Just got back from Heinz Field; glad we picked up the win and I’m sure Chas and I will talk about it much more in depth over the next few days. One of the more important story lines to come from this game was QB Bill Stull’s injury.

In the third quarter, when Kevan Smith came in for Stull, I just assumed that we were going to give Smith (and possibly Bostick) a chance to show what they can do. Stull then walked to the tunnel and apparently was given quick x-rays and even though he came back on the sidelines, he never went back into the game. He was definitely trying to keep movement of his lower right arm to a minimum.

Dave Wannstedt on the radio postgame show said that after a play, an EMU player actually grabbed Stull’s thumb and pulled or bent it backwards. He also said a few more tests will be done tomorrow to determine the future.

The radio guys also mentioned that TE John Pelusi might have been injured but he should be fine for next week. I was really impressed with how he played tonight, both blocking and catching passes.

UPDATE: Damn…

Pitt quarterback Bill Stull is out indefinitely after requiring surgery today to repair torn ligaments in the thumb on his right (throwing) hand.

“We feel very disappointed for Billy,” Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. “He worked incredibly hard during the off-season to earn the starting job and those efforts showed in his strong play last night. Knowing Billy, he will be very diligent in his rehabilitation and be back as soon as possible.”

Have to leave soon enough today to get to the ‘Burgh and start some early tailgating. Time to whip through the stories today.

We used to be in Lot 22 before there was construction a few years back and it reduced the parking spaces available. We got shunted to Lot 23, and decided to stay since it was a bit cheaper and they actually have more port-a-johns. Still, we used to always end up parked near the SHAT. They get a nice write-up today. Congrats on 10 years, guys.

There’s that damn knot in my stomach again. Spread offense and DC Paul Rhoads.

Rhoads admitted he is a little nervous about how his defense will respond tonight, not just because the read-option offense can be so tricky, but because he is asking a group of first-year starters at linebacker to play disciplined, assignment-oriented football. Both starting outside linebackers, Shane Murray and Adam Gunn, are converted safeties who have little experience at linebacker.

“I should be nervous,” Rhoads said. “But based on camp, I have a lot of confidence that they’ll be ready to go. I know they’ll have some butterflies and be jittery, early, just like me. But I think they’ll settle down quickly. They are a disciplined group, they are a smart group, and I think the non-experience will become less and less of a factor as the game moves on.”

Yes, because Rhoads coached defenses did so well against spread and read-option with experienced players. Ugh. Pass the Maalox.

Of course, Coach Wannstedt isn’t worried about the youth and inexperience from his team.

The, uh, good news. Eastern Michigan has struggled mightily at time running its own offense. To that end, they have added some 2-TE sets and pro-style formations. Something that Pitt can handle.

Nine hours to game time.