PITTSBURGH - Walt Harris tried without luck Monday to hook slide around questions about the most debated play call of his eight seasons as Pitt's football coach.

Some players are unhappy with Harris' decision to disdain any chance for a touchdown by having quarterback Tyler Palko slide toward midfield on third-and-goal from the Connecticut 12 late in the first half Thursday. Pitt trailed 10-7.

The idea was to create a favorable spot for a field goal, but the much-debated move has raised doubts about Harris' confidence in his players and the competency of his play-calling. Connecticut went on to win 29-17 for its first Big East Conference football victory.

UConn cornerback Justin Perkins said Harris' decision built confidence among the Huskies because it told them Pitt's coach didn't think his offense could score against them.

Harris repeatedly attempted at his weekly news conference to focus attention on Saturday's game at Temple, but questions kept returning to Palko's slide and the criticism it has generated.

"It wasn't a great situation to be in," Harris said Monday. "Our wide receivers were having trouble getting open and they were putting pressure on our passer. We thought with the way we had played, not very well, and in a hostile atmosphere ... we'd go in 10-10 at halftime."

Harris also said, "You guys don't see it the same way I see it. ... It wasn't like you had to make it. It wasn't a desperate situation."

Palko clearly didn't like the call, saying, "I know we (the offense) would have liked to try to go for the score, but our coaching staff felt differently. Our job is to execute the call ... you don't question a coach's call. Heck, I'm not going to question his calls. If I do, I'd find my tail on the bench."

Asked about Palko's remarks, Harris said, "It probably is a comment that he probably would like to have back."

Magnifying attention on the Palko play is the slide Pitt football appears to be on - one that has raised questions about Harris' future beyond this season.

The Panthers (2-2, 0-1 Big East) appear to have measurably less talent than they did while going to four consecutive bowl games from 2000-03. Most of the season, Pitt hasn't resembled the program that turned out players such as Larry Fitzgerald, last year's Heisman Trophy runnerup; Cowboys wide receiver Antonio Bryant and 49ers running back Kevan Barlow.

Despite Harris' reputation as being one of football's best offensive minds, the Panthers' offense struggled badly in their opener against Ohio, with Palko throwing for only 49 yards - by far the worst effort by any Pitt QB under Harris.

The Panthers also were forced to rally from 17 points down to beat Division I-AA Furman 41-38, barely avoiding the kind of embarrassing loss that can get a coach fired at midseason. Five days later, they looked outmanned against Connecticut, which has played Division I-A football for only three years.

If Pittsburgh should somehow lose Saturday to Temple (1-4, 0-1) - as improbable as that might seem given the Owls' 70-14 loss at home Saturday to Bowling Green - Harris might regret focusing so much media attention on this game.

"That's not the Temple we will get," Harris said. "Temple will take all of our attention. They always play us tough."

The Owls just don't beat Pitt very often, losing five of seven to Harris-coached teams. Pitt is 46-42 under Harris, with a high percentage of the wins coming against Temple, Rutgers and the Mid-American Conference teams the Panthers play early each season.

"I'm doing my job the best way I know how," Harris said.