Sep 28, 2006 By Stephen Flinn For The 4 min read

PITTSBURGH – For the third time this season, a member of Pitt’s squad earned “Big East Player of the Week” honors. The latest honoree was quarterback Tyler Palko who was named for his performance against The Citadel last Saturday. He joins linebackers H.B. Blades (Sept. 11) and Clint Session (Sept. 4).

Palko completed over 88 percent of his passes (15 of 17) against The Citadel for 313 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions, which was the sixth-highest single-game completion rate in Big East history.

He is the nation’s leader in pass efficiency with a 187.25 rating and is tied for the lead in touchdown passes with 12. He ranks fourth in the nation in total passing yards (1,140) and points-per-game (18) as well as sixth in yards-per-game (293.5).

Palko credits offensive coordinator Matt Cavan-augh’s offense – a West Coast-style modeled after the system implemented by former San Francisco 49’ers coach Bill Walsh.

“The West Coast offense that Coach Cavanaugh has installed is the same system from Bill Walsh’s playbook,” Palko said. “If you open it up and look at the routes, you’ll see a system based on efficiency, timing and making sure the play-makers are in the right place at the right time.”

He feels the longer the team runs the offense, the more efficient it will become.

“It takes time for a system-based offense like this to jell,” Palko said. “There’s no better offense to run than one that’s based on efficiency.”

Coach Dave Wannstedt described Pitt’s victory over The Citadel last Saturday as efficient spearheaded by Palko on offense.

“Efficient is the way to describe our last game, and obviously, it started with Tyler (Palko) at quarterback,” Wannstedt said. “He played real smart and we didn’t turn the football over.”

He hopes the Panthers will remain efficient when they host MAC Conference opponent Toledo (2-2, 0-1 MAC) at noon Satruday at Heinz Field when Pitt (3-1, 1-0 Big East) hopes to improve to 4-1 for the first time since the 2002 season.

“Toledo has been one of the top teams in the MAC and has been to a bowl game four out of the last five years,” Wannstedt said. “No one is taking this team for granted.

Toledo upset Pitt in Toledo in 2003. The seniors and fifth-year seniors, including Palko, Blades and Session experienced the loss first-hand.

“I don’t have to say anything about that loss a few years ago,” Wannstedt said. “The guys that were there will say enough about it, and better than I can, I promise you that.”

He credits Toledo’s offense as being balanced with a system that works for their personnel. They use two quarterbacks, Brandon Summers and Aaron Opelt, which presents a challenge for opposing defenses.

“Most of their passing game is a lot of movement passes with good players at wide receiver and tight end and are supported by good running backs,” Wannstedt said. “They rotate quarterbacks and don’t miss a beat, so they’re a tough team to prepare for.”

He also credits Toledo’s offensive line as one of the biggest the Panthers will play this season.

“These guys may not be as big at Michigan State, but they’ll be as big or bigger than Cincinnati and probably compare to Virginia because they’ve done a great job recruiting,” Wannstedt said. “There’s a lot of players in Ohio and Ohio State can’t take them all, so I see size, strength, and talent on their whole team.”

On defense, Toledo rotates the four-three and three-four scheme, which Wannstedt described as complicated to attack.”

“Toledo’s defense is different than anything else we’ve seen this year,” Wannstedt said. “We know they will be a tough challenge on offense and defense, plus they’re coming off a two-game win streak, so we better be ready to play this week.”

NOTES: After earning a starting job at defensive end, Doug Fulmer had surgery on his ankle and is out for the season. He will be replaced by Chris McKillop.

Defensive tackle Mick Williams is expected to return this week from an injured shoulder.

Linebacker Tommie Campbell will return after serving a one-game suspension.

Wide receiver Derek Kinder leads the nation in receiving yards per game with 111.3.

The game will be televised on ESPNU and former Ohio State and Pittsburgh Steeler quarterback Mike Tomczak will be the color-man on the broadcast crew.