PITTSBURGH — LeSean McCoy is off to one of the best starts by any Pitt freshman running back not named Tony Dorsett.

One problem: The way they're struggling to throw the ball, McCoy might need to be a combination of both Dorsett and Dan Marino for the Panthers to start producing some offense other than through his running.

Coach Dave Wannstedt no doubt wishes McCoy could play both quarterback and running back, proving that by lining up McCoy as a quarterback in a shotgun-type formation numerous times in a 17-13 loss at Michigan State last week.

McCoy already has two 100-yard games for Pitt (2-1) and might have had a third if he had gotten more carries in the opener against Eastern Michigan. Last week's 172-yard effort in East Lansing represented the seventh most yards by a Pitt freshman, and only Dorsett (three times in 1973) and Curvin Richards (three times in 1988) had more in their first season.

"He has great feet and can get away from you in a hurry," UConn coach Randy Edsall said of McCoy.

As the Panthers go into Saturday night's Big East Conference opener against unbeaten Connecticut, their major problem is finding a way to generate much yardage any way other than through McCoy's two feet.

Again, how about quarterback?

Since junior Bill Stull injured a thumb in the first game, replacement Kevan Smith, a Seneca Valley grad, has been unable to move the offense while going 26-of-44 for 305 yards, three interceptions and one touchdown for the season.

Unless there's some help in a hurry, McCoy may soon have to wade his way through eight or nine defenders at the line of scrimmage merely to locate some running room. Pitt was 0-for-12 on third down conversions against Michigan State.

Freshman quarterback Pat Bostick also worked with the starters this week, but there's been no indication that redshirt freshman Smith won't start. Wannstedt said he didn't consider inserting Bostick against Michigan State, even when Smith wasn't moving the offense.