Pitt offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh understands the frustration with his unit's lack of production because he is feeling the same way. He said the most frustrating aspect is that the 2-2 Panthers have plenty of playmakers who have not been utilized because of poor quarterback play.

But he also said it goes beyond just quarterback, where Bill Stull has been lost to the Panthers since an injury in the opening game.

Cavanaugh said part of the problem is situations -- such as third-and-long or trying to play catch-up -- have handcuffed his ability to call plays that have a chance to be successful.

"We keep getting these silly penalties and turnovers -- these things we just shoot ourselves in the foot with," he said. "Those things put us behind, put us in bad situations and they crushed us against Connecticut [a 34-14 loss]. It is not just turning the ball over. We've been stopping some drives with penalties and getting big plays called back and the other team has scored on turnovers ...

"Our goal the last two weeks, given our quarterback situation, was to go in, protect the football, keep the game close and then have a chance to win it late in the game, but when we failed to protect the football and fell behind, it changed our game plan dramatically."

Cavanaugh said he wants to simplify the offense for freshman quarterback Pat Bostick, who will make his first career start in place of fellow freshman Kevan Smith. But Cavanaugh is not going to make it so basic the Panthers won't have a chance to score.

Still, he will do everything in his power to try and eliminate the mistakes. If that means handing the ball off every down and punting, that's what he'll do.

"We haven't been successful or productive because our quarterback play has been poor," Cavanaugh said. "And we won't put him in the position where he feels he has to go win the game for us. It is not like we're going to run every down, but we have to be precise with our throws.

"But if it comes down to running the ball every down vs. turning it over six times [as the Panthers did against the Huskies], I'll take the former because our defense and special teams are playing well, but they can't compete if we don't give them a chance."

A big challenge

Pitt's defensive line has been consistently good through four games, but the Panthers will face their biggest challenge to date Saturday at Virginia. Defensive line coach Greg Gattuso said the Cavaliers are big like Michigan State's offensive line, but they also have the added dimension of being very athletic.

"They have five linemen and three tight ends that return from last year, so they are not only big and athletic, they are extremely experienced," Gattuso said. "They like to pull and move around some and do a lot of things like that, so they will be one of the best groups we face all year. They do a very nice job of mixing it up, from their powers, to their sweeps, to when they drop back to pass. We have a lot of things we have to worry about.

"I'd compare them size-wise to Michigan State, but Michigan State was trying to just line up and beat you up, where Virginia uses its athleticism, they are agile and they are light on their feet and it is just impressive to me how well they run."

Quick hits

Gattuso said Tommie Duhart is likely to start at defensive tackle Saturday and sophomore John Malecki could make his first start of the season at the other tackle spot, depending on the health of Mick Williams and Rashaad Duncan. Duncan and Williams are expected to be ready by Saturday, but their availability will depend on how much they practice. ... Right tackle Jason Pinkston (shoulder) returned to practice yesterday, but his status for Saturday is still in question.