Pitt offensive guard Matt Maiers finally had made it into the starting lineup, and he was not about to let the little twinge in his knee force him out of the game. So he ran back to the huddle and prepared for the next play.

That was a mistake.

On the he next play, he felt something tear in that same knee. It was his anterior cruciate ligament, and it ended his season after three games.

"I was so upset because that Toledo game was my first start and I really felt like I was playing well and coaches were happy with what I was doing," Maiers said.

"The play before I tore it was actually when I weakened it because I twisted it awkwardly. I could feel something wasn't quite right, but I wanted to play. The next play, as soon as I took a step, it tore. I knew exactly what happened.

"Now my quest is to get back to that level and then go beyond that."

Maiers' injury was part of the bad luck that dogged the Panthers' offensive line last year.

A player would play well, then be injured. One player would return to the lineup, and another would be hurt. It was a tough cycle. And it was made worse because others, such as All-Big East tackle Rob Petitti, played despite being less than 100 percent. That left the coaching staff scrambling to put together a competent line each week.

Injuries have resurfaced this year, but starting center Justin Belarski, who has fought through back spasms and other bumps and bruises, said the line is ready to go.

"I've had some nagging things, but I feel pretty good, certainly better than I did last year," Belarski said.

"And I think the rest of the guys are in good shape, too. We feel like we've come together, even though we've had some different lineups throughout camp. I don't think the important thing is having the same five guys out there every day.

"That helps, but it is more important that the five guys who are out there all have the same goal and all be on the same page, and that's where we've been."

The line's health was very much in question in training camp, but it seems to be improving each day. Starting right guard John Simonitis returned to practice last week, and left guard Rob Frederick, who was out with a foot injury, might be ready Monday when the Panthers are expected to play South Florida in the opener.

If Frederick can play, the Panthers will have four solid guards to rotate (including starting left guard Charles Spencer) and two centers in Belarski and redshirt freshman Chris Vangas.

Having such depth will be important because it likely will be hot and humid Monday in Tampa. Plus, the Bulls have one of the most athletic defensive fronts the Panthers will face this season.

"I think it will be a lot of fun to play down there in that atmosphere," Maiers said.

"I don't think the heat will be as much of a factor because we've all worked so hard and conditioned enough that we should be ready to play. Still, it is nice to have enough guys to be able to get some guys a rest.

"This is a big game for us, not just for the offensive line, but for the whole team. We need to be ready, and I think we will be, too."

The questions about the line make Maiers one of the most valuable players on the team because of his versatility. He has played almost every offensive line position in his career and could step in at any of them. . He will see his share of playing time at right guard and probably will play some at both guard positions depending on Frederick's health.

Maiers is one of several players who hold the key to Pitt's success One prevailing theory is that with a first-year starter at quarterback, the Panthers will need to run the ball effectively early in the season to keep the pressure off Tyler Palko's shoulders.

Belarski disagreed in part. He thinks running the football is the key to winning, regardless of who is at quarterback.

"We need to run the ball, period," he said.

"It doesn't matter who is under center, how old he is or how experienced he is, we need to be able to run the football well. At times last year, we weren't able to do that, and it hurt us.

"As an offensive line and a team, our goal is to consistently run the football."

The Panthers' interior line figures to be under fire all season.

As a team, Pitt averaged only 3.2 yards per carry and only 117 yards on the ground per game last season. Against Notre Dame, the Panthers managed only 8 yards rushing. They had 10 against West Virginia and 26 against Miami. The Panthers' offensive line allowed 43 sacks.

But Belarski said it's time to look ahead not back.

*

NOTES -- There was still no word whether or where quarterback Luke Getsy would transfer. "We haven't made a decision yet, but it's coming real soon," said Don Getsy, Luke's father. ... Starting left tackle Rob Petitti did not practice because he wasn't feeling well. ... Mike McGlynn and Dale Williams lined up as first-team tackles. Harris said he has not decided who will start at right tackle. ... Harris also was undecided about who will start at weakside linebacker. "I think those battles will go down right to the very end."