Published: August 22, 2007 11:32 pm      

Pitt picks Stull to start at QB

PITTSBURGH — Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt made it official when he named junior Bill Stull the Panthers’ starting quarterback after the team’s final intrasquad scrimmage on Wednesday afternoon.

Stull, the only Pitt quarterback with any previous playing time at the collegiate level, beat out redshirt sophomore Kevan Smith and true freshman Pat Bostick. And while he was the frontrunner since spring practice ended, there were always some questions about him. But not by Stull.

“It feels good, finally,” Stull said. “I guess once I signed and came to Pitt, I’ve always dreamed of being the starting quarterback in my hometown. I played football here in high school (Seton LaSalle), and what better way to progress than to be the starting quarterback for the University of Pittsburgh.”

Smith has played well, at times, the past two weeks during training camp, but his inexperience was evident more often than not. He only started one season at Seneca Valley High School and was redshirted last year. Bostick, a blue-chip recruit and fan favorite since he signed with Pitt in February, was at a disadvantage after he left camp for personal reasons before it even started and didn’t return for eight days.

“I think it’s pretty obvious that Billy Stull is the starter at quarterback,” Wannstedt said. “He’s performed the best, and right now he’s the most confident in what we’re doing. He has the most confidence from this football team. He has the most confidence of the coaches right now.

“So, Billy will be the starter, and Kevan Smith and Pat Bostick will continue to work, and they’ll improve. They’ll work hard enough during the week (in practice), as we get into this season, that they’ll get better and better. And, if need be, they’ll be ready to play.”

While several starting positions are settled, including quarterback, Wannstedt noted that two areas need to be sorted out.

“The linebacker thing, we’re still working through some issues,” Wannstedt said. “We’re pretty set in the secondary, and we’re pretty set on the defensive line. We’re going to rotate those guys. The offensive line just has to get back healthy, but we know who the five starters are today with Mike (McGlynn) not being in there today.

“The tight ends are kind of like the defensive line. All three guys are starters. Nate Byham, Darrell Strong and John Pelusi. The running back thing, we’ve got great depth there. So, the offensive line and linebacker are the two spots that we’re working through.”

The scrimmage wasn’t much of a workout for many starters, as a handful were rested due to various bumps and bruises. Starting tailback LaRod Stephens-Howling had just one carry, but it went for 44 yards.