Don’t sleep on the Eagles

Despite a new quarterback, training camp injuries that have major players out for the season… Despite a new quarterback, training camp injuries that have major players out for the season and only 11 returning seniors, Pitt faces Eastern Michigan on Saturday with high, but shaky, hopes.

At a press conference held yesterday in anticipation for Saturday’s game, head coach Dave Wannstedt said to expect new things and not focus solely on Eastern Michigan for this week.

“These opening games are always interesting because you are preparing your football team for what the opponent has done in the past,” Wannstedt said. “When you look at Eastern Michigan on tape, you have to put the record aside. They had about ahalf-dozen games last year where they were within a touchdown of winning.”

Eastern Michigan, the only team from the Mid-American Conference the Panthers will face all year, went 1-11 last season. The last time the teams met on the field was in 1995, with Pitt winning 66-30. That was also the last year Eastern Michigan had a winning season.

While the team as a whole is not to be underestimated, Wannstedt said that he’s confident Pitt is prepared for the Eagles’ veteran offense.

“From an offensive standpoint, they have nine returning starters,” he said. “The quarterback from a year ago missed spring practice, but he is back and healthy now.

“It’s not a surprise for us, and we’ll play well,” he said.

On Pitt’s offense, Bill Stull, the only Panther quarterback to see game-time action during Tyler Palko’s reign last year, will start on Saturday. Wannstedt said he’s confident in Stull’s ability and is happy with the way he performed in camp.

“The more talent that you have, it doesn’t make a difference whether you’re throwing it to LaRod [Stephens-Howling] or to Nate Byham or if you’re throwing it to Marcel Pestano,” Wannstedt said. “Billy believes in throwing the ball to the guy who is open and has confidence that that guy will make a play.

“He has thrown very few interceptions,” Wannstedt said. “We’ve had some deflected passes but as far as decision making goes he hasn’t stood back there and given up sacks or put the ball on the ground. He’s been smart about getting the ball out.

“Even though he hasn’t played in many games, he’s been in a lot of meetings and he’s been through all the practices. He’s prepared himself for this,” he said.

Running forward

Another position Wannstedt expects to get good things from is running back.

“The [running back] situation is the best that it has ever been since I have been here because of experience,” Wannstedt said.

Stephens-Howling will start on Saturday, but Wannstedt said that Conredge Collins, Shane Brooks and newcomer LeSean McCoy will also be in the lineup.

“You have to be careful with those running backs, they have to get into the flow of the game,” Wannstedt said. “You just can’t stick a guy in and let him have two carries and then throw the ball twice and have him pass blocking.”

On special teams, Lowell Robinson and T.J. Porter will both handle kickoff return, and Aaron Berry will return punts. Dave Brytus and Conor Lee are both up for the kickoff spot. Lee, a junior, was the starting place kicker last season while Brytus is a redshirtjunior.

“With a new punter and a couple different return guys, special teams have really been a point of emphasis for us in the off season,” Wannstedt said.

McGlynn day-to-day

One major blow for the Panthers during camp was receiver Derek Kinder’s torn ACL, which will cause him to be out for the season. The most recent injury is running back Kevin Collier’s broken wrist, and senior Mike McGlynn, starting right tackle for a record 31 consecutive games, may also be out for anunknown period of time.

“[McGlynn] did everything in practice the last two days,” Wannstedt said. “He is day-to-day right now, but I think the rest of the group is coming together and is really starting to mesh. The offensive line is just a matter of getting those guys playing together and getting them healthy.”

Opening statements

The Panthers have home-field advantage this week and have won 9 of 10 of their last season openers. “I like our team,” Wannstedt said. “We’ve got so many guys excited about playing, excited about the opportunity to start and go out there and be a part of this thing.”