With so many veterans returning in key positions this season, the Pitt defense was supposed to be the rock-solid foundation for Panthers coach Dave Wannstedt to build on. That foundation is beginning to show some cracks -- actually some gaping holes -- after four weeks, and the Panthers are furiously attempting to make the necessary repairs with the Big East Conference opener looming Friday night at Louisville.

Pitt's defense, which returned six starters, has allowed 500 yards or more in two of the past three games. The Panthers surrendered 530 yards in their 38-31 loss at North Carolina State Saturday, two weeks after yielding 500 yards at Buffalo.

"I think every coach and player is disappointed in how we've played defense the first part of the season," Wannstedt said.

The pass defense has been particularly leaky. The Panthers gave up 433 through the air against Buffalo and another 322 against North Carolina State.

Pitt is ranked seventh in the eight-team Big East in total defense, allowing 351.8 yards per game. Only Syracuse gives up more yards per game in the conference. Last season the Panthers were third in the Big East in total defense.

Pitt's pass defense ranks 87th among 118 Division I-A teams in pass defense, yielding 239.2 per game. That ranking might not even be a true indicator because Pitt's other two games came against Division I-AA Youngstown State and Navy, which is predominantly a running offense.

What's even more discouraging to contemplate is the caliber of competition that did the damage against the Panthers. Buffalo has not come close to duplicating their performance against Pitt the past two weeks, losing games to Central Florida and Temple. For the record, Buffalo only managed 13 points against the Owls.

North Carolina State did not score a touchdown in its only other game against a Division I-A team. The Wolfpack gained just 133 total yards in their 7-3 loss to South Carolina.

"If you go back to the preseason, we were supposed to be one of the best defenses in the country," senior defensive lineman Gus Mustakas said. "I feel like we still can be. But to go out and play like that ... it is disappointing. It's terrible. We have to step it up, and we will. We can't let that happen."

Injuries have been part of the problem. Starting linebacker Adam Gunn has missed the past two games with an ankle injury and has been replaced by freshman Dan Mason. In the secondary, starting free safety Andrew Taglianetti was lost for the season with a knee injury after the Buffalo game, and has been replaced by redshirt junior Elijah Fields, who made his fourth career start against North Carolina State.

But it does not explain everything. Taglianetti was the only new starter in the secondary, and cornerbacks Jovani Chappel and Aaron Berry and strong safety Dom DeCicco have been exposed in the pass coverage.

And the front four that has been billed as one of the best in recent history at Pitt did not play well against North Carolina State. The Wolfpack rushed for 208 yards Saturday, and quarterback Russell Wilson scrambled for about half of those.

"I don't think anything is missing," Mustakas said. "I think the problem is we're giving up way too many big plays. We'll stop them, stop them, stop them, then give up a 15-yard scramble. It's just mental mistakes, little things. We have to focus on the little things because that stuff kills you. We have to get that situated. We have to get it fixed in practice this week, and we will."

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NOTES -- Other than Gunn (ankle), Wannstedt reported no other injuries for this week. ... QB Bill Stull said yesterday he was trying to throw to WR Oderick Turner on that fourth-down play at the end of the game. "Honestly, I didn't think it was that bad of a ball, but when I looked at the tape it was nowhere near him," Stull said. "That just made it even more disappointing for me." ... Wannstedt spent a good portion of his news conference harping on penalties. The Panthers had eight for 80 yards against N.C. State and are averaging 84.5 yards per game in penalties. Last season, the Panthers were the least-penalized team in the conference, averaging 33.8 yards in penalties per game. "You have to keep talking about it and keep emphasizing it," Wannstedt said. "We bring officials to practice. I promise you we're not working on it any less. Last year we were top 10 in the country. This year we're the worst. And it's the same guys playing for the most part. I wish I had an easy answer. The solution is to emphasize it. And if it continues the guy can't play." ... The Oct. 10 home game against Connecticut will be a noon or 3:30 p.m. kickoff. The exact time will be announced next week.

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