ATHENS, Ohio - Dion Byrum crossed the goal line and gently set the ball down on the artificial turf, relieved that it was finally over.

Not quite.

Byrum's 85-yard interception return in overtime - his second touchdown return of the game - brought thousands of jubilant fans onto the field to celebrate coach Frank Solich's triumphant home debut Friday night, a stunning 16-10 victory over Pittsburgh.

Byrum, who has returned two interceptions and an option pitch for touchdowns in two games, was mobbed by teammates and students caught up in the drama.

"I was getting killed," the senior cornerback said. "The whole team was laying on top of me. It was not a good experience."

For Ohio, it doesn't get any better than this.

Led by their defense, the Bobcats (1-1) pulled off one of their biggest victories in a generation, providing Solich with a proud moment in the national spotlight. The former Nebraska coach was brought in to rebuild one of the nation's worst football programs.

There's a lot of work ahead, but this was quite a start.

"It means a great deal to us," Solich said. "There are a lot of people to thank."

None more than Pitt quarterback Tyler Palko, who threw three interceptions - two that Byrum returned, another in the end zone.

"I let a lot of people down tonight," Palko said. "I feel very badly that I let all of those guys in that locker room down. I had one of those days and there's no excuse for it."

The Panthers opened the season ranked No. 23 under first-year coach Dave Wannstedt, but have started to 0-2 for the first time since 1984. Next week, they play at Nebraska.

"Any time you play anybody and you turn the ball over three times - two of them for touchdowns, one in the (end) zone - you're going to have a tough time winning," Wannstedt said. "I don't care if it's the Pittsburgh Steelers."

Pitt's LaRod Stephens returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, but the Panthers' offense self-destructed behind Palko, a second-year starter who was 13-of-26 for 120 yards with three interceptions.

Before the game, Ohio gave away 10,000 pairs of thunder sticks, 10,000 rally towels and 2,000 T-shirts, commemorating Solich's debut. A Peden Stadium-record crowd of 24,535 slapped the sticks and waved the towels while the Bobcats were introduced to pregame fireworks.

Only 13 seconds into the game, the sticks and the crowd went silent after Stephens returned the kickoff untouched.

New coach, same old Ohio.

"That's about as bad a start as you're going to get," Solich said. "You've got people in the seats, the players are really excited. To have someone return the opening kickoff kind of takes all the wind out of you."

There was reason for pessimism. The Bobcats hadn't been on national television since 1969. In the last 35 years, they've had 29 losing seasons, spawning a local tradition. Students go to games, watch the band at halftime, then leave en masse.

This time, the Bobcats gave them a reason to stay put.

Byrum's 38-yard interception return tied it, and the Bobcats' only drive of the first half set up Brooks Rossman's 21-yard field goal for a 10-7 halftime lead. The 110-member band played, and everyone settled in for the second half that was much like the first. Pitt's offense never got going until the closing minutes of the fourth quarter.

Compounding the Panthers' problems: Right tackle Mike McGlynn and left guard Dominic Williams were hurt on the same play in the first quarter, limping off the field together. McGlynn returned three series later, but it didn't make much of a difference.

Palko also struggled against Ohio last year, completing only six passes in a season-opening 24-3 win that left the Panthers 7-0 all-time against the Bobcats.

He had a chance to tie it after Rossman missed a 32-yard field goal attempt with 2:19 to go. Palko completed 7-of-8 passes on a 70-yard drive to Josh Cummings' 27-yard field goal with 7 seconds left.

His only pass in overtime ended it and brought thousands of fans onto the field, waving those thunder sticks while fireworks went off overhead. Byrum fought to his feet and trudged off the field.

"The game was over. I could go home," he said, wearily. "It was a long, tough game."