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Saturday

• Game: Pitt (1-0) vs. Grambling State (1-0), 12 p.m.
• Where: Heinz Field.
• Radio: WBGG-AM (970).

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Fifth-year senior Mike Mc-Glynn's return to Pitt's offensive line has seemed imminent for some time, even though Panthers coach Dave Wannstedt had always maintained that he would take a wait-and-see approach because of McGlynn's offseason shoulder surgery.

That speculation ended yesterday when Wannstedt announced McGlynn will be in the starting lineup Saturday when the Panthers play host to Grambling at Heinz Field.

The decision is surprising given that McGlynn has been limited at practice for so long; he was medically cleared to play just last week. But it might say a lot more about Wannstedt's disappointment with the offensive line's performance in the season opener this past Saturday.

While Wannstedt didn't announce which position McGlynn will play, he'll likely replace sophomore Joe Thomas at right guard. Wannstedt also issued a warning to the rest of the starters on the line: One of them will be benched come game time if they don't improve in a hurry.

"We're going to work him at center and guard this week," Wannstedt said about Mc- Glynn yesterday. "He is the most experienced and knowledgeable offensive linemen that we have and he's capable of playing any of the three positions for us. I want to see a few of these offensive linemen practice this week. I'm not too pleased with how we played last week and we need to get back to work.

"We've got a lot of work to do, so I am not going to make any concrete decision until I see how they respond and how they work and how they prepare."

Wannstedt was then asked if that meant all of the starting offensive linemen were in danger of being demoted if they don't practice well.

"Yes, yes they are," he said. "I think if you ask the entire group, man to man, everyone would say 'I can and I need to play better,' and I think the way you gain confidence is at practice. We have to make sure we don't give anybody the impression that we're OK or that anybody has a job locked up."

The problem is nothing new, though. The line struggled throughout training camp and even struggled in spring drills.

Still, Wannstedt said he believed the problems are because of injuries and the lack of a consistent lineup. He was certain the line would develop into a team strength once the starters were established and had time to work as a unit.

Instead, the line was pushed around by the defensive front of Eastern Michigan, which doesn't bode well for future contests, considering the Eagles are a lower echelon Mid-American Conference school that lost to the Panthers, 27-3.

McGlynn, who has started the past three seasons at right tackle, should be an upgrade no matter where he lines up. But he hasn't taken many meaningful snaps since last season because he sat out much of the spring and almost all of training camp.

Wannstedt realizes there is some youth and inexperience in the line, but he doesn't want to use that as an excuse for the Panthers rushing for only 130 yards in the opener.

"[Eastern Michigan] did some things that were different and they came out right off the bat and started pressuring and moving," Wannstedt said. "Was it anything that we hadn't seen before? No, but we didn't handle it well. I understand Chris Vangas and Jason Pinkston were making their first start, and Joe Thomas is a true sophomore, so there is some newness there."

NOTES -- Wannstedt addressed the quarterback situation but did not give freshman Pat Bostick or redshirt freshman Kevan Smith the edge in the competition. "They're close right now, Pat has closed the gap," Wannstedt said. ... Wannstedt said Ricky Gary will start at corner ahead of Aaron Berry for the second consecutive game even if Berry's ankle has healed. ... Quarterback Bill Stull had surgery on his right thumb Sunday and will wear a splint on his hand for 10 days before starting rehabilitation.