Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt reflected yesterday on the offensive game plan in the 24-17 loss Saturday at Louisville and said he wouldn't change a thing.

Pitt ran 23 plays in the first half for 49 yards, but 27 came on a trick play, so the Panthers averaged a little less than a yard per play.

The Panthers were conservative for a number of reasons, Wannstedt said, then added that they took some shots down the field but didn't make the plays in the passing game. He said the Panthers are trying to upgrade their passing game, but not only is quarterback Pat Bostick a freshman, but most of the skill players on offense also are freshmen or sophomores and still learning.

"It is no secret that we are going to do everything we can to run the football," Wannstedt said at his weekly news conference. "We have to make more plays in the passing game. The defensive plan that Louisville presented us with last week was not a surprise to the players, coaches or anybody else. We prepared for that, we just didn't make enough plays for several reasons."

Wannstedt then pointed out several plays where Bostick, because of his inexperience, threw the ball to the wrong spot or got his signals crossed with the receiver. Two plays that could have gone for long touchdowns, Wannstedt said, didn't because Bostick's passes to Maurice Williams and LeSean McCoy were underthrown and both players had to stop to make the catch.

A tough loss

Wannstedt has spent the past two days trying to encourage Bostick and McCoy to forget about their fumbled exchange in the final minute. The two were distraught after the game. With Pitt trailing, 24-17, with 1:10 to play, the two botched an exchange on a handoff on first-and-goal from the 1, and the ball was recovered by Louisville.

"Where they were [Sunday] with the whole thing was very encouraging to me, and I think it shows how resilient these young guys are," Wannstedt said. "LeSean was heading out [to the bus] with his uniform on, he wanted to fly home with his equipment on, and I told him he had to go change before you get on the plane. His emotions were that strong."

Quick hits

Wannstedt said he'll likely have to be in the press box again this week because of his Achilles tendon, which was surgically repaired two weeks ago. He will meet with a surgeon tomorrow for a checkup and then make a final decision. ... The Panthers expect to get guard Joe Thomas (hamstring) back and didn't appear to have anyone injured in the Louisville loss. ... Pitt received a verbal commitment from Mentor (Ohio) kicker Kevin Harper last night. Harper is the top rated kicker in Ohio and is ranked No. 7 among kickers in the country by rivals.com. He has kicked field goals of 58 and 61 yards this season and is the eighth commitment for next year's class.