When South Florida's fifth-year senior quarterback, Matt Grothe, tore a knee ligament in the third game, very few outside the Bulls' program thought the team would remain in contention in the Big East Conference.

That's because those in the know were aware that the backup -- redshirt freshman B.J. Daniels -- was a bigger, faster version of Grothe and one with a stronger arm.

That's not to say Daniels is better than Grothe, who is the Big East's career leader in all-purpose yards. Though Daniels lacks experience, he has proved to be capable of leading the Bulls to victory.

When Pitt (6-1, 3-0) plays host to South Florida (5-1, 1-1) Saturday, the Panthers' defense will confront Daniels' ability to keep plays alive and throw down the field, putting pressure on the front four and secondary.

"I showed our team today a couple highlights of [Daniels] scrambling," Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. "And it wasn't against Charleston Southern ... . It was against Florida State, and we all know what kind of athletes Florida State has."

In his three games as a starter, Daniels has completed 47 of 88 passes for 810 yards and four touchdowns and is also the team's leading rusher, with 64 carries for 365 yards and four touchdowns. His ability to keep plays alive means the Panthers' secondary will have to cover for a lot longer than in most games.

"[Daniels] has the strongest arm, pure arm strength, that we'll face, and he throws on the run really well," safety Dom DeCicco (Thomas Jefferson High School) said. "But when he's scrambling, he's not always looking to run. He keeps his eyes down the field and keeps a play alive and then can throw it over the top. So on some plays, we might have to cover guys for eight or nine seconds as opposed to three or four.

"It really will require us to be very disciplined to make sure he doesn't burn us over the top, and we have to stay in coverage until we hear a whistle."

Pitt's punt returner, Aaron Smith, hasn't had much success this season (he is averaging 5.9 yards per return with the longest at 17 yards), but Wannstedt isn't looking at making any changes -- or at least not until Cameron Saddler (sprained ankle) returns. Both players are Gateway graduates.

"We haven't gotten much out of it, but he's caught the ball," Wannstedt said. "You always have to be careful there. As long as we're making positive plays, it is what you want. Aaron is working extremely hard and the returns will come."

Saddler was in full pads yesterday but Wannstedt said he's still day to day. ... Defensive back Aaron Berry (shoulder) remains day to day. ... Defensive back Elijah Fields (ankle) and receiver Oderick Turner (ankle) were at full speed yesterday. ... Pitt has not been 7-1 since the 1982 season. "That's just one more thing to get us motivated," said middle linebacker Adam Gunn. ...Athletic director Steve Pederson said ticket sales for Saturday's game are going "extremely well."

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