Bill Stull is officially Pitt’s quarterback, though it has been assumed he would be since… Bill Stull is officially Pitt’s quarterback, though it has been assumed he would be since the beginning of training camp earlier this month.

Pitt head coach Dave Wannstedt announced at the end of training camp last week that the junior from nearby Seton-La Salle Catholic High School will start Pitt’s season opener this Saturday against Eastern Michigan and gave convincing reasons why.

“[Stull] has performed the best and is the most confident,” Wannstedt said Wednesday after Pitt broke camp with its third intra-squad scrimmage. “He has the confidence of this football team and the coaches right now. He is a ball player. He is a leader. He understands the offense.”

Those were Wannstedt’s feelings even before camp began. The third-year head coach said at Pitt’s media day Aug. 6 that he was confident Stull could run Pitt’s offense.

Stull did that efficiently enough throughout camp, making smart decisions and avoiding a lot of pressure coming from the first-team defense.

“I’ve been waiting a while for this,” Stull said during training camp.

Stull has backed up Tyler Palko for the last two years and did not take a red shirt, despite seeing action in only six games throughout both seasons. Stull completed 6 of 8 passes for 69 yards and a touchdown last year.

Shady shines

Freshman running back LeSean McCoy has been one of the biggest stories, if not the biggest, of training camp. McCoy dazzled nearly everyone who watched him run with both the second and first teams.

Junior LaRod Stephens-Howling is still the starter and took the majority of the snaps with the first team offense. But McCoy, who was once rated as the third-best high school player in the country on Rivals.com, got time with the first-team and will see plenty of game action this season.

Replacing Kinder

After senior receiver Derek Kinder’s season-ending ACL tear early in camp, redshirt sophomore Oderick Turner has assumed the No. 1 wide receiver role with redshirt junior Marcel Pestano at No. 2. Sophomore T.J. Porter has solidified himself as the third receiver.

Behind those three are redshirt sophomore Cedric McGee and freshmen Aundre Wright and Maurice Williams. Wright impressed coaches with his speed throughout training camp and drew plenty of compliments from Wannstedt, who even compared him to Washington Redskins receiver Santana Moss.

“I think in the slot I might have to give it to Aundre Wright,” Wannstedt said after Wright’s solid performance in Pitt’s second intra-squad scrimmage. “He’s the fastest guy on the team, and I think it shows up. He’s a tough guy, too. When he gets down to the goal line, he can play tough.”

Williams performed well late in camp, having several good practices and making an acrobatic touchdown catch while covered well in Pitt’s third scrimmage.

Strong comeback

Senior tight end Darrell Strong had a great camp after disappointing last season and finding himself in Wannstedt’s doghouse – being suspended for two games after making an obscene gesture to the fans at South Florida and being involved in another off-field issue.

Further, Strong reported to spring drills out of shape, prompting strength and conditioning coach Buddy Morris to force him to wear a pink shirt that read “I work out at Curves” while working out with the team. Curves, by the way, is a women’s fitness franchise.

Strong, though, is back in shape, has improved his blocking skills and is Pitt’s second tight end behind sophomore Nate Byham. He’s also now back out of the doghouse and has regained Wannstedt’s respect.

“I couldn’t be happier for how [Strong]’s worked,” Wannstedt said. “He’s in good shape. He’s done everything we’ve asked.

“If I thought Darrell was a bad guy, he wouldn’t be on my team. He has done some immature things that he regrets and some foolish things, but he’s not a bad person. I like Darrell, so that is why I’ve stuck with him.”

Uneven lines

The defensive line outplayed the offensive line exponentially during camp and is the far superior unit. While this is encouraging for the defense, it’s equally as unnerving for the offense.

Pitt is without its best and most experienced lineman, senior Mike McGlynn, who is still recovering from shoulder surgery. There has not been an official timetable for when McGlynn will be completely healthy, and the rest of the offensive line is also somewhat depleted.

Tackles Jason Pinkston and Jeff Otah and guard Joe Thomas have all sat out practices for different injuries, though all three are now projected starters for the opener.

Senior defensive end Chris McKillop was also sidelined with elbow and hamstring injuries, but the rest of the defensive line has been sturdy.

Pat Bostick watch

Freshman quarterback Pat Bostick, after missing the entire first week of camp because of “personal issues,” played in both the second and third intra-squad scrimmages and performed well.

In the second scrimmage, the first in which he could participate, he was 10 for 13 with two touchdowns against the second and third teams.

“He responded well,” Wannstedt said after that scrimmage.

In the third scrimmage, he threw the 30-yard touchdown pass that Maurice Williams hauled in.

Bostick is still listed behind redshirt freshman Kevan Smith for backup duties.

Collier out for season

Sophomore running back Kevin Collier is also out for the season after suffering a fracture in his right wrist during a team scrimmage last week. He’ll take a medical redshirt and resume his remaining three years of eligibility in 2008.

Collier saw time as Stephens-Howling’s backup last season, averaging 3.5 yards per carry and scoring two touchdowns. He was listed as the third running back during camp, behind Stephens-Howling and McCoy.