Frank Cignetti accepted a new job in February, becoming Pitt's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

And when he did, he walked straight into the throes of an unavoidable quarterback situation.

So, what has he done since?

How has he dealt with the situation in these spring practices wherein three quarterbacks are jockeying for the starting job?

Naturally, Cignetti has refused to audible; he didn't check down into the conservative play. Instead, he let it all fly, telling the three in the midst of the battle -- Bill Stull, Pat Bostick and Tino Sunseri -- exactly the situation.

"The first meeting I had was easy, and what we talked about, we just sort of put it all out there for those guys," Cignetti said. "I told them, 'There is a depth chart set, right now, today. Billy Stull is the starter, Pat Bostick is second team and Tino Sunseri is third team.' "

The talk then shifted, with Cignetti explaining that just because fifth-year senior and incumbent Stull was the starter now, junior Bostick penciled in at No. 2 and Sunseri, a redshirt freshman the third quarterback as it stood, it wasn't set in stone.

"I then told them, 'I want you all to have the same goals, and I would hope you have the same goals and aspirations,' " Cignetti said. " 'All three of you young men should have the same goal, and that is to be the starting quarterback at the University of Pittsburgh. If that isn't your goal, then you probably shouldn't be competing for this job, you should be doing something else.'

"All of them have an understanding that there is a depth chart right now but it can change depending on how they perform."

And if yesterday's practice was an indication, one could deduce Sunseri is making a strong push, even though he went through a redshirt season last year while the other two quarterbacks saw game experience, to be considered for ample playing time once September rolls around.

Yesterday, Sunseri showed a zip and accuracy the other two did not possess, throwing the ball with decidedly more velocity in many of the drills. Then, on the goal line is where Sunseri shined and showed his versatility as a passer, throwing two touchdowns in the span of three plays, one a laser beam to the outside, another a touch pass across the middle.

After practice, as he spoke of all three quarterbacks, Cignetti mentioned how beneficial it is to have Sunseri competing with (and against) veterans.

"I think Tino learns from Pat and Billy, but I think that Pat and Billy also understand they better respect that competition that Tino is bringing to the table," he said.

While he wasn't asked, point-blank, who will be the starter or who has an edge at this point -- and in fairness, it is too early to make such decisions -- Cignetti was unwavering in his assertion that all three have an equal shot to be the starter.

"In my eyes, it doesn't matter if you are a fifth-year senior, or a junior or a redshirt freshman, there is just one bottom line," he said. "The bottom line is that the starting quarterback at the University of Pittsburgh will be the quarterback who gives us the best chance to win football games."

NOTE -- After initially making a verbal commitment to Pitt in August, Allderdice senior defensive end Will Clarke changed tack and signed with West Virginia yesterday. At 6-feet-6, 260-pounds, Clarke is the first Allderdice player to sign with a BCS school since Pitt signed Curtis Martin.