PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh found a pretty effective way to keep quarterback Tom Savage’s jersey clean.

Hand it to running back Isaac Bennett instead.

Running through gaping holes, Bennett ran for a career-high 240 yards and three scores as the Panthers held off Old Dominion 35-24 on Saturday night.

ODU quarterback Taylor Heinicke threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns but couldn’t lead the Monarchs to their first win over a Bowl Championship Series opponent. ODU cut an 18-point deficit to four late in the third quarter, but Savage’s 5-yard touchdown run gave Pitt enough cushion to survive.