PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) -- David Priestley returned to the starting lineup and passed for 375 yards and four touchdowns in leading error-prone Pittsburgh to a 38-15 victory over winless Rutgers on Saturday.

Defensive tackle Demond Gibson scored on an interception return as the Panthers (4-3, 2-2 Big East) rolled up 517 yards in offense and sent Rutgers (0-7, 0-4) to its eighth straight loss over the last two seasons.

This latest loss came just 48 hours after athletic director Robert E. Mulcahy ended speculation about the future of Scarlet Knights' coach Terry Shea by announcing that he would be back in 2000 for a fifth season. Shea is now 7-33 in four-plus seasons.

Pittsburgh (4-3, 2-2) did its best to end Rutgers' drought, turning the ball over five times and committing three costly penalties that basically gave Rutgers all its points. The Panthers held the Scarlet Knights to a season-low 239 yards in total offense, including 21 rushing on 30 carries.

Rutgers was one of four winless Division I-A teams entering this weekend. South Carolina, Ball State and Buffalo were the others.

Priestley, who had not started since the Panthers' season opener, threw three 7-yard touchdown passes, connecting with wide out Latef Grim, tight end Kirk McMullen and halfback Nick Goings, who also caught a 35-yard scoring pass.

Priestley finished 25-of-36 with an interception.

Rutgers backup quarterback Chad Schwenk ran for a 1-yard touchdown and threw a 54-yard touchdown pass to tight end L.J. Smith as the Scarlet Knights closed to 31-15 in the third quarter. Both scores came after third-down penalties by the Panthers kept drives alive.

Pittsburgh fumbled on its first two possessions, including one by fullback Mark Moothart at the Rutgers 1 on the opening drive of the game.

Priestley finally got Pittsburgh on the board early in the second quarter, hitting Grim (8 catches for 118 yards) to cap an 11-play, 81-yard drive that ignited a 24-point quarter.

After Nick Lotz extended the lead to 10-0 with a 32-yard field goal, Gibson broke the game open. He reached up at the line of scrimmage and intercepted a quick slant pass by Mike Jones and returned it 9 yards for a 17-0 lead with 2:40 left in the half.

An interception by linebacker Scott McCurley got the ball back three plays later and Priestley made it 24-0 with his 7-yard TD toss to Goings 53 seconds before halftime.

McMullen's TD catch early in the third quarter extended the lead to 31-0.

Pittsburgh receiver Antonio Bryant had eight receptions for 157 yards, but he also lost two fumbles after long gains, the second resulting in a touchback.

John Turman had started the last five games for Pitt before being replaced this week by Priestley.