Stull to start at Blue-Gold game

Just as quickly as it arrived, spring practice for Pitt football is coming to an end.

And… Just as quickly as it arrived, spring practice for Pitt football is coming to an end.

And after 14 practices in four weeks, it all comes down to one thing: the annual Blue and Gold game.

With 17 returning starters, the anticipation around the 2008 season is building.

Here’s a look at some key position battles and interesting matchups that will be highlighted Saturday night.

Quarterbacks: Bill Stull, Pat Bostick, Kevan Smith and Greg Cross

The starter at the beginning of last season before a season-ending injury to his right thumb, Stull ran the first-team offense all spring.

But Bostick and Smith are much improved from last year and are right on his tail.

Bostick was the starter last season after Smith struggled as Stull’s replacement.

Cross has athleticism and mobility, which Wannstedt said will give Pitt a chance to successfully run the Wildcat offense, which combines rushing options and passing plays.

Wannstedt said yesterday that if Pitt had a game today, Stull would be the starting quarterback.

Stull will wear a red jersey in the Blue-Gold game to warn teammates not to hit him.

The coaching staff wants Stull to avoid injury at all costs.

Running backs: LeSean McCoy, LaRod Stephens-Howling, Shariff Harris and Kevin Collier

With LeSean McCoy and LaRod Stephens-Howling sealed into the first two running back spots, there’s a big-time battle going on between Harris and Collier for the third spot.

Collier lettered his freshman year, averaging 3.5 yards per carry and scoring two touchdowns.

But after injuring his wrist last year, Collier sat out and is just now getting comfortable back on the field.

Wannstedt said Harris, a redshirt freshman-to-be, has impressed the coaching staff this year with a great spring.

“He’s probably a little faster than what people give him credit for,” Wannstedt said of Harris.

“I know we have a serious battle going on for that third running back spot.”

Wannstedt said yesterday that McCoy will be limited in the Blue-Gold game, so Harris and Collier may see more action.

Receivers: T.J. Porter, Cedric McGee, Aaron Smith and Maurice Williams

With first-team all-Big East performer Derek Kinder making his way back from an ACL injury and Oderick Turner returning, a battle has emerged for the last wide receiver spots.

Porter, McGee, Smith and Williams have all had success this spring, and wide receivers coach Bryan Bossard said he’s still not sure which players are going to step up and take on a bigger role in the offense.

Although he doesn’t know what to expect when the lights turn on at Heinz Field, he said he loves the competition he has seen.

Of the four receivers, Porter and McGee saw the most time with the first-team offense. But Williams stood out during last Saturday’s scrimmage, pulling in seven catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns. Along with Williams, Smith has also shown improvement, getting reps this week in practice with the first team during four-receiver sets.

Offensive line: John Bachman, C.J. Davis and Robb Houser

This week, Bachman took reps with the first team at left guard. Bachman started the spring competing with junior-college transfer Houser at center but struggled with the quarterback-center exchange and was moved to the outside.

Wannstedt said he’s happy with Houser but still isn’t comfortable with any of the backups. He said he might try the injured Davis, who’s been playing left guard, at center when he returns.

Dorin Dickerson vs. Dom DeCicco

There haven’t been many players who’ve had as many position changes as Dickerson. Starting as a receiver then moving to linebacker last year, Dickerson never quite found his comfort zone with Pitt.

But since moving to tight end this spring, Dickerson has found success. He has been a matchup problem for the Pitt linebackers and safeties because of his speed but has had some trouble blocking at times.

DeCicco, who has been playing strong safety with the first team, has found himself matched up one on one with Dickerson throughout the past few weeks. Wannstedt said he has seen a lot of improvement out of DeCicco and is comfortable with where the team is at the safety position.

Both DeCicco and Dickerson have made their fair share of plays in the spring and could come face to face several times during the scrimmage.

See Monday’s Pitt News for more coverage of the Blue-Gold game.