October 3, 1998

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Matt Lytle threw four touchdown passes, including three to Latef Grim, as Pittsburgh routed Akron 35-0 Saturday.

Lytle, who was sacked 17 times in his previous two games, completed 12 of 17 passes for 208 yards in three quarters. Grim caught eight passes for 151 yards.

Pittsburgh (2-2) had lost consecutive games to ranked opponents, Virginia Tech and Penn State.

Lytle led a 62-yard touchdown drive on Pitt's first possession, hitting Grim with a 12-yard touchdown pass. In the second quarter, Lytle threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Grim, then connected with Terry Murphy on a 25-yard score.

That was the first of two touchdowns set up by Akron (2-2) turnovers. Pittsburgh safety Seth Hornack intercepted James Washington's pass to give the Panthers the ball at the Akron 36.

On the first series of the second half, defensive tackle Demond Gibson recovered Washington's fumbled snap at the 19. Three plays later, Rickey Mendenhall ran 11 yards for a touchdown and a 28-0 lead.

Pittsburgh had a 98-yard touchdown drive later in the third quarter that included a 40-yard pass to Grim. He and Lytle teamed for the touchdown on a 4-yard pass.

Akron freshman Zac Derr missed field goal tries of 50 and 41 yards in the first quarter.