Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt reiterated yesterday that the Panthers' starting quarterback for their game Saturday against Grambling will not be determined until Thursday at the earliest and most likely will be a game time decision.

The Panthers are searching for a quarterback to fill in for starter Bill Stull, who is out four to six weeks with a thumb injury. Redshirt freshman Kevan Smith will battle freshman Pat Bostick for the starting job, but Wannstedt said picking a quarterback is not going to be his top priority this week. Instead, it will be fixing the Panthers' anemic running game and an offensive line that was unable to dominate the line of scrimmage against Eastern Michigan.

Wannstedt has promised since he arrived that he would transform the Panthers into a physical, power-rushing offense. He believed this would be the year that would happen.

Yet Saturday night against Eastern Michigan, Pitt rushed for 130 yards on 42 carries (3.1 yards per carry) and managed six first downs rushing.

The problem was a familiar one -- Pitt's offensive line had far too many breakdowns to give the running game a chance to get any momentum.

Wannstedt said that fixing the running game has to be his main focus because the Panthers will line up Saturday with an inexperienced quarterback regardless of who wins the job.

The coaches want to make the run a prominent part of the game plan to take some pressure off a young quarterback, and Wannstedt said Pitt will have to run the ball much better to be successful this season.

"That was the one main disappointment for us from Saturday, the way we ran the ball," Wannstedt said. "I was really excited about unleashing our running game, but it is evident that we have a lot of work to do in that area. I promise you we are going to be working our tails off to get this corrected.

"We didn't block well, and it wasn't just the linemen, though that's where it begins. Sometimes, it was the tight ends missing a block or the fullbacks, but the bottom line is we just didn't get it done up front."

Wannstedt's frustration with the running game was clearly directed at the blockers, not the running backs. He said he was happy with the performance of freshman LeSean McCoy, who ran 10 times for 68 yards and said starter LaRod Stephens-Howling (16 for 67) played well considering he did not get much help.

As for the two young quarterbacks, Wannstedt said he has faith in both and is confident the team will rally around whoever starts. Regardless of who starts, Wannstedt said, both will play.

"They believe in both guys and, in any situation like this, the players just have to trust the coaches will make the best decision for the team," Wannstedt said. "We are going to have to do whatever enables us to score the most points -- but the good thing is I really believe our quarterbacks have a great supporting cast, and that will help."

NOTES: Wannstedt said that fifth-year senior offensive lineman Mike McGlynn (shoulder) will see increased action against Grambling, but he is not sure at which position. "He's worked some at center and guard during camp and last week we got him some reps at tackle, so we'll see where he can help us the most, but we're definitely getting him ready to play," Wannstedt said. "We expect him to go 30 to 35 plays". ... Tight end John Pelusi's injury is a bruised shoulder, and he is not expected to miss the game. Cornerback Aaron Berry (ankle) is day-to-day. ... Punter Dave Brytus was named Big East special teams player of the week. Brytus, a junior from West Allegheny High School and a transfer from Purdue, punted five times and averaged 45.4 yards per punt in the win against Eastern Michigan. His longest punt covered 56 yards.