Apr 14, 2002 3 min read

PITTSBURGH (AP) – A strong performance in the Blue-Gold game Saturday may have helped Pat Hoderny close the gap as he tries to unseat Rod Rutherford and become Pitt’s starting quarterback. Hoderny led the Gold on one scoring drive, while Rutherford’s two turnovers set up two touchdowns in a 21-13 win against the Blue team at Heinz Field.

The quarterbacks will begin dueling in earnest when Pittsburgh’s preseason practice starts Aug. 10.

“I thought he (Hoderny) ran the ball a few times, which he should do,” Pitt coach Walt Harris said. “That should be a part of his game. I think he needs to continue to press that when the down-the-field throws aren’t open.”

Rutherford completed 6-of-13 passes for 58 yards and threw one interception. He rushed for 61 yards on 13 carries, but fumbled once. Redshirt junior defensive end Claude Harriott knocked down Rutherford’s pitch, scooped up the ball and scored from eight yards out.

Hoderny, who was 9-for-16 for 116 yards with one interception, hit tight end Erik Gill with a 47-yard pass to put the Gold in position to score with 30 seconds left. Tim Murphy scored on a short run three plays later.

“It’s my time, and I’ve got to be the guy to step up and take control of this offense to lead this team,” said Rutherford, a former Pennsylvania high school player of the year from Pittsburgh’s Perry Traditional Academy.

“My mentality is that I’m the guy, but I’ve just got to go out there and show the guys and the coaches that it’s me.”

Harris expected Rutherford to earn the starting job because of his experience, but said that hadn’t happened yet.

Rutherford still has three weeks of summer camp to do so, but Hoderny and freshmen Tyler Palko and Luke Getsy will also be competing.

“Coach told me at the beginning of the spring where I was and where I needed to go, but I’m not there yet,” Hoderny said. “The good thing is I have the rest of the spring and all summer … to keep progressing.”

Redshirt junior tailback Brandon Miree, a transfer from Alabama, ran for 75 yards and two scores on 19 carries. He had a 24-yard TD run in the second quarter and scored from one yard out in the fourth quarter. Murphy led the Gold team with 65 yards rushing on 16 carries.

Gill caught five passes for 82 yards, and Marcus Furman had two catches for 41 yards. He ran a reverse for 16 yards and caught a 16-yard toss from Murphy but dropped a 50-yard pass from Hoderny.

The other touchdown came on a fumble recovery in the end zone by wide receiver Donny Patrick. Gill fumbled after a reception at the 2.

The Panthers open the regular season against Ohio University on Aug. 31 at Heinz Field.

NOTES: A dozen players did not participate due to injuries: DB Tyrone Gilliard (quad strain), DB Corey Humphries (knee), TB Ray Kirkley (wrist), DL Darrell McMurray (back), OT Matt Morgan (hip), C Chad Reed (shoulder), OL Penny Semaia (shoulder), DE Ryan Smith (shoulder), WR Joe Stephens (hamstring), WR Roosevelt Bynes (calf), DB Gary Urschler (knee) and OL Darryl Weston (back). … This was the first year that Harris didn’t pit the offense against defense in the spring game. The Panthers were divided into two full teams.