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Friday, September 01, 2000

By Shelly Anderson, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

John Turman will start at quarterback tomorrow when Pitt opens its season against Kent State at Three Rivers Stadium.

That does not mean Turman, a senior, has beaten out junior David Priestley for the No. 1 job.

Panthers Coach Walt Harris said yesterday after practice that Turman will play for about a quarter and then will yield to Priestley, regardless of the game situation.

"At halftime, I'll decide whether to go with one of them or the other or a rotation in the second half," said Harris, adding that he will do that reluctantly because he can't always make a fair evaluation from the sideline.

Turman and Priestley split the starting duties last year, and Harris said he's not thrilled about going into another season with two quarterbacks. He added that he won't settle on one until one of them earns it.

Harris said Priestley was rusty early in training camp, and Priestley missed some scrimmage and practice time because of a sore arm. But that's not why Turman is taking the first snap, Harris said.

"Mostly, it was real even, and John's a senior," he said.

Pitt has games against two Mid-American Conference teams -- it plays at Bowling Green next week -- before a showdown with Penn State in the last scheduled game between the intrastate rivals. Harris said he will not use the first two games as a barometer with the intent of naming a permanent starter before the Penn State game.

Bryant demoted

Antonio Bryant, who set a school record last year for most catches by a freshman, has been demoted from the first team, and his status for tomorrow's game is unclear.

Bryant practiced only sparingly yesterday, and it was not with the starters. He spent much of the practice session standing on the sideline with his helmet off. Sophomore Lamar Slade and redshirt junior R.J. English shared Bryant's starting spot opposite senior Latef Grim.

Harris confirmed Bryant's demotion but declined to discuss it further, including the reason for the demotion and whether he would play against Kent State.

Bryant had 51 receptions for 844 yards last season.

Harris declines comment

There was no indication that Bryant or any other Pitt players will be held out of tomorrow's game in connection with a phone access problem on campus last school year. Then again, there was no indication anyone wouldn't be held out.

The university said months ago that it was investigating the possible unauthorized use of an access code by some students, perhaps including athletes, to make long-distance calls.

Asked if any players who have been participating in practice -- other than tailback Darcey Levy, a transfer who must sit out the first four games -- are ineligible for tomorrow, Harris wouldn't comment. He also has said for months that he is not allowed to make any comments regarding the phone access card situation.

Other than a handful of injured players, no one has been held out of practice this week, and Bryant is the only one who has been inexplicably demoted.

Quick hits

The Panthers will hold today's walk-through practices at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex, not at Three Rivers. They will be on the grass fields or in the indoor complex when it is completed. ... All-Big East free safety Ramon Walker (shoulder) still is questionable for the opener. He has not had any contact in practice for more than a week. Yesterday, though, he was lined up with the punt returners for a while. He worked some at that special teams position early in the preseason but was pulled off of that duty after his shoulder injury.