As a freshman, McCoy was the point-man for the "Wildcat offense" which the Pittsburgh Panthers unveiled in a September 2007 game against the Michigan State Spartans. In the Wildcat offense, McCoy lined up as quarterback in a shotgun formation and took direct snaps from center, A Sporting News article credited him for having one of the "best starts by a freshman running back at Pittsburgh since Tony Dorsett", while the Wildcat offense was criticized. "McCoy might need to be a combination of both Dorsett and Dan Marino for the Panthers to start producing some offense other than through his running." On October 2, 2007, ESPN writer Pat Forde featured McCoy under the "instant impact" section of his column. Forde had this to say, "Pittsburgh. When starting running back LaRod Stephens-Howling got hurt, McCoy stepped in and Wally Pipped him. McCoy has 503 rushing yards and six touchdowns, averaging six yards a carry." McCoy had a streak of four consecutive games, from October 10 to November 3, where he rushed for at least 120 yards. He rushed for a season-high 172 yards against Michigan State on September 15, just his third game at Pittsburgh. McCoy finished his freshman year ranked third in the Big East Conference and 25th in the NCAA Division I FBS (formerly I-A) in rushing yards with 1,328. McCoy was named to the Freshman All-American team by Rivals.com and was also a first team All-Big East selection by Rivals.com. In his final game of his freshman year, McCoy ran for 148 yards against rival West Virginia in the 100th Backyard Brawl to help the 28-point underdog Panthers defeat the then #2 Mountaineers. That win also knocked West Virginia from a probable spot in the BCS National Championship Game.
