PITTSBURGH — It was a day of firsts for Kevan Smith.

The Seneca Valley graduate and redshirt freshman quarterback made his first start for the University of Pittsburgh on Saturday, threw his first collegiate touchdown pass and notched his first win as the Panthers rolled to a 34-10 victory over visiting Grambling State at Heinz Field.

Though coach Dave Wannstedt did not officially name Smith the starter until shortly before the game, Smith was planning on being under center for Pitt's second game of the season.

"Coach never came up to me during the week and told me I would be starting," said Smith, who was competing with true freshman Pat Bostick for the starting nod after Bill Stull suffered a right thumb injury in the season opener against Eastern Michigan. "But I was taking all the snaps with the first team during practice. I was preparing to start."

Smith ended the day completing 15 of 22 passes for 202 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

"With it being his first start, I thought Kevan did a good job of managing the game," Wannstedt said.

"I'm very satisfied with the way I played today," said Smith. "We made some strides on offense. Personally, there are a few things I have to work on."

Smith's touchdown pass was a 50-yard strike to sophomore tight end Nate Byham that put Pitt up 28-10 with 3:38 left in the second quarter.

The Panthers were facing a second-and-14 on the play. Byham ran his route toward the right sideline but, after out-jumping Grambling defensive back Jeffery Jack for the ball at the 33-yard line, was able to turn up field and went untouched into the end zone.

"My first touchdown pass felt great," Smith said. "It was supposed to be a short pass, but Nate was able to get a score out of it."

Smith was also involved in a big-gainer for Pitt late in the third quarter.

Facing a second-and-five from his own 10-yard line, Smith play action faked before hitting sophomore wideout Oderick Turner for a 61-yard bomb on a post route that set up Conor Lee's second field goal of the day.

"We were backed up in our own end and I didn't think I'd get the call," said Smith. "But we got the coverage we expected and I can't give the guys on our offensive line enough credit. They gave me great protection today."

Two plays that didn't turn out so well for Smith and the Panthers (2-0) were a fumble recovered by Grambling midway through the second quarter and an interception early in the third quarter.

The fumble came with Pitt facing a third-and-27 on its own 24-yard line.

Smith was hit by Grambling's Christian Anthony, but appeared to have the ball secure.

But just before hitting the ground, the ball popped out and was recovered by Grambling defensive end John Scroggins.

The play led to a Tigers field goal that cut Pitt's lead to 21-10.

"The fumble surprised me a bit," said Smith. "The play was supposed to be a little flare pass. But (the fumble) was definitely my fault. That's something I'll get better with as I get more experience."

The interception came on a first-and-5 play from Pitt's 35 in which Smith tried to hit wideout Marcel Pestano on an out route near the right sideline.

Grambling cornerback DeMichael Dizer dove in front of Pestano and, fully extended, made the interception.

Pitt's defense made sure the turnover did not turn into points for the Tigers.

"The interception was a great play by (Grambling's) defensive back," Wannstedt said. "But there's no excuse for the fumble."

Bostick did see action late in the game, but the only pass he attempted was intercepted.

Smith, who is expected to start Saturday at Michigan State, is looking forward to playing a Big 10 school on the road.

"I'm going to prepare as hard for Michigan State as I did this past week," he said. "I felt great in the huddle today, meshing well with the other players.

"We just have to go into next week with the mentality that we're the better team."