The Pitt Panthers' run defense often failed when it was tested last season.

Lake Fong, Post-Gazette With a year's experience under his belt, Clint Session will be a key player in Pitt's defense. Click photo for larger image. Scouting Report Matchup: Pitt (0-0) vs. Ohio (1-0), 7 p.m. today, Heinz Field. Pitt is favored by 17 1/2 Radio: WPGB-FM (104.7 FM), Fox Sports Radio (970 AM) and the Pittsburgh Panthers radio network. Pitt: Walt Harris enters his eighth season as the Panthers' coach with a 44-40 record. Is undefeated in openers and 23-9 in its past 32 games. ... Is 22-1 all time against Mid-American Conference schools, including 6-0 against Ohio (average score, 41-6). ... Beat Ohio, 27-14, at Heinz Field in 2002. ... Was supposed to play South Florida Monday, but the game was postponed because of Hurricane Frances. ... Have only two returning offensive starters -- receiver Greg Lee and left tackle Rob Petitti. Ohio: Coming off a 1-11 season. ... Coach Brian Knorr is in his fourth season and has an 8-28 record. ... Beat VMI, 42-14, in opener. The 42 points represented the Bobcats' most since 2002 ... Is an experienced team with 19 returning starters -- 9 on offense, 8 on defense and 2 specialists. ... Freshman RB Kalvin McRae rushed 18 times for 100 yards and two touchdowns in the Bobcats' victory last week. ... Had 459 yards of total offense against VMI. Hidden stat: Pitt has averaged 36.3 points in its seven openers under Harris.

Three running backs gained 200 yards or more against the Panthers, and Miami had two 100-yard rushers in its 28-14 win with an Orange Bowl on the line. Pitt's opponents averaged 185 yards rushing per game and 4.5 yards per carry.

The Panthers' inability to stop the run was one of the biggest reasons Pitt's season was a disappointment. There were many reasons for the Panthers' deficiencies, but one of the biggest culprits was inexperience. Too many first-year starters and freshman played key roles, which led to inconsistency.

But inexperience won't be an issue this year.

Six of the front seven are returning starters, and the seventh, defensive end Azzie Beagnyam, played extensively. All are a year bigger, stronger and smarter, which should translate into a better run defense.

At least, in theory.

"We believe we've addressed" some of the issues of the run defense, said defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads.

"We've been accountable in our preparation, but whether or not we've fixed all of the problems we won't know until we line up and play a regulation football game. We're anxious to see."

The Panthers will play Ohio University at 7 p.m.today at Heinz Field, and Pitt's revamped run defense will be tested immediately.

That's because the Bobcats will run right at them. Instead of using the triple option, Ohio has turned into a power-running team using a variety of two-tight end sets.

Last week, in their opener, a 42-14 win against Division I-AA VMI, the Bobcats had two players rush for 100 yards. Justin Roush carried 16 times for 130 yards, and freshman Kalvin McRae carried 18 times for 100. McRae also scored two touchdowns, one on the ground and one on an 18-yard pass.

Rhoads said stopping the run is important against Ohio because the Bobcats' passing game is predicated the success of the running game. Most of their passes are play-action -- straight drops, bootlegs or other rollouts.

"The new offensive coordinator came from Nevada-Reno, and we can only speculate that they are going to run the type of offense that he was running there," Rhoads said.

"It is a one-back attack, a run offense with a passing game off virtually every running play they run. They use two tight ends and two wideouts, so it is power running game as well as a zone and stretch running game."

The Bobcats' attack will put pressure on the front seven, but this year that group seems better equipped to handle such a load.

Start at middle linebacker where sophomore Clint Session will try to make his presence felt. Session played last year as a true freshman and was known for making big hits. He finished with 39 tackles and one sack, playing mostly on instincts.

This year he understands the defense and is a more complete linebacker. His quickness also will enable him to fill the holes and stop running backs.

Sophomore strongside linebacker H.B. Blades also saw extensive time in a reserve role last season. Blades has slimmed down, is quicker and, like Session, understands the defense better. The same can be said about weakside linebackers Malcolm Postell and J.J. Horne, who will split time.

Rhoads said the combination of better and more prepared linebackers with a more experienced and stronger defensive line, hopefully, will translate into a better run defense.

He's also excited about the defense's depthand says he has other options should his starters fail.

"We feel we have a number of people who are prepared and ready to play," Rhoads said. "We have to decide who is accountable enough to put on the field, but decisions are made on defense whether or not you think a guy is going to give up a touchdown or not.

"Whether the number of players we have is 18 or 22 or 24, remains to be seen, but we feel good about the number of guys we have that are ready to play.