Pitt's Jabaal Sheard and Greg Romeus were considered among the top bookend defensive ends in the nation before this season, based on their incredible talent and speed.

But an interesting thing has happened to the Panthers this season -- teams have spent so much time worrying about the defensive ends that their tackles have become playmakers as well.

In terms of sheer production the Panthers rotation of tackles -- Mick Williams, Gus Mustakas and Myles Caragein have been more productive than the trio of ends -- Sheard, Romeus and Brandon Lindsey.

As an example, last Friday, the Panthers beat Rutgers, 24-17, and the three defensive tackles combined for five tackles for loss (the team had seven) and the team's three sacks. The three ends had no tackles for loss and no sacks but did knock down three passes at the line of scrimmage.

The defensive tackles have combined for 75 tackles, 20 1/2 tackles for loss and 8 1/2 sacks; the ends have 56 tackles, 15 1/2 tackles and 11 1/2 sacks.

Pitt defensive coordinator Phil Bennett said that while the numbers aren't overwhelming for the ends, Sheard and Romeus are playing well. He said they are just drawing a lot of double teams and help from running backs, which has hurt their productivity.

At the same time, it has created opportunities for the tackles. Led by Williams (28 tackles, a team-high 11 1/2 for loss) they clearly have taken advantage of that.

"Mick is a playmaker and Gus did some [special] things in that game as well," Bennett said. "But our ends, since the Louisville game, have really played well and, without question, that is the strength of our defense right now.

"Gus has gotten back to himself, Myles has played well -- that is a plus for us, it gives us a chance. Jabaal has been in position to make a bunch of sacks, he just hasn't finished on some of them. But he's played extremely hard."

Sheard, who has 27 tackles, including 6 1/2 for loss, knows that the numbers haven't been there for the ends, but he said that the defensive line as a unit has been productive, which is the most important thing.

Sheard and Romeus were double-teamed -- Romeus by a tackle and tight end, Sheard by a tackle and running back -- for most of the Rutgers game but Sheard said that shouldn't always mean that they get shut out.

"Sometimes it is just the scheme we face and who gets the one-on-one," he said. "Rutgers ran the kind of scheme in which it was a good day for the interior line guys. But me and Greg just have to step it up. There is always a chance to get there no matter if the pocket is there or not, we just have to find a way."

Bennett added, "I think [against South Florida], on the edge, those two are going to have some opportunities, and obviously we [want to see some sacks] because of what we're trying to do."

NOTES -- Aaron Berry (shoulder) was in pads and practiced yesterday. He remains day to day. ... Bennett said it is likely Jarred Holley will start at safety this week because Elijah Fields (ankle) is still healing. Fields played against Rutgers in a few passing situations, but Holley took virtually every snap at safety. "Right now [Fields] is not 100 percent. Had he been healthy, he would have [started]," Bennett said. "We're sort of picking and choosing how much we use him right now because he had a pretty severe injury. I'm proud of him, he's worked hard to get back in it." ... Bennett said the defense has improved over the past few games because the schemes for the back seven were tweaked. "We had to simplify some things and do some things a little different," he said. ... Although the game is being billed as "turn it blue" Saturday (fans are encouraged to wear blue), the Panthers likely won't wear their blue-on-blue uniform. Instead, expect them to wear blue jerseys with gold pants.

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