Pitt defensive coordinator Phil Bennett spent much of his coaching career in the Big 8/Big 12, and for the majority of his time there, the dominant team was the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

That's why Bennett needs no introduction to Buffalo's head coach, Turner Gill, who is a Huskers legend and also one of the first blue-chip athletes Bennett tried -- and failed -- to land as a recruit.

Pitt (0-1) will play host to Buffalo (0-1) tonight at Heinz Field.

Bennett also had the pleasure to try to match wits with Gill, who was an offensive assistant at Nebraska from 1992-2004.

"Actually, Turner and I have a storied past," Bennett said. "We had some great games when I was the defensive coordinator at Kansas State and he was the offensive coordinator at Nebraska under Frank Solich. He is an outstanding coach and an outstanding guy and he is a fellow Texan!

"In fact, my first year recruiting was Turner's senior year in high school. I was coaching at Texas A&M and I went to his high school. He was a running quarterback and we ran the wishbone, but he didn't want any part of me and he signed with Nebraska."

Although Gill is considered one of the best option quarterbacks in the history of college football, Bennett said the Bulls run very little option and, in fact, are far more of a traditional pro-style offense than most teams the Panthers will face.

He said Gill's offenses always mix things up, so he expects to see a number of formations, but Buffalo's quarterback, Drew Willy, is more of a traditional dropback passer so the Bulls don't do a lot of spread or read-option stuff.

That doesn't mean they aren't dangerous. Last week, they blew out UTEP, 42-7, and Willy threw four touchdown passes.

"The quarterback is accurate and he throws it well, but they want to establish the running game first," Bennett said.

"[Gill] has them playing with poise and confidence, so we have to be ready."

Matchup: Pitt (0-1) vs. Buffalo (1-0), 6 p.m. today, Heinz Field. Pitt is favored by 13¹/₂.

TV/Radio: WWSW-FM (94.5), WBGG-AM (970).

Pitt: Is coming off a season-opening, 27-17 loss to Bowling Green, the Panthers' third loss in 28 games against Mid-American Conference foes. Buffalo is also a MAC team. ... Tailback LeSean McCoy had only 71 yards on 23 carries last week. ... Quarterback Bill Stull (pictured) completed 29 of 51 passes for 264 yards and one touchdown.

Buffalo: Coached by former Nebraska quarterback Turner Gill. ... Beat Texas-El Paso, 42-17 in opener. ... Has never begun the season 2-0 as a Division I-A team (since 1999). ... Has only one win against a BCS-conference team -- 34-11 vs. Rutgers in 2002. ... QB Drew Willy threw four touchdown passes vs. Miners.

Hidden stat: The Panthers are 11-10 in games they are favored to win (against I-A teams) during the Dave Wannstedt era.