Okay, not many surprises on the depth chart for the YSU game (PDF, pg. 3).

Joe Thomas gets the nod over Chris Jacobson at Left Guard. By all accounts this was an even thing, with neither clearly above the other. In the end, Thomas’ experience seems to have given him the nod.

Max Gruder over Manny Williams for the WILL (weakside) Linebacker.  Not a shock, really but Williams was switched to that side after the spring practice where he competed on for the SAM.

At Free Safety Andrew Taglianetti is listed ahead of Elijah Fields, though it is with an “OR.” Still, that Tags was placed ahead is yet another disappointment regarding Fields.

Dan Hutchins is listed ahead of Kevin Harper for Placekicker duties. Meaning he has both punting and kicking to start the year. Lucas Briggs has the kickoff duties.

Aaron Smith is listed as the primary for Punt Returner ahead of Cameron Saddler.

Saddler, though, has the kickoff return duties which he shares with Anwtuan Reed.

Tino Sunseri is the back-up QB. So, it looks like Pat Bostick will get his redshirt year (probably).

One other interesting thing. Oderick Turner is not the de facto starting WR opposite Jonathan Baldwin. He is listed behind Baldwin at the Split End and is also listed at Flanker behind Cedric McGee — though with the “OR” designation.

Coach Wannstedt’s press conference addressed most of these and confirmed most of the reasons for things in the depth chart.

Kickoff is 1pm and hopefully the lots will be open very early.

A collection of individual pieces to get out of the tabs.

Jonathan Baldwin is expecting big things from himself. As are the fans and coaching staff. Especially now that they are more confident in his route running.

“He wants to be a great player,” Pitt receivers coach Bryan Bossard said. “The first sign is to understand what don’t you do well and work on improving it. JB didn’t know much about receiver play – he was a tight end at Aliquippa that they split out wide to throw fades to – so there’s a learning curve here, a lot of adjustments.”

Just how steep of a curve?

Bossard said Baldwin didn’t know how to run many routes last season.

“Slant, fade,” Bossard said. “That’s probably it, to be honest.”

Even so, Baldwin finished with a team-high of 22.4 yards per catch and tied for the lead with three receiving touchdowns, including 52- and 60-yarders.

The one-handed catches became a daily occurrence.

“He’s just showing off,” Bossard said with a laugh, “but he’s got a knack for doing that. I used to get on him a lot last year, catching it with one hand, but sometimes you’ve just got to understand as long as he makes the play.”

And if the QB — whoever is out there — can deliver the fade pass with any degree of accuracy, Baldwin should have a lot more TDs. That or it should set up a lot of 1st and goals for a rushing TD after the pass interference penalties.

Another story on Dorin Dickerson wanting to end his career at Pitt with a strong finish.

“I feel a lot more comfortable at tight end,” Dickerson said. “I have more experience there now than any position at Pitt. I feel good. I can’t wait for the season to start to see what I can do with the position.”

With new offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti calling the plays Dickerson could get called upon much more than he did last season when he caught 13 passes for 174 yards and those two touchdowns.

During the offseason, Cignetti and head coach Dave Wannstedt made it a priority to develop more ways for Dickerson to be involved in the offense. He is used in conventional sets, but expect to see him in motion in the form of a H-back as well as split wide, where his speed can be used to create mismatches against linebackers.

“I know we’re excited about finding ways to get him the football,” Wannstedt said. “No one has worked harder in the offseason. He worked his tail off this spring. I’m a Dorin Dickerson fan. No one wants him to have success more than I do. You hope when you look back at the end of the year, you can say he was a huge part of what we did. That’s the plan going in.”

Everyone always talks about those players that seem to have been around forever at a school — the 9th year seniors — but Dickerson is the opposite in my mind. It still seems like he should only be a sophomore or junior. Can we classify him as a 3d year senior?

They still love Bill Stull in the Mahoning Valley.

This cheer, however, came from the visitors.

It was directed at native son Bill Stull, who grew up in Poland, Ohio — a suburb of Youngstown — before becoming a record-setting passer at Seton-La Salle High School and, later, the starting quarterback for the Panthers.

“When he went in, the Youngstown State fans in the corner cheered,” Bill Stull Sr. recalled. “I was so impressed and so happy that they remembered him because the youth football in Youngstown is huge.”

It’s all full circle or something like that.

Phil Bennett gets his touching profile piece, which of course discusses the tragic loss of his first wife to a lightning strike. Not breaking new ground, and as mentioned it was mildly surprising that he his still at Pitt with his wife and family still in Texas.

Bennett had some good job offers after last season but decided to come back to Pitt for a couple of reasons. One, he likes working for Dave Wannstedt, who gave him permission to miss Pitt’s first spring scrimmage this year so he could attend Maddie’s senior high school debutante ball. “One of the best guys I’ve ever worked for,” said Bennett, who has coached at 11 colleges, including two stops at Texas A&M. And two, he loves coaching these Pitt players. Why not? His defense figures to be terrific this season and carry the team as it sorts out its quarterback issues.

“I just felt like we left some unfinished business here,” Bennett said. “We should have won the [Big East] conference last season.”

Bennett was a great hire for DC, and I don’t think anyone will begrudge him when he leaves. Keeping him for a 3d year would be a big bonus.

It can’t be helped. Week opponent from 1-AA or not, I’m ready for the start of the season.

Getting up before the sun rises, driving into the sunrise, meeting in the South Side with friends not seen since the season ended, loading and consolidating the food, drink, chairs, table into a few cars and heading over to the lot. Grilling, drinking, talking and just enjoying things. Then the game and feeling that yes, maybe, Pitt could do something special this year. Can’t wait.

Meanwhile in Youngstown, the goal is a little more modest. Score a TD against a 1-A oppenent.

It began in 2005 with a 41-0 loss at Pitt, followed by a 37-3 loss to Penn State in 2006, while the past two seasons the Penguins fell to Ohio State 38-6 in 2007 and 43-0 last year.

Many believe this year’s squad might just be the best of the teams that will take on the Panthers on Saturday. Although preseason predictions have placed the Penguins No. 6 in their own conference, the Missouri Valley Football Conference, and in the early preseason national Football Championship Subdivision polls the Penguins weren’t even ranked among the Top 25.

The 2009 Penguins are a very young team, but they are experienced.

Head coach Jon Heacock, now in his ninth season, has only 12 seniors, but most of them will man key positions both offensively and defensively.

So, now we know what Pitt’s defensive goal should be. No TDs. Keep the streak going.

The only news to wait for today is the first official depth chart of the season. Not that  many questions loom. Will it be Jacobson or Thomas starting at Left Guard? Is Byham sufficiently recovered from his concussion to start at TE? Who will be listed as kicker — Harper or Hutchins? Kick and punt returner?

Those are the only real questions to await this afternoon.