Pitt football coach Dave Wannstedt often has said that this version of the Panthers would be a blue-collar team, one that will have to win games by outworking its opponents.

And, based on the Panthers' opening act, a workmanlike, 27-3 win against Mid-American Conference lightweight Eastern Michigan before 36,183 at Heinz Field last night, that appears to be an accurate description.

The Panthers, a team with no stars, were neither flashy nor fancy and no player stood out, but they controlled the entire game and methodically clawed their way to victory.

Pitt (1-0) got an outstanding effort from its defense, which limited the Eagles to eight first downs and 145 total yards (39 rushing), and did not have a turnover.

"This is going to be one of those years where each week will take on a life of its own," Wannstedt said. "We're going to have to do whatever we have to do in any phase to try and win that game and that means playing whoever we have to play and that's the type of year it will be.

"I think tonight, we learned -- and you can't simulate this in practice -- when you have adversity, every team is different, and you wonder how these guys are going to respond.

"Everyone is expecting us to win this game, but, all of the sudden, we are losing, 3-0, and it is in the second quarter, but that was good for us, it was real good for us because we hung together, kept pressing on, nobody panicked and we came out the third quarter, drove the length of the field and scored.

"Like I've said consistently, it is not the 11 best, it is the best 11, and that's where we are at."

The game marked the first career start for junior quarterback Bill Stull, who was impressive, completing 14 of 20 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown. Stull, however, injured his right thumb in the third quarter and left the game for X-rays and did not return.

Wannstedt said Stull's thumb got bent backward, and the coach did not sound optimistic that his No. 1 quarterback would be ready to play Saturday against Grambling.

With Stull sitting out, redshirt freshman Kevan Smith took control of the offense and showed some poise, completing 2 of 4 passes for 18 yards while closing out the victory. Wannstedt said if Stull can't play, Smith will start.

"Billy Stull did injure his thumb, and he'll have to get it checked out [today]," Wannstedt said. "I don't know anything about it right now. But I thought when Kevan Smith came in he did what was necessary to win the game.

"Obviously, if we'd have been behind, we would have had to rely on him more to make some plays in the passing game, but we were fortunate he didn't have to.

"I thought Billy played really well before he got hurt. He managed the game really well, he gave our guys a chance to make some plays and he didn't miss too many throws."

Sean Dutcher kicked a 27-yard field goal to give Eastern Michigan a 3-0 lead with 3:30 to play in the first quarter, but it was a short-lived lead as the Panthers took the ensuing kickoff and drove 65 yards on five plays and took a 7-3 lead on a 1-yard run by Shane Brooks.

Pitt made it 14-3 lead on a 21-yard pass from Stull to Oderick Turner on the second play of the second quarter and that score held up at the half.

The Panthers grabbed control on the first drive of the second half, marching 60 yards in 11 plays. Brooks' second 1-yard touchdown run widened the Pitt lead to 21-3.

Conor Lee then tacked on a 28-yard field goal with 7:09 left and a 35-yard field goal with 2:20 remaining to close the scoring.

NOTES -- Sophomore cornerback Aaron Berry did not start due to an ankle injury. He was replaced in the starting lineup by redshirt freshman Ricky Gary, who had an interception late in the first quarter. Berry remained the Panthers' top punt-returner. ... Fifth-year senior offensive lineman Mike McGlynn played one play at right tackle in the fourth quarter. He is coming off a major shoulder injury and only recently was cleared to play. By getting into the game, he ran his consecutive-games streak to 36. His consecutive-start streak ended at 31. ... Pitt allowed 145 total yards, the least the Panthers have given up in an opener since 1989 when they gave up 140 in a 38-3 win against Pacific, a team coached by former Pitt coach Walt Harris.