The reports immediately after yesterday’s scrimmage were closer to negative on the offense outside of LeSean McCoy. In the papers today, the stories seemed to have mellowed on the offense. Focusing on Bill Stull being the starter in all but official title.
Coach Dave Wannstedt didn’t anoint him as the starting quarterback for the Pitt football team, but junior Bill Stull is a step closer to earning the job after another solid performance in the Panthers’ second intrasquad scrimmage Saturday morning at the UPMC Sports Complex.
“I think it’s Billy’s job today, but I’m not going to name a starter yet,” Wannstedt said. “We’ve got another scrimmage coming up (Wednesday) and a couple more two-a-days, but I’m pleased with the progress that Billy’s making. (So), it’s Billy’s job, and we’ll see what happens.”
Kevan Smith’s performance was totally skipped to instead focus on Pat Bostick as the other QB practicing with the 3d team.
Bostick was sharper at 10-for-13 for 79 yards and two touchdowns, with a long toss of 17 yards and no picks. He played almost exclusively with the third-team players Saturday morning.
“It was good for Pat,” Wannstedt said. “He got about 25 plays, and I think he did great. When you talk about just showing up four days ago and coming in and getting with his teammates and the media and all that’s involved with that, from the start I thought he responded well and got his feet wet.”
When asked if he thought Bostick — who left camp before it started and returned Tuesday — still had a shot at the starting job, Wannstedt said no. But he quickly added: “I think we just keep competing.”
Media requests to speak with Bostick after practice were — and I know this will be a shocker — denied.
The one constant was that LeSean McCoy has everybody totally impressed with his talent.
But, judging by his performance yesterday in the second scrimmage of the preseason, it’s only a matter of time before he becomes the starter.
McCoy, Pitt’s most-hyped freshman, put on a scintillating display of running skills. He rushed for 78 yards and scored a touchdown on 10 carries and was by far the star for an inconsistent first-team offense.
McCoy gave a good deal of credit to the O-line. Most aren’t buying it since Stephens-Howling and Collier were generally stuffed on most of their carries.
Considering the other talent at RB in the Big East — Ray Rice, Steve Slaton (and Devine), Donald Brown and possibly Mike Ford (at USF) — McCoy running wild forces a cynical thought that the Pitt run defense is still the same run defense. It’s just that Pitt may have a RB with similar talent.
