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Tuesday, August 27, 2002

By Shelly Anderson, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

One position tug-of-war that went on during Pitt training camp and has spilled into the first game week is at place-kicker.

The Panthers will have to decide before the opener against Ohio University Saturday, between J.B. Gibboney, a walk-on redshirt sophomore who has no game appearances, and freshman scholarship player David Abdul.

"I'd say it's really still up in the air," Coach Walt Harris said yesterday. "I think it's [about finding] consistency. At times they do well, and at times they don't.

"When we get down there and kick that extra point, we need to make it. When we get down there and kick a field goal from a realistic length, we need to make it. So far, no one has distinguished himself with consistency."

At some point during practice, the Panthers suddenly call for a field goal and give each of the kickers a shot, usually from around 40 yards, to see how each one handles not only the kick but also a bit of a pressure situation.

Abdul seemingly has the stronger leg, but Gibboney might have a little more control. It's possible one will end up attempting field goals and extra points while the other kicks off.

Lay off chart

Being a freshman caught up with Josh Lay this summer.

Lay, a cornerback out of Aliquippa who spent last fall at Valley Forge Military Academy, had a strong spring but tailed off during training camp and is not listed as one of the top four at his position.

Harris said Lay probably will play this season, at least on special teams. "He is in the two-deep in some special teams areas," Harris said. "Josh is a true freshman. That means you really don't know what this is all about yet. He needs to be a little more focused and not just rely on his talent.

"It's early. We're going to go quite a long time before we decide who redshirts. But Josh is in our plans."

Young still suspended

Sophomore defensive tackle Tyre Young, a returning starter, remains under suspension because of disrespectful behavior after a practice skirmish during training camp.

"We think Tyre Young is one of our best players on defense," Harris said. "Right now, there's no update on him."

Quick slants

Returning starting left offensive tackle Rob Petitti returned to practice Sunday night with his sprained ankle taped up. "He was gimping around," Harris said. "He looked rusty." Petitti's backup is a walk-on, redshirt junior Nick Pietracatello. ... Harris said former fullback Dustin Picciotti is enrolled in classes, which began yesterday. "He decided that he wants to stay here, and we want him to stay here," Harris said. Picciotti, a prize recruit out of Central Bucks West, retired early in training camp because of lingering problems and concerns over concussions. He would have been a redshirt sophomore. ... Senior linebacker Gerald Hayes and senior guard Bryan Anderson are among 121 players on the latest watch list for the Lombardi Award, given to the top down lineman in college. ... Asked how many players from his first Pitt team, in 1997, would start on this year's squad, Harris thought for a moment, then said, "I would guess three or four." That team played in the Liberty Bowl. ... Greg Hotchkiss, formerly an assistant sports information director at Florida, was named associate athletic media relations director.