PITTSBURGH — Pitt has waited three years for this game.

During what was supposed to be the pinnacle season of former coach Walt Harris' eight-year career at the school, the Panthers' 35-31 defeat at Toledo in 2003 proved to be one of the deepest valleys. They had no defense for Pittsburgh-raised quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, who went 49-of-62 for 461 yards and three touchdowns and was 18-of-20 on the Rockets' final two drives.

Pitt was ranked No. 9 and had Heisman Trophy runner-up Larry Fitzgerald in its lineup, yet lost for the first time to a Mid-American Conference team. The loss set the tone for a disappointing 8-5 season that helped lead to Harris' departure a year later.

Pitt plays Toledo on Saturday for the first time since that upset, one that resonates as one of the worst in school history — even though Gradkowski now plays for Tampa Bay in the NFL. Second-year coach Dave Wannstedt already knows how Harris felt that night, as his Panthers were stunned at Ohio University in overtime last season — Pitt's second loss to a MAC school.

Several Pitt players, including quarterback Tyler Palko and linebacker H.B. Blades, were around for that 2003 loss.

"We all know their history — they've been the top team, or one of the top teams, in their conference," Wannstedt said. "We do have a couple of players that remember what happened the last time we played these guys. There won't be anything that anyone takes for granted this week."

Only this time, the circumstances are reversed somewhat.

While Pitt (3-1) remains the big favorite as it looks to improve to 4-1 for the third time since 2000, it is Toledo (2-2) that must worry about trying to stop one of the nation's best passers.

Palko, looking much more comfortable in Wannstedt's offense than he did last season, is tied for the lead nationally with 12 touchdown passes, and his 187.3 passer efficiency rating also is tops in the country. Palko has completed 71 of 107 passes with 12 TDs and three interceptions, numbers much like those of a sophomore season in which he threw for 24 touchdowns and had only seven interceptions.

"When you have time to throw the ball and you have a good quarterback, you're going to have opportunities to make plays," Wannstedt said.

Palko may have something else going for him as Wannstedt plans to play top freshman recruit Dorin Dickerson for the first time. Dickerson was bothered by injuries during training camp and only now is getting into game shape.

Dickerson played at Palko's former Pittsburgh-area high school, West Allegheny, for Palko's father, coach Bob Palko, and is versatile enough to line up at wide receiver or running back.

That's all Toledo coach Tom Amstutz needs to see: more speed in Pitt's lineup. Pitt wide receiver Derek Kinder already has 20 catches for 445 yards and five touchdowns.

"The first thing you notice is their team speed," Amstutz said. "They all fly. They have a lot of speed."

Amstutz's own QB situation is unsettled. Redshirt freshman Brandon Summers started in a 41-7 rout of McNeese State last week, but regular Clint Cochran could return from an unspecified injury.