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CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Al Groh figured out a way to keep Larry Fitzgerald out of the end zone.

Virginia snapped Fitzgerald's NCAA record streak of catching at least one touchdown pass at 18 games and recorded five sacks in a 23-16 victory over Pittsburgh in the Continental Tire Bowl.

The Heisman Trophy runner-up, Fitzgerald grabbed 87 passes for a national-best 1,595 yards and 22 touchdowns for the Panthers (8-5) in his sophomore season. His streak of scoring catches easily eclipsed the NCAA mark of 13 set by Michigan State's Charles Rogers last season.

But in what may be his final college game, Fitzgerald caught five passes for 75 yards.

"I was definitely part of the game plan, they just did a terrific job of taking me out of the offense," Fitzgerald said. "I don't play for records. The record was fun and and I thank my teammates for helping me get it."

Despite his status as a true sophomore, there is speculation that Fitzgerald will petition the NFL for early entry to the draft. The NFL prevents players from entering the draft just two years out of high school.

"It was a phenomenal streak, especially when you take into account the special coverages he drew," said Pittsburgh coach Walt Harris.

Fitzgerald last failed to catch a touchdown pass in an October 12, 2002 contest against Notre Dame. But Groh, a longtime defensive assistant under Bill Parcells and a former NFL coach, made sure his defensive backs got physical with Fitzgerald and devised a scheme that gave Pitt quarterback Rod Rutherford little time to throw.

"We want to be a proud defensive team," Groh said. "When you go up against a great player like Larry Fitzgerald, you need a team effort to contain him and that's what we got."

Despite the pressure, Rutherford passed for 244 yards and two touchdowns. However, on the Panthers' last possession, defensive end Brennan Schmidt forced a fumble by Rutherford and linebacker Kai Parham recovered at the Pittsburgh 37 with two minutes left.

The Cavaliers then put the game away with a 17-yard run by Wali Lundy to the Pittsburgh 17 and consumed the rest of the clock.

Virginia's Matt Schaub threw for 240 yards, including a 52-yard touchdown to Heath Miller, and was sacked just once.

The Cavaliers (8-5) won the first-ever Continental Tire Bowl last December, defeating West Virginia, 48-22, here at Ericsson Stadium. Once again, the crowd was dominated by Virginia fans, making it appear like a home game for the Cavaliers.

Lundy, who had four touchdowns in this bowl last year, rushed for 91 yards, including a one-yard scoring run. But Lundy was upstaged by Charlotte native Alvin Pearman, who enjoyed quite a homecoming with 104 yards on seven carries and six catches for 32 yards.

Meanwhile, Brandon Miree rushed for 108 yards on 23 carries and caught four passes for 44 yards, including an 18-yard TD for Pittsburgh.

Connor Hughes kicked three field goals for Virginia, while David Abdul missed two field goals and an extra point for Pittsburgh.