Fulmer injured, Mathews to see time

Pitt football regained its winning magic with a dominating victory over Division I-AA The… Pitt football regained its winning magic with a dominating victory over Division I-AA The Citadel last Saturday. The Panthers return to action Saturday at Heinz Field hosting the Toledo Rockets at noon.

Pitt quarterback Tyler Palko completed 17 of 19 passes for 313 yards and four touchdowns in the contest, continuing his effectiveness in the pocket. The breakout day pushed Palko into fourth place among Pitt’s all-time passing and total offense leaders.

Four Panthers scored their first touchdowns of the season, and tight end Darrell Strong — a quarterback in high school — even threw a touchdown pass of his own to running back LaRod Stephens-Howling, who scored his first career touchdown with the catch.

Defensive setbacks

Despite all the good news this week for the Panthers, Pitt head coach Dave Wannstedt announced that defensive end Doug Fulmer would need season-ending surgery on his left ankle. The surgery was conducted Wednesday.

“[It’s] really a shame because [Fulmer] worked so hard to get a starting job,” Wannstedt said. “He worked so hard to put himself in a position to really have an outstanding year. It’s very unfortunate.”

The Panthers will mix five defensive linemen to fill Fulmer’s slot.

Wannstedt plans to rotate freshman McKenzie Mathews, redshirt junior Joe Clermond and redshirt senior Charles Sallet with stalwart defensive end Chris McKillop.

Defensive tackle Vernon Botts, a redshirt senior, will also move over to end for some reps of his own.

Wannstedt expects defensive tackle Nick Williams to return for Saturday’s game. Williams had off-season surgery on his right leg and slightly damaged his shoulder last week, enough to force him to miss Pitt’s contest with The Citadel.

With the return of Williams and the continued progression of Pitt’s corps of defensive linemen, Wannstedt has a tough decision to make come game day in terms of playing time.

“There’s a part of me that wishes a couple guys would jump ahead of the pack, but that hasn’t happened,” Wannstedt said.

Experienced bunch

The Pitt defensive linemen will have their hands full Saturday as they challenge Toledo’s experienced and talented offensive line. The Rockets possess three seniors and two juniors whose average size is 6 feet 3 inches, 311 pounds.

“These boys will be as big as anybody we’ve played,” Wannstedt said. “They will be a very, very good challenge for our young defense.”

The massive offensive line will block for possibly three different quarterbacks Sunday, as Toledo head coach Tom Amstutz noted Tuesday that the starting position would be a game-time decision.

The three candidates for the starting quarterback position are sophomore Clint Cochran, redshirt freshman Brandon Summers and freshman Aaron Opelt. Summers saw most of the action in Toledo’s 41-7 victory over McNeese State Saturday.

“We’re going to defend what they do,” Wannstedt said. “I think we have a pretty good feel for what they do philosophy-wise. We know these guys pretty good, they haven’t changed much and they’re going to come in and run their offense.”

A trio of runners

Pitt will use three running backs this weekend, featuring Stephens-Howling, redshirt freshman Shane Brooks and freshman Kevin Collier. But Wannstedt stressed there is still more work needed for his team’s running game.

“I’m not happy with our run game at all,” Wannstedt said. “We have a lot of work to do there. If we’re going to be a good football team, we’ve got to find a way to run the ball more effectively.”

Wannstedt didn’t blame his running backs, but he emphasized the need to take things slowly with the young trio.

“I’m pleased with our backs,” Wannstedt said. “We just have to be careful. We can only go so fast and that’s the challenge from a coaching standpoint, not to get ahead of ourselves.”

Final showdown

Saturday’s game with Toledo is the last game of the three-game series between the two schools. The first two contests were each won by the home team — in 2002, Pitt won 37-19, and in 2003, Toledo upset the No. 9 Panthers, 35-31.

Pitt holds an all-time record of 23-2 against Mid-American Conference opponents. A MAC team has never defeated the Panthers at home.

ESPNU, ESPN’s college sports branch, is covering Saturday’s game. Former Steelers quarterback Mike Tomczak will be the analyst.