Published: September 10, 2007 11:30 pm      

A painful year for the Panthers

PITTSBURGH — One by one, Pitt’s football team has lost key components to its depth chart, and when it was determined Sunday that junior defensive tackle Gus Mustakas needed season-ending knee surgery it marked the third starter to go down in a month and fifth player overall.

Mustakas was Pitt’s second-leading tackler and was becoming a real force in the middle.

Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said Monday that sophomore Tommie Duhart and redshirt sophomore Mick Williams are competing for the starting spot.

Pitt (2-0) could have used Mustakas this week when it faces Michigan State (2-0) Saturday in East Lansing, Mich., but Duhart and Williams will get extensive action instead. Wannstedt also noted that no other players will be moved to add depth at defensive tackle, and no freshmen will lose their expected redshirt years at this time.

“It’s a tough deal for Gus and a tough deal for us, but we do have some depth there,” Wannstedt said. “So, we’ll call on Tommie Duhart and Mick Williams. They’ll step up and be called on for a more needed manner as far as repetitions and stuff. So, we’ll be fine there, and everybody else is fine and ready to go.”

Wannstedt seemed to be referring to junior tailback LaRod Stephens-Howling, who suffered from bruised ribs against Grambling and had just three carries. X-rays showed no broken ribs, but he could be limited this week. That would be the only reason, Wannstedt said, that freshman LeSean “Shady” McCoy – who rushed for 107 yards and three touchdowns against Grambling – would supplant Stephens-Howling as the starter.

“I thought McCoy went in there and did a nice job, and the more opportunities he gets the better he’ll become,” Wannstedt said. “So, it was a step for him to play that much, and this week will be another step in the right direction. ... It’s not as much how well he’s playing as compared to LaRod.

“LaRod’s the starter. With LeSean, it comes down to where LaRod is health-wise and who gives our team the best chance to win. And if LaRod is slowed up a little bit, then it’s an easy decision. If Shady takes all the practice reps or most of them, then it’s an easy decision. But LaRod hasn’t done anything to not deserve to start.”

Pitt’s depth at tailback took a hit when sophomore Kevin Collier suffered a broken wrist in a preseason scrimmage and needed season-ending surgery.

Pitt already had lost starting wideout Derek Kinder to season-ending knee surgery a week into camp and offensive guard Chris Jacobson to knee surgery shortly after that. Then, in the regular-season opener, starting quarterback Bill Stull suffered a thumb injury on his throwing hand that needed surgery and at least a few weeks to heal.

“You get guys hurt, but this many is a little surprising,” Wannstedt said. “We really haven’t had many guys banged up, and generally you get a one- or two-game injury. ... So, it’s been unusual, but as we keep recruiting good and keep getting depth and talent, when these unfortunate things happen, other guys step in and take over.”