The QB shuffle

Check out a photo slideshow from the Pitt vs. Eastern Michigan game Pitt quarterback Bill… Check out a photo slideshow from the Pitt vs. Eastern Michigan game Pitt quarterback Bill Stull left the game in the third quarter to have X-rays on his right thumb.

It wasn’t a contact injury, according to head coach Dave Wannstedt, who said Stull said somebody reached in during the play and pulled his thumb back.

Stull left the field for X-rays, but nothing further was released after the game.

Day of firsts

What better time for several Pitt football players to record firsts than on the first game of the year?

Aside from the obvious – junior quarterback Bill Stull making his first collegiate start and redshirt freshman Kevan Smith seeing his first game action – several other Panthers logged initial accomplishments:

Redshirt sophomore fullback Shane Brooks scored his first collegiate touchdown, a 1-yard run up the middle in the first quarter to put Pitt ahead, 7-3.

Brooks added his second career score on Pitt’s first drive of the third quarter – another 1-yard run.

Redshirt freshman cornerback Ricky Gary intercepted his first collegiate pass off Eastern Michigan quarterback Andy Schmitt in the first quarter.

Redshirt sophomore tight end John Pelusi caught his first collegiate pass from Stull in the third quarter. Pelusi missed all of last season after undergoing knee surgery.

Several true freshmen also saw their first game action, including safety Dom DeCicco and end Jabaal Sheard.

Gary started at corner because Aaron Berry, who dropped back for punt returns, twisted his ankle and did not play at corner.

Old-time Batch

The last time Pitt and Eastern Michigan met, a 66-30 Pitt victory at Pitt Stadium in 1995, Steelers backup quarterback Charlie Batch was the signal caller at EMU.

Batch, a Pittsburgh native, threw for 264 yards on 21of 38 passing in the Eagles’ loss.

Before the fantasy

Before the game, Pitt honored several members of the 2002 team that defeated Oregon State, 38-13, in the Insight Bowl that year.

In that game, the Panthers held current St. Louis Rams running back and fantasy gem Steven Jackson, then the Pac-10 rushing leader for the Beavers, to 34 yards on 19 carries.

Brytus kicks off season

Punter Dave Brytus handled the kickoffs, which were moved back five yards to the 30-yard line this year. He did not record a touchback, which now requires a 70-yard kick to accomplish.

“His kickoffs were good,” Wannstedt said of Brytus.

One-two punch

LaRod Stephens-Howling started the game at running back, but freshman LeSean McCoy entered the game in the third series and had some flashy runs.

McCoy’s first collegiate carry was as 6-yard sweep to the left, but he ripped off a 29-yard gain up the sideline at the end of the third quarter that could have gone for a touchdown had he not been slightly tripped by an EMU defender.

“I was a little nervous at first, but then I started to get comfortable,” McCoy said.

McCoy had another electric run in the fourth, shaking and baking his way through the EMU defense for a 19-yard gain.

“He’s a playmaker and everyone saw that tonight,” Wannstedt said.

McCoy finished as the game’s leading rusher, taking 10 carries for 68 yards. Stephens-Howling ended up with 67 yards on 16 carries.

A master of his own

Eastern Michigan’s punter, Zach Johnson, a Ray Guy Award candidate to be the best collegiate punter, hit a 57-yard punt after the Eagles’ second three-and-out possession.

Zach Johnson the golfer won this year’s Masters.

Jumpin’ Dorin

Sophomore Dorin Dickerson saw action at outside linebacker behind starter Adam Gunn but jumped offside once, and nearly twice, during the same series.

The second time, the jump was induced by a false start.

McGlynn keeps streak

Fifth-year senior lineman Mike McGlynn, who was held out of the game because he is still recovering from off-season shoulder surgery, played for one play during the end of the game to keep his streak of games played alive.