SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Pittsburgh's defense, burned by six touchdowns passes by Rutgers a week earlier, came up big against Jimmy Clausen and Notre Dame.

After allowing the Irish to score two touchdowns 83 seconds apart just before halftime to open a 17-3 lead, the Panthers held the Irish to two three-and-outs and a four-and-out to open the second half, allowing the offense to tie it up. Pittsburgh then kept the Fighting Irish out of the end zone for four overtimes en route to a 36-33 victory on Saturday.

For Pitt, it was a measure of redemption following the 54-34 loss at home to Rutgers.

"We just wanted to come out here and take care of things and show the nation," said linebacker Scott McKillop, who led the Panthers with 15 tackles. "It was an opportunity to be on national television and show the nation what our team's all about."

Pitt (6-2) returned to the rankings with the victory at No. 25.

The Panthers were reminded all week how the 2006 team opened the season 6-1 before losing the final five games and missing out on a bowl game. They also were reminded how just like that season, the most difficult opponents this season came in the second half of the season. Two straight losses would have added to those concerns.

"We wanted to show everybody that last week was a fluke, and we came out and we beat these boys," Pitt defensive tackle Mick Williams said. "We needed it really, really bad. We needed it more than anything. First of all, it brings the confidence back up on our tem and it shows everybody that we are real."

After Clausen was 14-of-23 passing for 173 yards in the first half, the Pitt defense held him to 9-of-21 passes for 98 yards in the second half and the four overtimes. The Panther defense also slowed down the Notre Dame running game in the second half, allowing 4.8 yards per rush on 14 carries in the first half and 1.9 yards per carry on 25 chances after halftime.

The Panthers now return to Big East play, where they have a 2-1 record and are tied for second place, a game behind West Virginia (3-0). But the Panthers control their own destiny. If they win their final four games, they will finish in first.