Pitt's defense played extremely well in the 27-3 win Saturday against Eastern Michigan, but that doesn't mean defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads didn't see room for improvement.

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Saturday

• Game: Pitt (1-0) vs. Grambling State (1-0), noon.
• Where: Heinz Field.
• Radio: WWSW-FM (94.5) and WBGG-AM (970).

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"I'm extremely pleased that, when we looked at the tape, we missed only two tackles for a total of 11 extra yards," Rhoads said. "But I saw seven or eight plays where we had a player loaf, and we'd like to get to the point where we don't have one play where we have a loaf or a lack of effort from any player."

Rhoads is scraping to find things wrong with the way the defense played, which is a testament to just how good that unit was in the opener.

The Eagles had only eight first downs, 145 yards -- 39 rushing -- and averaged only 3 yards per play. And the one scoring drive covered only 31 yards and ended in a 27-yard field goal.

Given the Panthers' shaky quarterback situation -- starter Bill Stull is out with a thumb injury leaving redshirt freshman Kevan Smith or freshman Pat Bostick as the starter -- and the fact that the running game struggled, the defense might have to be even better Saturday when the Panthers play host to Grambling.

"I've always believed if you are in the right spot and give great effort, you have a chance to play great defense every week, and that's what we expect," coach Dave Wannstedt said. "We can be better on defense, a lot better, but we have to improve as a team. You don't say, as a head coach, that 'we have to do more in this one phase.' But players aren't stupid, they know where your strengths are and the areas where you are playing a little catch up."

Rhoads and some of the players downplayed the notion that they are under more pressure and said the biggest problem facing them is Grambling's high-powered spread offense and strong-armed quarterback Brandon Landers.

"They are very disciplined at what they do and they are very good at what they do," said cornerback Kennard Cox. "They are very quick, they are athletic -- they'll put a lot of pressure on us. This is a better passing team [than Eastern Michigan]. But we're not even thinking like [we need to shut them out], we're just worried about doing what we have to do on every down and let everything else take care of itself.

"We are behind Kevan Smith 100 percent just like we were behind Bill. We just have to keep our heads strong and stay together as a team."

Did Kennard let the secret out about which quarterback will start Saturday?

"Right now, he should be," Cox said. "It is his time."

Rhoads said the Tigers run a four-wide set most of the time -- something Eastern Michigan did little of -- and that Landers, who threw for 303 yards and four touchdowns in a 31-10 win against Alcorn State in their opener, has plenty of weapons to utilize. More than anything, Rhoads said, the Tigers will test the Panthers' depth.

"Anytime you are going to face four wide receiver sets for two-thirds to three-quarters of the game with that much speed involved it wears you out," Rhoads said. "We have to be able to keep guys fresh."

NOTES -- Offensive lineman Mike McGlynn confirmed that he'll be starting Saturday at right guard in place of sophomore Joe Thomas. ... Wannstedt said both freshman quarterbacks have practiced well this week but he will wait until game time to announce the starter. "When you are dealing with two young kids, I don't want to affect either one. And you have to be careful that when you name a starter that the other doesn't get down because it is more than likely you are going to play both of them anyway. So I think the best way to go about it is to take our time and have them both ready to play."