PITTSBURGH— Once collegiate superstars in the PSAC, John Kuhn and Jason Capizzi are virtual nobodies in the Pittsburgh Steeler locker room.

Running back Kuhn quietly got dressed alone in front of his locker Saturday night at Heinz Field before slipping out the door.

Offensive tackle Capizzi doesn't even have his name or his own number above his locker. The writing "O-67" is taped above his stall. Derrick Jones is "D-67" as he wears that number on the defensive side of the ball.

But Kuhn and Capizzi are still part of the Steeler locker room and hope to stay there.

"My only goal is to be part of the 53-man roster when camp is all said and done,"Kuhn said. "Whatever I have to do, I'll do."

"My overall goal is to play in this league,"Capizzi said of the NFL. "My No. 1 goal is to be a Pittsburgh Steeler."

The 6-foot-0, 255-pound Kuhn set 27 school records and four PSAC marks as a fullback at Shippensburg University. He rushed for 4,685 yards, scored 53 touchdowns and had 26 100-yard rushing games for the Red Raiders.

The 6-foot-9, 315-pound Capizzi started 30 games at left tackle in three years at Indiana Univerasity of Pa. and helped the Crimson Hawk offense average 171.7 yards per game on the ground last season. IUP allowed only nine sacks all year.

Both Kuhn and Capizzi were three-time All-PSAC West selections. Both signed with the Steelers as free agents.

"They called me during the fifth round of the draft and said they weren't going to draft a tackle and I'd be the only tackle they'd bring in as a free agent,"Capizzi said. "I received seven or eight offers from NFL teams, but Pittsburgh seemed to be my best shot.

"Besides, I wanted to stay close to home."

Capizzi is a Pine-Richland graduate. Kuhn is from York. Both saw ample playing time in the second half of Saturday's 13-9 loss to Green Bay at Heinz Field.

Kuhn is in his third season with the Steelers. He was released before the end of training camp in 2005, then was signed to the practice squad Nov. 30 of that year.

A member of the practice squad last year, Kuhn joined the Steelers' 53-man roster Oct. 31, made seven tackles in nine games on special teams and rambled 16 yards with his first professional carry against Cleveland.

"I've been able to hang around and that's helped me adapt to the speed of the game at this level,"Kuhn said. "There's a huge difference and it takes a while to catch up to it.

"I've talked to Jason a little bit about it, but he's a big, physical guy. He can take care of himself."

Kuhn had two carries against the Packers for minimal yardage. He saw action on the Steelers' kick and punt return and coverage units as well. He and fellow free agent Gary Russell have been shuttling between fullback and running back.

"If I'm gonna make the team, I have to make an impact on special teams," he said. "That phase of the game will make or break me.

"We used a lot of one-back sets (Saturday) because we were trailing on the scoreboard. If we had the lead, two backs would have been out there together. My versatility can only help me there."

Kuhn is listed as No. 2 on the depth chart behind fullback Dan Kreider. Capizzi is listed No. 3 at left tackle behind Marvel Smith and Trai Essex.

Capizzi played the entire second half at left tackle Saturday.

"We were down in numbers with Alan Faneca and Chukky Okobi not playing, so we didn't have enough guys for a third-team,"Capizzi said. "It's a situation I need to take advantage of."

Capizzi failed to pick up a blitzing linebacker on one play, resulting in a sack. He allowed only one sack in three years at IUP.

Welcome to the NFL.

He did deliver numerous physical blocks otherwise.

"It doesn't matter who you're lining up against if your fundamentals are sound,"Capizzi said. "With proper technique and good footwork, I can hold my own against anybody.

"Marvel Smith is one of the best in the business. He's worked with me some and I can learn a lot just by watching him every day."

While they're working to earn a job in the NFL, Kuhn and Capizzi take time to have a little fun as well.

"I've already talked to him about a bet on the Shippensburg-IUP game,"Kuhn said. "We have to do it."

"Ionly hope we're both still around for the winner to collect,"Capizzi said, grinning.