Why does it seem that the beat writers for two different papers seem to be writing about the same thing on the same day? There’s a simple and easy answer for that. It depends on who Pitt makes available for interviews. It’s an access thing. This isn’t like the NFL where media members can roam the locker room and talk to who ever they want. The media can request players, but it’s Pitt’s discretion to decide who to make available.

So with LeSean McCoy and LaRod Stephens-Howling talking, the storyline is obvious. Their relationship and how Stephens-Howling has handled being passed by McCoy on the depth chart.

Which is all well and good, but nothing did more to soothe Stephens-Howling’s soul than celebrating in the end zone Saturday at Heinz Field after scoring the winning touchdown in Pitt’s 24-17 upset of then-No. 23 Cincinnati.

“People were saying after I scored my touchdown that I did a little celebration. But I would just say there were a whole lot of things that were bottled up in me that came out, and that was just to let me know that I can still do it and I’ll keep on trucking,” he said.

There’s nothing but praise, of course for Stephens-Howling. From McCoy, Coach Wannstedt and RB Coach Dave Walker.

“He’s the example of what you are looking for in a student-athlete, a teammate and a friend,” Walker said. “You know what you are going to get from him all the time, and it will always be everything he has. Everybody has roles on our team and his has been adjusted a little bit but he has handled it as well as you can.

“He hasn’t pouted and he’s played at a high level when his number is called. But the bottom line is, we need both guys and we’ll give the ball to whoever is hot.”