ESPN College Football

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Josh Cummings kicked a 27-yard field goal to give Pittsburgh the lead on the first possession of overtime, and cornerback Mike Phillips then forced a fumble to preserve the Panthers' 20-17 win over Boston College on Saturday.

Boston College (4-2, 1-1 Big East) won the toss and elected to start overtime on defense. After gaining just 15 yards on seven plays, Pitt (4-2, 2-1) took the lead on Cummings' kick.

On the ensuing possession, Eagles quarterback Paul Peterson completed a pass to Larry Lester on third-and-10. Lester was close to a first down when he was hit by Phillips and dropped the ball. Pitt linebacker Thomas Smith recovered the fumble to clinch the win.

The Eagles forced overtime with a 10-play, 89-yard drive that ended with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Peterson to Lester with 3:26 left. Lester was wide open after defensive back Darrelle Revis slipped on the wet turf.

The drive was kept alive when Pitt's Josh Lay was called for pass interference on fourth-and-4 to give the Eagles the ball at the Panthers 15. Boston College had started the drive pinned on its own 11 after a 79-yard punt by Adam Graessle.

Peterson finished the game 32-for-53 for a career-best 367 yards and two touchdowns, but Boston College was held to a season-low 56 yards rushing.

Tyler Palko was 12-for-27 for 132 yards and ran for 55 yards and a score for Pitt. Raymond Kirkley added a 2-yard touchdown run for the Panthers.