TAMPA, Fla. -- Pitt sophomore Dom DeCicco replaced redshirt sophomore Elijah Fields in the starting lineup at strong safety for last night's game against South Florida at Raymond James Stadium.

The development isn't much of a surprise given that DeCicco played the bulk of the snaps Saturday at Syracuse after Fields was beaten for a touchdown pass early in the game. The Bulls' first offensive play was a 15-yard pass in front of DeCicco.

It only took one play for Fields to enter the game and he and DeCicco, who intercepted a pass from South Florida quarterback Matt Grothe in the first quarter, played together on the field for much of the game as the Panthers played a lot of nickel packages to counter the Bulls' spread offense.

South Florida uses a lot of four- and five-wide receiver sets and a number of other formations that don't include a running back, so Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said the Panthers would be using a lot of formations involving three safeties and a "cover" linebacker.

In fact, when starting outside linebacker Greg Williams went down with an injury (he returned a little bit later), it was Fields -- as opposed to another linebacker -- who came into the game and took his spot on the field.

Special teams impact

All week, Wannstedt talked about the need for the Panthers to play sound in all three phases, avoid major mistakes and avoid giving up easy touchdowns as they did in last year's 48-37 loss to South Florida (the Bulls scored two touchdowns on interception returns and returned a third to the 1 in that game).

He even said special teams play would have a major impact on last night's game and, as it turns out, he was correct.

The Bulls' first touchdown came when Carlton Mitchell blocked Dave Brytus' second punt of the game and Charlton Sinclair picked up the loose ball and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown.

Brytus' first punt attempt was nearly blocked in a similar manner, but South Florida's Quenton Washington just missed on a diving attempt and was penalized 15 yards for roughing the punter.

Pitt returned the favor a little later when Greg Williams blocked a 42-yard field-goal attempt by South Florida's Maikon Bonani. And on the Bulls' next offensive series, they attempted a fake field goal, but holder Grant Gregory, who took the snap and attempted to run up the middle, was stopped short of the first down by Pitt linebacker Scott McKillop.

A more mature team

Grothe said South Florida is more equipped to win the Big East title this year because the Bulls are better able to manage the hype and the expectations placed upon them. South Florida began last season 6-0 but lost three consecutive games and fell out of the Top 25.

"I think we're more mature," Grothe told the Tampa Tribune. "We know we just need to play football and not worry about everything and it will all come as it should if we keep winning. Teams are going to come after us, we know that. We're not going to go out there and have any cakewalks."

Quick hits

Representatives from 11 major bowls were at the game last night, including representatives from the Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl and Fiesta Bowl, mostly because the Bulls are considered a favorite to win the conference's BCS bid. There were also scouts from 14 NFL teams in attendance. ... Pitt freshman receiver Jonathan Baldwin, as promised, played early and often and he delivered a 52-yard touchdown reception that tied the score at 7-7. ... Pitt reserve quarterback Greg Cross ran two plays from scrimmage in the first quarter. ... Several key players who were questionable for the game played: Pitt tackle Joe Thomas (ankle) started and played nearly every snap of the first half; also, South Florida's All-American defensive end, George Selvie (ankle), played as did defensive tackle Terrell McClain (ankle). ... Pitt's second touchdown -- a 6-yard run by LeSean McCoy -- was one of the most interesting sequences of the season as the Panthers had seven plays inside the Bulls' 7 because of various penalties against South Florida.