Freshman tailback LeSean McCoy scored three first-quarter touchdowns and led Pitt to a 34-10 win over Grambling University before 30,852 fans this afternoon at Heinz Field.

McCoy finished with 19 carries for 107 yards. He entered the game in the Panthers' second offensive series, after starter LaRod Stephens-Howling left with an undisclosed injury.

McCoy's first carry was for 25 yards to set the Panthers up with a first-and-10 at the Grambling 46. McCoy finished that drive with a 5-yard touchdown run that gave the Panthers a 7-0 lead.

The Panthers' scoring drive of 10 plays chewed up 71 yards, and McCoy accounted for 47 of those yards.

Then Brian Kaiser blocked a Grambling punt, setting up the Panthers with a first-and-goal at the Tigers' 7. McCoy gave the Panthers a 14-0 lead on the next play with a 7-yard run.

McCoy tacked on a 13-yard touchdown run on the next possession to give the Panthers a 21-0 lead.

Grambling did get on the scoreboard before the first quarter ended when Brandon Landers hit Clyde Edwards with a 29-yard touchdown pass.

The ball was thrown a little out of Edwards reach but he made an incredible diving catch in the corner of the end zone.

The Panthers' offense sputtered for the next few series, but late in the first half, Nate Byham caught a 50-yard touchdown pass from Kevan Smith, giving Pitt a 28-10 lead. Smith started the game and played well, considering it was his first career start.

He completed 15 of 22 passes for 202 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Smith's passing yardage was the most by a Pitt freshman making his first career start in at least 30 years.

The game also marked the much anticipated debut of freshman quarterback Pat Bostick, but he got off to a rough start as his first -- and only -- pass attempt was intercepted by Grambling's John Carter.