being offside, moving the Panthers forward. Pittsburgh made a 33-yard field goal four plays later, and UNC ran out of downs on their ensuing possession.

STAT OF THE GAME

UNC was flagged for eight penalties for 78 yards, including the costly offside penalty in the fourth quarter. Pittsburgh had four penalties for 26 yards.

WHAT THIS LOSS MEANS

UNC posted back-to-back eight-win seasons but fell short of its first nine-win season since 1997, when UNC was 11-1. Even though UNC missed its goal of topping the 2008 record, the players insisted that the season was a step forward, not back, for the program.

-- BRIANA GORMAN