PITTSBURGH — Louisville threw when Pitt expected the run, and ran when the Panthers began anticipating the pass. The Cardinals' offense lined up in empty sets, the wildcat formation and pro-set alignments, yet nothing worked.

Jabaal Sheard wouldn't allow it.

Sheard forced a fumble that led to a touchdown while leading a Pitt defense that never allowed Louisville's offense to generate any momentum, and the Panthers won 20-3 Saturday to stay unbeaten in the Big East.

Ray Graham and Dion Lewis ran for scores in the second half after Pittsburgh (5-3, 3-0) settled for a 6-3 halftime lead on Dan Hutchins field goals of 42 and 26 yards.

Sheard, double-teamed at times, forced two fumbles and had two sacks and three tackles for losses to repeatedly frustrate a Cardinals offense that has scored one touchdown in 10 quarters.

Going into the season, Sheard was supposed to be Pitt's second best defensive end. With 2009 Big East co-defensive player of the year Greg Romeus out nearly all season with a bad back, Sheard has emerged as a game-changing player.

"I think he's the best player in the Big East bar none, offense or defense," Pitt safety Dom DeCicco said. "He's getting double and triple teamed but he's making plays."

Sheard also forced a fumble on Louisville's final play before halftime. For the season, he has 13 tackles for losses, nine sacks, four forced fumbles.

"He's having a phenomenal year," coach Dave Wannstedt said. "He's rushing the passer as good as any defensive end in the country."