There is still healthy competition for the starting tailback's job at Pitt, but as the opener against Notre Dame inches closer, freshman Rashad Jennings and senior Tim Murphy are slowly but surely securing their spots at the top of the depth chart.

The duo increasingly has taken the bulk of the snaps with the first team each day, and both have been consistent performers in preseason camp.

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Neither is ready to take anything for granted, however, because six or seven other tailbacks still are trying to nail down the starting job.

"You can't take a play off," said Jennings, who was the favorite to win the job after the spring. "You take a few plays off, you miss a practice, next thing you know you are ninth on the depth chart. The competition here is so good there isn't any of us thinking about anything but working hard and improving on the next play.

"It has been exciting to get so much work with the first team because it means the coaches have faith me, but now is not the time to relax, now is the time to prove I can do the job."

Murphy, also a leading candidate to start at fullback, wasn't healthy in the spring, so coaches didn't get to see him play until last week. His talent and ability to play both positions quickly made him one of the most valuable players on the team, and there is no doubt he will play a big role for the Panthers.

Still, like Jennings, he knows his position is temporary if he doesn't continue to improve.

"We have a new coaching staff, and they don't really know me any better than any one else, including the freshmen," Murphy said. "So coming in here after missing the spring, I knew I needed to push it harder than I ever have to let them know I am serious and I can get the job done.

"I am playing more at tailback than fullback, so I think that's where I'll be, but, if they ask me to play fullback, I'll go there, too. I just want to be on that field."

It is not a shock that Murphy, 5 feet 10, 235 pounds, and Jennings (6-1, 235), are leading the pack. Both are big, bruising backs (which fits in with the Panthers' power running game) and also good receivers and blockers.

Jennings enrolled in school in January to get a jump on his career, and it paid off after he had an excellent spring. Murphy is the team's most complete back, so his status never has been in question.

Even though the two run mostly with the first team, running backs coach David Walker said picking a starter is not really his priority. He also said there are a few other running backs on the team who have earned some playing time.

"Fans like to discuss things like who is actually on the field to start the game, but our bigger concern is who finishes it," Walker said. "I mean, you'll know who our go-to guy is by who is on the field in the fourth quarter when the game is on the line. Right now, there is no question that Tim Murphy is going to play a lot for us as will Rashad.

"But we've still got Brandon Mason and Raymond Kirkley, who have also gotten some reps with the first team and who we know will also play for us this year. It is just a matter of finding the right mix and the right fit."

One wild card in the tailback position is freshman LaRod Stephens. He is small (5-7, 165), but he is lightning quick and the kind of player who can change a game any time he touches the ball. His size precludes him from being a featured back in the Panthers' system, but coaches are looking for ways to take advantage of his unique talents.

"LaRod is a different type of player," Walker said. "He is so quick and he changes directions on a dime, so we need to find ways to get him into the open field and let him do his thing. I'm not sure how we're going to use him, but we're going to use him as much as we can."

The Panthers have 10 days of camp remaining then a week more to prepare for Notre Dame, so a lot can happen to change the depth chart, but particularly at tailback. That's why Jennings won't look too far into the future, although he admits it is tough not to do that.

"I can't wait to run out of that tunnel that night and see all those fans," Jennings said. "That will be special. And if God willing I am able to start, it would be something I'd remember for the rest of my life. It has always been my dream to play college football. I'm this close to that dream so I can't let up now."