PITTSBURGH -- West Virginia stars Pat White and Steve Slaton weren't satisfied with running all over rival Pittsburgh. Now they're teaming up as a pass combination in a rivalry they've made one-sided with two spectacular games.

White and Slaton crossed up Pitt by teaming as a passing combination in a high-scoring first half, then put away the Panthers with a string of long runs in a comeback second half to lead No. 8 West Virginia's 45-27 victory Thursday night.

The Mountaineers (9-1, 4-1 Big East) beat their biggest rival for the fourth time in five seasons, though not quite as easily as in last year's 45-13 romp in Morgantown in which White and Slaton combined for 399 of West Virginia's 451 yards rushing.

Pittsburgh (6-5, 2-4) led 27-24 at the half before being overwhelmed by West Virginia's playmaking speed in a scoreless second half in which the Mountaineers ran for 371 of their 438 yards rushing.

White threw for 204 yards and hit Slaton on the running back's first two touchdown receptions this season. White then ran for touchdowns of 64 and 19 yards on the Mountaineers' first two possessions of the second half. He finished with 220 yards rushing.