Getting off the field on third down is one of the most important aspects for a successful defense. Conversely, converting on third down is an equally important component for sustaining an offense.

Two of the biggest reasons Pitt struggled to maintain its 14-point, second-half lead Saturday against North Carolina State were the offense's inability to convert on third down and the defense's inability to stop the Wolfpack from converting on its third-down attempts.

Pitt was 2 for 10 on third-down conversions while North Carolina State converted 6 of its 13 third-down opportunities. North Carolina State scored 21 unanswered points to win, 38-31.

It was indicative of the way the Panthers have played this season on third down on both sides of the line of scrimmage. They were able to win their first three games despite some similarly poor play on third down.

"We have not been very good at all on offense or defense on third down," Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said yesterday. "We're going to put an emphasis on it this week."

Pitt is last in the Big East in stopping the opponent on third down. Teams are converting at a 43.3 percent clip against the Panthers. The offense, meanwhile, is converting only 34.1 percent of its third-down tries, which is seventh in the eight-team Big East.

"I knew we weren't good on third down [against North Carolina State], but when I saw the stats I was very disappointed," quarterback Bill Stull said. "I take the blame myself. We have to put more emphasis on third down. I have to make sure when the time comes we emphasize that more."

Tight end Nate Byham said the Panthers are putting themselves in too many difficult positions on third downs by not gaining enough yards on first and second downs.

"We have a lot of playmakers, but when we're not making big plays we're getting in second-and-long situations and third-and-long situations," he said. "We're not getting in convertible third-down situations. We want to be third-and-4 and less. We're finding ourselves in third-and-8 and third-and-10. That's always going to kill you."

For the defense, it comes down to tackling better. Opposing teams have been taking advantage of Pitt's sloppy tackling, which has led to big plays, many of them occurring on third down.

"If you look at the games, no one has really taken shots down the field," cornerback Aaron Berry said. "It is short passes and missed tackles. We just have to tackle kids and get them to the ground. That's what has been hurting us. Teams aren't taking shots down the field and throwing deep balls on us."

Freshman receiver Cameron Saddler from Gateway High School is second in the Big East in kickoff returns with a 30.0-yard average on seven opportunities. Only Trent Guy of Louisville is better with 33.8 per return.

"I feel good, but I still haven't taken one back to the house yet," Saddler said. "So I'm not feeling as good as I could be. But I'm happy with what I'm doing. And I'm happy to be setting up the offense in good field position because when they score a touchdown I feel like I scored a touchdown."

While Saddler has been excelling with kick returns, the punt returns with sophomore Aaron Smith, also of Gateway, have been struggling. The Panthers are averaging just 7.7 yards per punt return.

Saddler has been practicing with the punt return unit but has not been called upon in a game. Wannstedt said yesterday that it is a possibility Saddler will return punts against Louisville.

Wannstedt remains optimistic that linebacker Adam Gunn, who has missed the past two games with an ankle injury, will return to the starting lineup Friday. ... Cornerback Buddy Jackson, who broke his jaw over the summer and has yet to play this season, was cleared to participate in full contact drills yesterday and will play some on special teams against Louisville, Wannstedt said. ... Sophomore safety Andrew Taglianetti, who had a season-ending left-knee injury against Buffalo, had surgery yesterday and will begin his rehabilitation soon. ... The New York Yankees will have a news conference today to announce that a team from the Big East and a team from the Big 12 will take part in a new bowl game.

Next

• Game: Pitt (3-1) at Louisville (1-2) in their Big East opener.

• When: 8 p.m. Friday.

• Where: Papa John's Stadium, Louisville, Ky.

• TV: ESPN2.

• The skinny: Pitt is 1-3 in Louisville, with the lone win coming in 1983.

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