PITTSBURGH - Maybe it was the uniforms, maybe it was the opposition. Whatever it was, Pitt quarterback Tyler Palko doesn't want to go back - either to the Panthers' previous look or the way they played for three games.

Palko shrugged off two early Pitt turnovers to throw for three touchdowns and Raymond Kirkley scored in the first two minutes of each half Saturday in a 41-0 victory over Division I-AA Youngstown State, the Panthers' first win under new coach Dave Wannstedt.

Pittsburgh (1-3), one of the Big East's top offensive teams a season ago but held without a touchdown on offense in its previous two games, avoided its first 0-4 start since 1984.

Pitt opened 0-3 for only the third time in 33 years, mostly because of an inefficient offense, so it switched to throwback light blue and gold uniforms with the script "Pitt" helmet worn during the first Johnny Majors era from 1972-76.

"I liked it," Palko said. "We went back to the days when Pitt really was it. Hopefully, it was good luck. I wish we could wear them on the road - it takes you back to the days when Pitt was down and dirty."

Youngstown State (3-1) averaged 40 points in its first three games against decidedly weak opposition, but didn't convert on third down until the fourth quarter and never seriously threatened while being outgained 528-152.

Palko was one of the nation's top quarterbacks statistically over the second half of last season, with 17 touchdowns and two interceptions as Pitt won five of its final six, but had only one touchdown and four interceptions this season in losses to Notre Dame, Ohio and Nebraska.

"But you can't doubt things," Palko said. "You can't doubt the play calling, the coach, the players. Things didn't work out. We needed some confidence and we got that today. ... We definitely can play better, but this was a step in the right direction."

The Palko-to-Greg Lee combination that hooked up for 10 touchdowns last season re-emerged as Lee caught six passes for 141 yards and a 55-yard touchdown. Lee made four catches for 117 yards in the third quarter, setting up Kirkley's 12-yard scoring run with a 55-yard catch on the second play of the half, then catching a 27-yard touchdown pass later in the quarter.

"We did all the things we knew we could do," Lee said. "It feels good after a win - we haven't had a win since South Florida."

That was in Pitt's final 2004 regular-season game. Since then, the Panthers had dropped four in a row, counting a Fiesta Bowl loss to Utah. Also, Wannstedt had lost 11 of 12, going 1-8 as the Miami Dolphins coach before resigning last year.

Pitt was sluggish for a time after quickly opening a 9-0 lead in the first quarter on a 39-yard Palko to Kirkley scoring pass play on its second play from scrimmage, following a 19-yard Penguins punt.

Palko also threw a 3-yard scoring pass to tight end Erik Gill midway through the second quarter after Pitt threatened two other times, only to turn the ball over twice near the goal line.

The Panthers pulled away in an 18-point third quarter, mostly because Lee kept getting downfield behind the Penguins' slower defensive backs, and Wannstedt emptied his bench in the fourth quarter.

David Abdul, Pitt's kicker in 2002 and 2003 but now a backup to the injured Josh Cummings (knee surgery), had field goals of 22 and 40 yards but missed an extra point. Kirkley, who began the season as Pitt's No. 4 tailback, added 83 yards on 17 carries.

"Offensively, just to make some plays and score a few points, that was good," Wannstedt said.

Penguins quarterback Tom Zetts came into the game 42-of-58 for 513 yards with six touchdowns and an interception, but finished 6-of-19 for 29 yards and an interception. Illustrating the Penguins' frustration, he completed one pass to himself for a 14-yard loss on a batted pass.

The Pitt defense was so dominating, linebacker H.B. Blades dropped to the turf and did five pushups after dropping an apparent interception during the second half. Wannstedt makes his players do pushups during practice for such misplays.

"I knew the Pitt defense was good, they knew they were good and they verified that against us," Youngstown State coach Jon Heacock said.