Sept. 23, 2006

Recap |  Box Score |  Quotes |  Photo Gallery

PITT POST-GAME NOTES

Pitt vs. The Citadel, Heinz Field, September 23, 2006

• Tyler Palko's 88.2 completion percentage today ranks sixth on the Big East's all-time completion percentage list for a game. He completed 15 of 17 passes for 313 yards and four touchdowns.
• With his 313 yards passing today, Palko moved into fourth place on Pitt's all-time career passing yardage list with 6,612 career yards. He passed John Congemi (6,467 yards, 1983-86) for fourth place. Palko trails 1. Alex Van Pelt (11,267 yards), 2. Dan Marino (8,597) and 3. Rod Rutherford (6,724).
• With his 330 total yards (17 rushing, 313 passing), Tyler Palko moved into fourth place on Pitt's all-time career total offense leaders list. Palko, who concluded the game with 6,655 total yards, passed both Tony Dorsett (No. 5, 6,526 yards) and John Congemi (No. 6, 6,351 yards) in today's first half. Now in fourth place, Palko trails 1. Alex Van Pelt (11,148 yards), 2. Dan Marino (8,320) and 3. Rod Rutherford (7,609).
• Pitt amassed 506 total yards of offense today. The last time Pitt gained over 500 yards was against Youngstown State (528 yards) on September 24, 2005.
• Pitt's 81.8 percent team completion percentage (18-22) ranks fifth among top Big East game completion percentage records. Pitt now owns three of the top five Big East team completion percentage marks.
• With his six tackles today, senior linebacker H.B. Blades moved into 10^th place on Pitt's all-time career tackles list. Blades, who has 333 career tackles, passed Ramon Walker (329 from 1999-2001).
• Wide receiver Oderick Turner finished with a career-high 130 receiving yards. It was his first career 100-yard receiving game. He also tied career-highs for receptions (five) and touchdown catches (one).
• Pitt scored 51 points in the contest. The last time Pitt scored over 50 points was on October 2, 1999 when it defeated Temple 55-24.
• Pitt scored 35 points in the first half and led 35-6 at halftime. The last time Pitt scored at least 35 first half points was against Rutgers on October 23, 2004 when it held a 38-3 halftime lead.
• Pitt scored on three of its four opportunities today in the Red Zone (20-yard line). On the season, Pitt has scored on 10 of its 11 red zone opportunities.
• Conredge Collins' 36-yard touchdown reception from Tyler Palko in the first quarter was the first touchdown of his career.
• Tight end Darrell Strong threw his first career pass, a 30-yard touchdown pass to LaRod Stephens-Howling in the second quarter.
• LaRod Stephens-Howling made his first career touchdown reception on 30-yard catch in the second quarter.
• Kevin Collier registered his first career touchdown run (one-yarder) in the fourth quarter.
• Marcel Pestano made his first career touchdown reception (22-yarder) in the second quarter. He finished with a career-high 54 yards receiving.
• Reggie Carter made his first career interception in the third quarter.
• Defensive end Chris McKillop and linebacker Brian Bennett made their first start of the season.
• With its victory today, Pitt improves to 6-0 all-time against NCAA Division I-AA opponents. The last time Pitt played an NCAA Division I-AA opponent was Youngstown State last year.
• Today's victory gave Pitt a 3-1 start for the third time in the last five seasons. The Panthers also started the 2003 and 2002 campaigns with 3-1 records after four games. Pitt advanced to a bowl game in each of those two seasons.
• Pitt and The Citadel met for the first time.
• Representing Pitt at today's coin toss were Tyler Palko, Clint Session, H.B. Blades and Steve Buches.