PITTSBURGH — James Conner and Tyler Boyd signed with Pittsburgh to help permanently swing the fortunes of a school that can’t seem to stop stubbing its toe whenever sustained success seems within reach.

As far as the two sophomore stars have come in a short time, they’re still learning. So are their teammates.

Pitt let a 10-point halftime lead slip away in a 24-20 loss to Iowa on Saturday that prevented the Panthers from getting off to their first 4-0 start since 2000. Conner ran for 155 yards and a touchdown but was limited to just 23 over his final 11 carries.

“We want to change the program, turn it around from where we’ve been in the previous years but it’s not just going to happen overnight,” Conner said. “It’s not going to happen in one season. It takes time. I think we’re heading in the right direction still.”

Boyd caught 10 passes for 153 yards but Pitt’s last two drives ended with Chad Voytik passes sailing over his head.

“It is what it is,” Boyd said. “You can’t take nothing back. The throw was a little high but I can’t blame him because it’s a team thing. “