PITTSBURGH — Preparing for the game was difficult enough for Rutgers, playing it was tougher still. On a demanding day when the Scarlet Knights couldn't stop Pitt's playmakers, they promised there will be better days ahead.

For them, and for the badly injured Eric LeGrand.

Jon Baldwin caught a 45-yard touchdown pass and set up two other scores with difficult catches, Tino Sunseri threw for three touchdowns and Pittsburgh overcome a series of mistakes in the first half to beat emotionally drained Rutgers 41-21 on Saturday.

Dion Lewis, the nation's leading returning rusher after gaining 1,799 yards last season, gained 130 yards on 17 carries and ran for a touchdown during his first 100-yard game this season. Sunseri was 21 of 27 for a career-high 307 yards and has seven touchdown passes as Pitt (4-3, 2-0 Big East) has easily won its first two conference games.

The Scarlet Knights (4-3, 1-1) played a week after LeGrand, a defensive lineman, became paralyzed from the neck down while making a tackle against Army. A trust fund already has been established to provide support for his care.

"Another week has gone by and another week has been played, and Eric's still in the same situation. Nothing has changed," coach Greg Schiano said. "But he's going to keep moving on and we're going to keep moving on."

To honor LeGrand, Rutgers players wore "Believe" on their helmets,. Pitt players and students signed a large banner wishing him well, and many fans wore stickers bearing Rutgers' logo and the message "Pitt Is Pulling For Eric."