Football trudges along to Virginia

After an absolutely dreadful performance against Connecticut on Saturday, Pitt head football… After an absolutely dreadful performance against Connecticut on Saturday, Pitt head football coach Dave Wannstedt decided that changes need to be made on the offensive side of the ball.

Those changes will involve Pitt’s current most exciting player and one with what’s believed to be similar potential.

Both are freshmen.

In his press conference on Monday, Wannstedt admitted that freshman quarterback Pat Bostick will get his first collegiate start.

He’ll be joined by fellow rookie LeSean McCoy, who has 417 rushing yards in his first four games.

Junior LaRod Stephens-Howling started Saturday’s game, but he will now backup McCoy and still get a chunk of the carries.

Stephens-Howling only had 16 yards against UConn.

“I’m not into flipping guys, but we’ll try to keep them fresh,” Wannstedt said about Pitt’s running back situation. “LaRod has done a lot of good things here and LeSean’s a freshman, so you’re trying to win the game, but at the same time trying to utilize some of the playmakers that we have.”

McCoy had 17 touches, including an 18-yard complete pass to tight end Nate Byham on Saturday, but only carried the ball 11 times.

The dazzling back will get more carries this week, easing some of the pressure on Bostick.

Sticking with Bostick

Quarterback Kevan Smith’s injury against Connecticut is not affecting Wannstedt’s decision to start Bostick.

Smith practiced on Sunday and will be ready to back up his counterpart.

Smith only completed 3 of 9 passes for 29 yards on Saturday, after a similar performance the week before at Michigan State.

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