Utah knocks off No. 15 Pittsburgh in OT

Utah freshman Brian Blechen intercepted a pass on the first play of overtime, setting up Joe Phillips for a 21-yard field goal that gave the host Utes a 27-24 victory against No. 15 Pittsburgh last night.

Pittsburgh had rallied with 14 points in the fourth quarter, forcing overtime on Dan Hutchins' 30-yard field goal on the final play of regulation.

But after Utah won the toss and elected to play defense, Blechen quickly doused any hopes the Panthers had of completing the comeback when he bolted in front of Pitt receiver Mike Shanahan and grabbed Tino Sunseri's pass.

Jordan Wynn passed for 283 yards with three touchdowns for Utah, two to Jereme Brooks.

In other Top 25 games:

* At Ohio State, Terrelle Pryor tossed three touchdown passes, Brandon Saine rushed for 103 yards and two scores, and the No. 2 Buckeyes rolled over Marshall, 45-7, in the teams' season opener. Pryor completed 17 of 25 passes for 247 yards.

* At Miami, Jacory Harris completed 12 of 15 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns before sitting out the second half, and the 13th-ranked Hurricanes blanked Florida A&M, 45-0, to open the season.

* North Carolina receiver Greg Little won't travel to Atlanta for the 18th-ranked Tar Heels' opener against No. 21 LSU because of the ongoing NCAA investigation into academic improprieties at the school, a person with knowledge of the decision told the Associated Press.

The NCAA has twice visited campus looking into whether Little and senior defensive tackle Marvin Austin received improper benefits from agents. Both players worked with the second team for much of training camp.

The probe expanded to academics last week, though the school has refused to specify how many players could be involved or are in jeopardy of missing the LSU game. Austin was suspended Wednesday.

* Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz agreed to a 5-year contract extension through 2020 that the university said would make him the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten. The new deal bumps Ferentz' salary from roughly $3 million per season to nearly $3.7 million, starting immediately.

* Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus was declared ineligible for two games, including the Sept. 11 game against visiting Penn State, for accepting nearly $2,000 in improper benefits during two trips to Miami.

An NCAA ruling also ordered Dareus, defensive MVP of the national championship game, to pay $1,787 to a charity of his choice before regaining eligibility.

Coach Nick Saban said Alabama will appeal the penalty.

* No. 4 Florida will be without reserve receiver Frankie Hammond Jr. for its season opener tomorrow against Miami of Ohio. Coach Urban Meyer said Hammond, who was charged with driving under the influence this summer, could be back next week against South Florida.

* Notre Dame tight end Mike Ragone, from Camden Catholic, is doubtful for tomorrow's game against Purdue, as he continues experiencing headaches, vertigo issues and an ear infection.

* Nebraska linebacker Will Compton could miss tomorrow's opener against Western Kentucky with a foot injury. Sophomore offensive lineman Brandon Thompson will miss the game with an undisclosed injury. *