Stull says he’ll play, Wannstedt still not sure
November 5, 2008
While Pitt’s win over Notre Dame in quadruple overtime gave Pitt something to boast about, fans… While Pitt’s win over Notre Dame in quadruple overtime gave Pitt something to boast about, fans can’t help but wonder when starting quarterback Bill Stull will return to action. Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt told reporters after the Notre Dame game that Stull would return this coming Saturday against Louisville but said earlier this week in a press conference that he can’t guarantee anything. ‘I’m sure everyone is anticipating and anxious to know about Billy,’ said Wannstedt. ‘He has been cleared.’ ‘ But Wannstedt said Stull’s reclamation, performance and confidence during this week of practice will determine whether he plays against Louisville. Stull missed the Notre Dame game because of a concussion he suffered during Pitt’s loss to Rutgers on Oct. 25.’ Stull said yesterday that he will play Saturday, but Wannstedt was still unsure. ‘If he was healthy enough to play, and he thought that, and the doctors thought that ‘mdash; then he would have played,’ said Wannstedt. Winning at home This season Pitt is 4-0 on the road, with notable wins against South Florida, Navy and Notre Dame. The Panther losses, both to underdog teams, were played at home on Heinz Field.’ ‘You have to look at each game individually,’ said Wannstedt. ‘We weren’t as sharp as I’d like us to be in those losses.’ While the loss to Bowling Green was unexpected, it was the first game of the season. The Rutgers loss, however, came after Pitt regained a national ranking. Looking at the Rutgers game alone, there was nothing sharp about the Panthers’ performance. In fact, in the last four years, Pitt hasn’t pulled out a win over the Scarlet Knights. And like Rutgers, Pitt under Wannstedt hasn’t beaten Louisville, either. What to expect With a conference game against Louisville this Saturday, the Panthers are in a prime position to exercise their dominance in the Big East. ‘We’re eight games in, and we have four games left,’ said Wannstedt. ‘Everybody is playing conference games now, and every week is a big week. They don’t get any easier.’ Louisville will be a challenge for Pitt, especially on defense. Weaknesses in the secondary exposed Pitt in the Rutgers game, and Wannstedt said it could be costly for the Panthers if adjustments aren’t made.