Pitt defensive tackle Mick Williams had surgery on his left shoulder Friday and will miss the remainder of the season.

Williams, who is a redshirt freshman from Monessen, had missed the past five games with a shoulder injury, but coaches were optimistic that he would be able to work his way back into the lineup.

Coach Dave Wannstedt said losing Williams is tough because he is one of the Panthers' best defensive linemen when he's healthy.

"This is very unfortunate because coming out of training camp, I had him slotted as a starter for us," Wannstedt said at his weekly news conference. "I thought he was really going to make some strides, which he was before he got hurt. He and [defensive end Doug] Fulmer, two guys that were starters on our young defensive line, that we didn't get many opportunities to play [because of injury].

"That's tough and since both guys were redshirted last year, neither guy had an opportunity to take advantage of that redshirt year. That's what bothers me."

Bokor back to offense

Redshirt freshman Craig Bokor has moved back to offensive guard and is listed as the backup to C.J. Davis at left guard for the game Saturday at South Florida. Bokor had moved to defensive tackle before the Panthers' previous game against Rutgers in order to shore up the position, but the Panthers' defensive front has healed some and he is no longer needed as an emergency reserve.

"Well, [defensive end] Chris McKillop was banged up a little bit as was Joe [Clermond] and we had two or three guys fighting through some injuries," Wannstedt said. "They're back and healthy now, so Craig will be back on offense."

Upon further review

Rutgers rushed for 268 yards against the Panthers last week, which has become the norm against the Panthers by any team with a good running back in recent years. The common assumption is that the defense was overmatched and, in most of those games, that has been the case.

But after watching film of the Rutgers game, Wannstedt said the defense played better than the statistics reflect.

"We had horrible field position but we went in at halftime and had only given up six points," Wannstedt said. "Those guys were playing pretty good, I was very pleased with our defense. It is a crying shame that the one big play turned the thing upside down. And those guys didn't have anything to do with the long run.

"And really, if we were going to play that game today and say we are going to hold them to 20 points or less, you'd never say that publicly, I'd take it -- but you'd think about it. The defense didn't play as well as they could have but it wasn't as bad as it seems."

Quick hits

The Pitt-Connecticut game Nov. 11 will kick off at 3:30 p.m. and will be televised on WTAE. ... Wide receiver Derek Kinder, who leads the Big East Conference in receiving yards per game (74.5) and is second in receptions (33), was one of 10 players named as semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award. ... Wannstedt is impressed with South Florida's program, which is in only its sixth season in Division I-A. "They are well coached, they are building all new facilities and size-wise, it is a large school and they have a large base to draw from," he said. "They will always be able to get players because of their location, and if you look at their team, they probably have four or five guys who will be playing on Sundays next year."