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9/4/2007 3:31 AM

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Name the one position where Pitt could least afford an injury and chances are quarterback gets the most mention. The Panthers entered the season with three quarterbacks who had a combined 20 career attempts, all by junior Bill Stull.

Saturday night, in the midst of a methodically easy 27-3 season opening victory over Eastern Michigan, Pitt's worst-case scenario came true.

Stull, injured in the third quarter, had surgery Sunday to repair ligaments in his right thumb. That's his throwing hand. Pitt didn't put a timetable on his return. It could be as quickly as two weeks, but more likely four to six weeks.

It's unlikely Pitt will get worse news this year.

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The Panthers desperately needed Stull, who spent the past two years as Tyler Palko's backup. He was the key to the offense, which already lost all-Big East receiver Derek Kinder for the year to a knee injury.

"We feel very disappointed for Billy," Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. "He worked incredibly hard during the offseason to earn the starting job and those efforts showed in his strong play (Saturday). Knowing Billy, he will be very diligent in his rehabilitation and be back as soon as possible."

For Pitt, Stull can't get back soon enough.

In his first collegiate start, Stull played well. He completed his first seven passes and finished with 177 yards and a touchdown. Stull may not have the strongest arm but he threaded a few passes through tight spaces and his numbers would have been better were it not for two drops.

Redshirt freshman Kevan Smith replaced Stull after the injury. He was mostly asked to hand off to LaRod Stephens-Howling and LaSean McCoy.

Now, Smith will get his first collegiate start Saturday when the Panthers host Grambling State, a member of the suddenly formidable Bowl Championship Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-AA).

Or, heralded freshman Pat Bostick could get the start.

The decision turns a mundane week into one that will shape Pitt's future.

"We will work this week to get Kevan Smith and Pat Bostick ready to play against Grambling," Wannstedt said. "Their performances at practice this week will determine our starter for Saturday."

Wannstedt should start Smith. It's an easy decision.

Smith did not leave preseason camp due to undisclosed personal reasons and he definitely has the respect of his teammates, something Bostick has to earn.

"I though I did well and I know the guys have full confidence in me," Smith said. "I was prepared for this. And if they call on me to start next week, I'll prepare myself for that."

Wannstedt will be tempted to start Bostick, the 2006 Gatorade Pennsylvania High School Player of the Year. Bostick and McCoy are Pitt's future and plans to redshirt the quarterback this year no longer exist.

Given his camp departure, Bostick's ability to lead should be questioned. And, given Pitt is playing an inferior opponent Saturday, Smith deserves the chance to start. He never left and there's nothing like some padded numbers to build confidence.

That doesn't mean Bostick shouldn't play against Grambling. Give him a few series. Then, whichever quarterback plays better gets the start two Saturdays from now at Michigan State. Bostick could always get a redshirt next year.

Remember, that's how Walt Harris handled Palko, who served as Rod Rutherford's backup his first year before being redshirted. That experiment went fairly well.

Mike Kovak can be reached at mkovak@observer-reporter.com.

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