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PITTSBURGH(AP) Pitt linebacker Scott McKillop is one of the best tacklers in college football, and his statistics prove it. He was anything but that during his first meaningful game as a freshman.

When starter H.B. Blades went down, McKillop was forced to defend against West Virginia quarterback Pat White. McKillop's memories aren't pleasant ones.

"Mentally and physically, any aspect, I wasn't ready to play," McKillop said. "That was an eye opener for me to let me know what I needed to do and where I needed to go."

During that 45-13 West Virginia victory in 2005, White went about anywhere he wanted to go while running for 220 yards. He matched that number a season later as West Virginia won 45-27 at Heinz Field.

Those twin 220-yard games are among four 200-plus-yard games White has had while becoming college football's career rushing leader among quarterbacks with 4,292 yards. A year ago, Pitt found out what happened when a team doesn't let White get outside.

The Panthers limited White to 41 yards, no touchdowns and no long runs - coach Dave Wannstedt said they missed only two tackles during 60 minutes - in a 13-9 upset victory that denied the Mountaineers a trip to the BCS title game.

Obviously, White wants his final Backyard Brawl game against Pitt on Friday to look like the first two rather than the last one. The Panthers understand that giving White the slightest opening can lead to major problems.

Since White began running more frequently four games ago, he has averaged 89.5 yards and scored five of his seven touchdowns. He ran for 200 yards and three touchdowns and passed for two as West Virginia beat Louisville 35-21 on Saturday.

"They started making a transition back to their old offense," Wannstedt said. "The biggest thing that has changed is Pat White carrying the football. They were throwing the ball more and handing it off, now they're back to a little bit more of ... their option stuff. As Pat White goes, so goes their offense and I think that's been evident all year."

Earlier this season, West Virginia coach Bill Stewart was trying to be more balanced to prevent teams from loading up the line of scrimmage to slow White and running back Noel Devine. Against Louisville, Stewart turned White loose.

"Our goal was to get Patrick through the season," Stewart said. "Our goal was to try to win as many games as we could and try to build this program and try to incorporate some type of pro-style passing. We had to come up with a plan for when people load the box."

Or what Pitt did to the Mountaineers last season by limiting them to 104 yards rushing on 41 attempts and 183 total yards.

"One of the best things we did last year defensively against them was that we tackled in the open field," Wannstedt said. "We didn't give them the 40- to 50-yard runs."

The Panthers, however, had a worrisome flashback on Saturday as Cincinnati quarterback Tony Pike used his legs to help lead a 28-21 victory that put Pitt out of the Big East title race.

Pike's rushing yardage didn't resemble White's - nine carries for 33 yards - but he scrambled effectively while completing 26 of 32 passes for 309 yards and three touchdowns.

"Pike hit the gap and took it 10 yards. White, he can hit it and go all the way," defensive lineman Gus Mustakas said. "Pike's more like an NFL quarterback. He hangs in the pocket longer. White, he'll run before he passes if he has an opening. If we let him loose, he'll take it to the house every time."

West Virginia is dismissing the revenge factor for its 101st game against Pitt, but the Panthers are convinced the Mountaineers remain angry and will use that for motivation.

"I don't know if they'll say it, but I know they've been gunning for us all season," McKillop said. "We ruined their season last year, a lot of fans' dreams of playing in a national championship game, so they're going to be pumped for us."