There is not much to feel good about for the Pitt football team these days as the Panthers are mired in a three-game losing streak and have lost their past two games by a combined score of 78-28.

Worse, the Panthers have lost another key starter for the season to an injury (tackle Jason Pinkston), and the team has seemingly regressed since the start of training camp.

But, if there is a reason for a glimmer of hope, it is that freshman quarterback Pat Bostick has improved each week and has shown signs that he is the quarterback of the future. Bostick played extensively the past two weeks and earned his first start Saturday in the Panthers 44-14 loss at Virginia.

Bostick was 18 for 31 for 181 yards with an interception and a touchdown. For the season, he has completed 45 of 73 passes (62 percent) for 411 yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions. Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt was pleased with Bostick's performance against the Cavaliers and said he is going to continue to open the game plan each game as he gains experience.

"He did a great job of reading the coverages," Wannstedt said. "He got the ball out of his hands quick and he didn't stand back and hold onto it for too long or panic. And the one interception he threw, it was a mental mistake by the wide receiver, not Pat.

"He made good decisions, he handled himself [in a hostile environment]. I thought he did a very good job. He was accurate with most of his throws, so I am encouraged. He will continue to get better, I believe that, and I think that he'll come out next week [against Navy] and be much improved."

Wannstedt said the game situation -- the Panthers were on the road in a packed stadium and Bostick was making his first career start-- meant the Panthers were "limited" in what they could do offensively, but he doesn't expect that to be the case against the Midshipman.

Film junkie

One thing that Wannstedt said provides Bostick with an edge over many other freshmen quarterbacks is his film study. Bostick is a student of the game, and Wannstedt has compared his study habits and desire to those of Tyler Palko, the former Pitt quarterback. Palko was known to watch film even when nobody else, coaches included, were at the South Side football complex.

"I had to scream at him when I came in on Monday," Wannstedt said about Bostick, who watches film deep into every night long after practices. "He was in here at 7:30 a.m. with a football in his hand, wanting to go out and throw some. I had to tell him "we're not working out today, go to class, go get treatment, go get some rest, take a break."

Quick hits

Wannstedt gave the players a few days off from hitting, but today the Panthers will go hard again in preparation for their prime-time game against Navy Wednesday. "We need to practice," Wannstedt said. "The biggest thing is, having to use three quarterbacks in five games, that's not good on any level, particularly when two of them are freshmen. So, the more time that we can get with our quarterback and our receivers and trying to get in some sync there, the more it will help us." ...Wannstedt said the extra days off will help several players heal. It also will allow some young players who have been thrust into key roles due to injuries some time for their psyche to heal. ... The Navy game was the original target for the return of starting quarterback Bill Stull from a thumb injury, but it doesn't appear as if he is going to be back any time soon. "I have no idea about Billy, we're still just taking it one week at a time," Wannstedt said.