Pitt's C.J. Davis made his first career start at center last weekend against Notre Dame.

It was only the second time in his career that Davis had played the position. The first time was in the final quarter of the loss to Rutgers after starter Robb Houser had a season-ending ankle injury.

Davis' move from left guard created an opening in the line, which the coaching staff filled with fifth-year senior Dominick Williams, who had not received much playing time after the third week of the 2005 season when he was dropped from the starting lineup.

Adding to the uncertainty going into the Notre Dame game was that starting quarterback Bill Stull was out with a concussion. That meant the snap exchange between a new quarterback (Pat Bostick) and a new center (Davis) and the blocking of the line were areas of concern. The expectations were that the offensive game plan would be simplified, and Davis would not be asked to do too many different things as he settled into the position.

Surprisingly, the Panthers rolled out more formations, had more players receive snaps and ran more plays out of the shotgun formation than they had all year.

Pitt offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh said he didn't hesitate to ask Davis, a senior, to do so many different things because he knew what the West Allegheny graduate was capable of, and he -- and Williams for that matter -- passed every test.

"I was very pleased with C.J.," Cavanaugh said. "I know he is a four-year starter, but to make that swap from guard to center and handle a lot of shotgun snaps, it was very impressive, and he blocked very well. ... We were hoping forthat, and it was nice to see. He did a wonderful job. And I think Dom, it has been awhile since he's been in the lineup and there are some things he has to clean up. But he came in and competed very well and he got some people blocked most times and missed a couple of things, but I think the more action he gets, the more comfortable he is going to be in there."

The Panthers were able to run the ball as LeSean McCoy rushed for 169 yards against the Irish. Pitt also used two quarterbacks in the game, Bostick and Kevan Smith, and its Wildcat package, which is a direct snap to McCoy. Despite all that, Davis didn't miss one snap or make one errant shotgun snap.

The current alignment with Davis at center and Williams at left guard likely will remain intact for the remainder of the season, Cavanaugh said, adding that he is looking for more consistent play out of Williams the rest of the way.

"The big question was going to be Dom coming in at guard. But he has been around a long time, and I knew he wasn't going to be panicked about being in there," Cavanaugh said. "But typically a guy who is getting some action for the first time this year, there will be some things that don't go right, but he gave good effort. And he had some guys on both sides of him that were helping out with the things he was supposed to do, so that worked out OK."

Davis, who had been a three-year starter at guard, said learning the new position was easy because it seems like a natural fit, and he knew it would be best for the team.

His challenge this week will be to improve, which won't be an easy task because the No. 25 Panthers (6-2, 2-1 Big East) play host to Louisville (5-3, 1-2). The Cardinals have a stout defensive line.

"It is a big difference, especially when we came out in the Wildcat, but I felt like I settled in and did a good job with it," Davis said. "I don't think it was tough, the Wildcat. Since it was a predetermined thing, we had practiced the snap. And I thought Dom did well. We pulled him around a lot. He was solid, and I thought the whole offensive line did a good job, they helped me out a lot with things.

"I played Louisville the last three years, and we haven't beaten them, and I know they are definitely going to be stoked coming in here and wanting to beat us, especially since they are coming off a loss to Syracuse. So we know we have to be ready to play and be ready to play our best game of the year."

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NOTES -- Coach Dave Wannstedt and Cavanaugh said Stull will play against Louisville. He has practiced both days this week and said there has been no lingering effects from his concussion. "It is still early but he had a good day yesterday and we're encouraged by that. I think he'll be fine," Cavanaugh said. Cavanaugh was then asked if he had ever taken a hit like Stull did and he quipped: "Yeah, but it never caused any alarm back then, they just said, 'Get up and go play again.' But they are a lot smarter now. I'm teasing, it really is a scary thing." ... The only other injury concern is at defensive tackle where Tommie Duhart (ankle) is still questionable. Wannstedt said that if Duhart can't go, redshirt freshman Myles Caragein will step in and take his reps for the second week in a row.