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EL PASO, Texas -- Cameron Scarlett scored on a 1-yard run and recovered a fumble in the end zone for a second score to lead Stanford to a 14-13 victory against Pittsburgh in the Sun Bowl on Monday.

The Cardinal (9-4) finished on a four-game winning streak, much the same way it did two years ago when Stanford won the Sun Bowl for a season-ending six-game streak. Making a school-record 10th straight postseason appearance, Stanford has won four of its last five bowl games, with two of those victories coming in the Sun Bowl.

The Panthers (7-7) lost their fourth straight bowl game and sixth in the past seven after falling to playoff championship finalist Clemson in the ACC title game. The past three losses have been in four years in under coach Pat Narduzzi.

Stanford struggled offensively throughout the game but was playing without five starters: tailback Bryce Love, receiver Trenton Irwin, tight end Kaden Smith, left tackle Walker Little and right guard Nate Herbig.

In fact, the Cardinal did not score in the first quarter, representing its first scoreless quarter of play in a bowl game since being shut out in the third quarter of the 2014 Rose Bowl Game against Michigan State.

"Pitt's a very physical football team with two outstanding runners," Stanford head coach David Shaw said. "As indicative of our entire season, we had more guys get banged up and guys stepped up and played. Thankfully, guys didn't stay out very long. Guys were able to come back in and make plays and keep fighting. Can't say enough about the heart of some of our older guys."

Scarlet finished with 91 yards on 21 carries while filling in for Love, who missed the game due to injury. Scarlett was honored as the C.M. Hendricks Most Valuable Player, while on the defensive side, Thomas Booker was recognized as the Jimmy Rogers, Jr. Most Valuable Lineman.

The Cardinal was 0 for 8 on third downs before K.J. Costello hit JJ Arcega-Whiteside for a 12-yard completion. A 49-yard pass to Arcega-Whiteside followed, and Scarlett recovered Costello's fumble for the go-ahead score on the next play with 11:28 left.

Pitt, which had a 10-7 halftime lead and was up 13-7 early in the fourth quarter, was led by tailback Darrin Hall, who had 16 carries for 123 yards and a score.

"Our defense gave up some yards, but we didn't give up a bunch of TDs," Shaw said. "We made them kick a couple of field goals, and that's the difference in the ball game. It's not a beauty contest. It's a football game, and I'm thankful we were able to win it."

The Cardinal has been able to reload each year under head coach David Shaw, who is 82-26 overall (55-17 Pac-12). Shaw has never won less than eight games in a season, and his Cardinal has played in four Pac-12 title games (3-1). Stanford opens at home against Northwestern on Aug. 31.