Pitt Press Conference: Bostick likely to be redshirted

By Dale Grdnic

PITTSBURGH -- For those who wanted a different quarterback to play for the Pitt football team this season you got your wish.

Redshirt freshman Tino Sunseri will play as much as possible, but as the backup to starter Bill Stull at least at the outset this fall. A fifth-year senior, Stull is the opening-game starter for the third straight season.

"I sat down with (offensive coordinator) Frank Cignetti, and we talked with all three quarterbacks,'' Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. "The plan is, as we know, is that Billy is the starter. And Tino is the No. 2. They will get the work in practice. I told Tino that the wish list is to get him playing time.

"How much and when is in as many games as we can, but we'll take it one game at a time. (Junior) Pat Bostick's status is that we would like to redshirt Pat if we could, and he is all for that unless we obviously would need him. So, we'll go into it with Billy being the starter, (and) Tino being his backup.''

Apparently, unless there is an injury, Bostick will be redshirted.

"Tino's the guy, and we're going to try to get Tino (playing time),'' Wannstedt added. "Tino's going to be an outstanding quarterback for us. He had a very good camp. He knows that, but the big thing is to get him some playing time and get him into the action a little bit (and) let him learn.

"And I believe he'll progress. (But) nothing is scripted out (for playing time). He's prepared to play, which he should do and will do anyway. So, we'll see how things unfold.''

It's fairly clear that Wannstedt did not want to open the season with two sophomores on the offensive line, a redshirt sophomore fullback and three freshmen tailbacks in the backfield to go with second-year freshman Sunseri.