Smith battling for No. 2 spot
PITTSBURGH — Kevan Smith has improved his game.
But the Seneca Valley graduate and University of Pittsburgh quarterback will begin this season where he finished 2007 — on the sidelines.
Smith, a redshirt sophomore, showed marked progress in spring practice and summer camp, but redshirt junior Bill Stull was named the Panthers' starter following Wednesday's scrimmage.
Stull was the projected starter when camp began less than three weeks ago.
"I knew when I picked a college that, no matter where I went, there was going to be a battle at quarterback," Smith said at Pitt's media day earlier this month. "It's frustrating, but you just have to show the coaches that you care and do what it takes to get better."
"Kevan's got the strongest arm of any quarterback on the team," said Panthers' coach Dave Wannstedt. "He has the skill and intelligence, but he has to improve his consistency."
Though he has modest career stats with the Panthers — 21-of-30 for 263 yards and two touchdowns — Stull was the starter at the beginning of last season before an injury to his right thumb sidelined him for the year.
Smith (36-of-64 for 415 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions) and incoming sophomore Pat Bostick (155-of-252 for 1,500 yards, eight touchdowns and 13 interceptions) handled the quarterback duties after Stull's injury, with Bostick starting the final eight games, including Pitt's 13-9 upset win over then-No. 2 West Virginia Dec. 1.
Smith and Bostick are still battling for the backup duties.
Also in the mix this season are Greg Cross, a junior college transfer from Fort Scott Community College (KS) and Andrew Janocko, a redshirt freshman.
"All of them came to camp to win the (starting) job and that's good," said Wannstedt. "We have a lot of depth at quarterback."
Wannstedt believes that Smith is behind in his progression after a wrist injury limited him to just 12 games in high school.
"He's probably still trying to make up for lost time," Wannstedt said.
But Smith's knowledge of the offense has increased tenfold since making three starts last year.
"Last season, I was so focused on the offense, making sure our guys were where they needed to be," he said. "Now, I'm focusing on what the defense is doing because I know the offense like the back of my hand.
"It's my third year in the system and that's been a big benefit to me."
Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh has seen the steps Smith has made firsthand.
"Kevan is very sharp mentally," he said. "Before, he had open receivers and missed them and it frustrated him. But he's made strides. We're confident that he could run the whole offense if and when he enters a game."
Pitt opens the season at home against Bowling Green Aug. 30.
