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Pitt's Narduzzi still mum on starting QB vs Iowa

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PITTSBURGH (AP) Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi is going to keep Iowa guessing about his starting quarterback.

Narduzzi declined to name a starting QB for Saturday's game against the Hawkeyes, saying he'll wait until kickoff before choosing between Chad Voytik and Nate Peterman.

''It's going to be a game-time decision,'' Narduzzi said Thursday. ''We might know before then, but you guys won't know.

Narduzzi had said earlier this week he planned to reveal his choice on Thursday and both players would see reps no matter who went out for the first series.

''They're both good players and they're both going to play,'' Narduzzi said. ''We'll see who starts, the other guy's going to come in the third series or somewhere around that and we'll go from there.''

Peterman, a junior transfer from Tennessee, has the better numbers this season. He entered in the second quarter of Saturday's win at Akron and completed 12 of 17 passes for 148 yards and a score in soggy conditions as the Panthers improved to 2-0.

Voytik has started 15 consecutive games for the Panthers (2-0). Narduzzi remains in no hurry to settle on someone for the long-term, content to treat the quarterback situation like any other where two players are vying for one spot.

''The hot guy's going to play,'' Narduzzi said, ''just like the hot guy's going to play at safety and the hot guy's going to play at tailback.''

Narduzzi also backed off an earlier claim that reigning ACC Player of the Year James Conner is out for the season. The junior running back tore the MCL in his right knee in the opener against Youngstown State and underwent surgery last week. Narduzzi initially said Conner was lost for the year but reconsidered after Conner said his rehab is ahead of schedule.

''If the doctors and the trainers say he's 100 percent, his mom and dad and everybody want to go, then I wouldn't be opposed to (his return),'' Narduzzi said. ''I'm not going to shut down a kid's dream if he wants to go.''

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AP College Football Website: www.collegefootball.ap.org

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