Pitt linebacker Brian Bennett remembers the 2003 season even though it is one he -- and just about every other defensive player -- would like to forget.

"Man, we were all freshman out there flying around trying to make plays," Bennett said. "We had no idea what we were supposed to do. We just tried to get by on our ability. That's all part of growing up."

The defense was torched often that season and was a major reason Pitt, which had begun the season near the top 10, finished a disappointing 8-5. A big problem for the defense was the inexperience of the linebackers. Four of the players in the six-man rotation had not played before.

The core members of that group -- Bennett, juniors H.B. Blades and Clint Session and senior J.J. Horne -- are all grown up now and poised to help the Panthers' defense rise to the top again.

"The year before [in 2002] the defense was outstanding and that was a lot because there was a group of linebackers led by Gerald Hayes and Brian Beinecke," Bennett said. "Those guys all played young as well, but they grew up together and, by then, they were mature and experienced and really dominated teams every week. It all came together for them and we'd like to be the same kind of unit.

"H.B., Clint and J.J. and me -- we want to leave our mark like that 2002 group did."

The linebackers have a chance to be special because there are five quality players who will rotate in three spots. Bennett and Horne are battling at weakside linebacker, Session is locked in a battle with sophomore Derron Thomas at strongside linebacker and Blades will start in the middle.

Pitt defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads said he has been most impressed by the maturity and leadership of the linebackers and he sees similarities between this group and the 2002 group.

"There is no question this unit most definitely has the potential to get to the level of that 2002 group," Rhoads said. "But potential doesn't do much good. We have to get to that level of play. I think, in comparison, that group had more numbers overall but I've seen glimpses of that kind of maturity in practice.

"Just a few days ago I looked over there and saw them working and my exact sentiment was this group is coming together a little bit like that group from a few years ago."

NOTES -- Freshman quarterback Bill Stull worked mostly with the second team yesterday but coach Dave Wannstedt said that is not an indication that Stull is ahead of Shane Murray for the backup job. "They are interchangeable," he said. "I wouldn't say either has really jumped out in front." ... Defensive tackle Phil Tillman and linebacker Scott McKillop missed practice yesterday with undisclosed injuries. Charles Sallet (pulled muscle) returned to practice and defensive tackle Thomas Smith (knee) is expected to return today. ... Upon further review the defense wasn't so bad after all. Wannstedt was critical of the run defense after a scrimmage Monday, but after watching the film said the run stoppers played better than he originally thought. "My emotions came out because I want to see us stop every running play," he said. "The first-team defense really only gave up about 2¹/₂ yards per carry so it wasn't as glaring as it was in my mind." ... Wannstedt said freshman cornerback Tommie Campbell (Aliquippa) was moving up from third team to second team and will likely be on the Panthers' special teams as well. ... On Monday, the coaches gave the players written tests on their playbooks and assignments. Wannstedt joked that "all of the players passed ... but we graded on a curve."