Elijah Fields has been in coach Dave Wannstedt's doghouse so much during his four seasons at Pitt that it could be mistaken for his second residence.

A 6-foot-2, 225-pound redshirt junior safety, Fields never committed major indiscretions, only small mistakes that constantly irritated the coaching staff. He was late for meetings and did not demonstrate a strong willingness to accept coaching, all of which kept him from earning a larger role on the team.

Now, after a season-ending knee injury to starting free safety Andrew Taglianetti, Fields is being thrust into a full-time starting role for the first time, and there are signs that the once ballyhooed recruit who turned down Ohio State and Penn State to attend Pitt finally is ready to blossom as a player.

Fields, a former star at Duquesne High School, acquitted himself quite well in his third career start last week, against Navy. But more than his play on the field, Pitt's coaches have been impressed with his approach to the game in recent weeks.

Fields has been a model citizen, has been putting in extra time watching video of opposing teams and has become more receptive to becoming a student of the game.

"Mentally, he's done a great job," said Jeff Hafley, Pitt's defensive backs coach. "He's picked up what we're trying to do. That wasn't an easy scheme we played against Navy, and he was sharp. He made some adjustments during the game and asked some questions that really showed that he has a grasp, that he's matured and is ready to take over as the safety."

Fields never put in extra work during his first three seasons at Pitt. As a highly touted recruit, he did not feel as though he had to work harder than the other players because his natural ability set him apart. Only recently has he come to understand that the mental aspect of the game is equally important as the physical aspect.

"I'm maturing," Fields said. "I'm doing more stuff to help me be successful like watching film. I'm getting with coach Hafley and understanding the offensive schemes. It's been a learning process. Watching film has helped me out a lot. I wasn't doing things like that when I was younger. I was young-minded when I was a freshman and sophomore. I thought I could do the things I did in high school. Now I'm starting to watch film and get that down pat, starting to understand that more.

"What I know now is that everyone in college is an athlete, is big and strong and can run. You have to prepare differently than in high school. You have to watch more film, do extra things that will help you be successful during the game."

Fields started two games last season, but spent most of his time as a reserve behind Dom DeCicco at strong safety. Fields was the favorite to earn the starting free safety position this fall, but Taglianetti's emergence and Fields' penchant for staying in or near the doghouse meant that he started the season as a reserve again.

"You hit it on the button when you say I was in the doghouse," Fields said. "But I'm trying to put all of that behind me now and look ahead."

Wannstedt said he was pleased with Fields' outing against Navy and is looking forward to watching him grow into his new role as a starter.

"He played well last week," Wannstedt said. "The longer the game went on, the more comfortable he got. He's a guy that's been around here for several years, but if you added up the total number of times he played it's not as much as you think. He needs playing time.

"Last week was great for him because he played from start to finish. He played through the ups, the downs, the good, the bad, and he never lost his edge. He never lost his focus. He was playing with the same intensity at the end of the game as he was in the first quarter. That's what I was looking for: consistency."

Fields understands that Taglianetti's misfortune is his opportunity, and he wants to do everything in his power to take full advantage.

"I've got the opportunity of a lifetime now to show people what I've got," Fields said. "I was highly rated coming out of high school, and now, after all the stuff I've been through, now is the time to show people that I'm ready to go now. I want to help my teammates and Pitt be successful. It's the time to start showing people what I can do."

NOTES -- Wannstedt said starting linebacker Adam Gunn was still day to day with an ankle injury. The coach wanted to see Gunn practice yesterday before making a determination about whether he can play tomorrow. ... Regardless of Gunn's status, Wannstedt confirmed that freshman Dan Mason, who took Gunn's place in the starting lineup last week, will see playing time. ... Wide receiver Mike Shanahan practiced Wednesday and Wannstedt expects him to play tomorrow.