Some days Pitt freshman running back Rashad Jennings has to pinch himself to make sure he's not dreaming, but, as the opener against Notre Dame inches closer, the reality that he's going to start his first college game is beginning to set in.

John Beale, Post-Gazette Pitt running back Rashad Jennings rushes for a game-high 118 yards in the Blue-Gold Spring game in April at Gateway High School. Click photo for larger image. COMING UP What: Notre Dame at Pitt. When: 8 p.m. Saturday. Where: Heinz Field. TV/Radio: WTAE/WPGB-FM (104.7), WBGG-AM (970) and the Panthers Radio Network. Related coverage Pitt Notebook: Strong secondary gives front 7 leverage

H e admits that just running through the tunnel at Heinz Field on game day and being a part of a college team is a dream come true. But the fact that he is going to be out on the field on the Panthers' first offensive play will make Saturday one of the most special nights he has had.

"All of this just puts a big smile on my face," he said yesterday. "I came in and worked hard, and coaches have said I did everything I needed to earn a job. I'm excited for a lot of reasons -- it is first my college game, it is Notre Dame and it is all hyped up. Right now, I am just keeping myself calm and I just want to go out and play with my God-given ability."

Jennings enrolled in Pitt in January in order to take part in spring practice and make a good first impression on first-year coach Dave Wannstedt. And, from the day he arrived, it was clear he was not the usual freshman and that he had a chance to become a featured back in the Panthers' run-heavy offense. Jennings, who is 6 feet 1, 235 pounds, showed early he was the kind of big, bruising back that could shed tackles and move the chains that Wannstedt wanted.

He maintained his status as the starting tailback despite stiff competition from senior Tim Murphy and sophomore Brandon Mason during training camp. His hard work, however, nearly went for naught because last week he missed four days at the end of camp with a knee injury.

He said those were some of the longest days he has endured, but he never got too far down because he believed he had proven himself to be a starter.

"You work so hard, you work so hard -- then to have to just sit back and watch ... you are thinking, 'What's going through [the coaches] head?' But I worked my hardest and I know the coaches know what I bring to the table, so I felt pretty good knowing I left a mark. I did learn that it is not the funnest thing in the world to sit and watch football.

"But I am feeling a lot better, I just got a little nicked up. It is nothing, I'm good."

Although Jennings is listed as the starter and likely will get the bulk of the carries, Pitt offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh said a number of backs will get an opportunity to run the football.

That includes Murphy, who will start at fullback but also will see some time at tailback, and Mason who had a strong finish to camp.

"We're going with the guy that is hot," Cavanaugh said. "We have a real good feel for a couple of them. Rashad had a real good spring and summer.

John Beale, Post-Gazette Pitt running back Tim Murphy is expected to share the load with Rashad Jennings. Click photo for larger image.

"Murph has to get some carries, and Brandon has shown he can make people miss with the ball in his hands, so [running backs] coach [David] Walker and I will talk with coach Wannstedt and lay out a plan that we think will carry us through against Notre Dame."

One player who was thought to be in the rotation because of his camp play was freshman LaRod Stephens. He is only 5-7, 160 but is fast and has the ability to make big plays.

Cavanaugh, though, said Stephens, who will return kicks, is not likely to play a big role in the running game, if any, because coaches do not want to give him too much to learn too soon.

"I'm not sure how we are going to use him," Cavanaugh said. "He's had a good summer, but he is only a true freshman and has some special-teams responsibilities, so we are going to be careful that we don't overload him.

"If need be, he could come off the bench for a series or two and carry the ball if we have to do that, but we have enough backs in front of him that I don't imagine us having to do that."

Jennings realizes he could easily lose his starting job if he doesn't make the most of his chance.

But he's confident of his ability and said the competition has helped keep all Pitt's running backs sharp.

"To be honest, I've never felt like I locked up a starting job," Jennings said.

"We have great competition in our backfield. I try to use myself as my own competition and I just keep working hard. I've never known that I have this position, and coaches like it that way. Saturday, they plan for me to get the ball my share of times, and I am just going to go out there and do what I can do and see what happens."