COLLEGE FOOTBALL Toledo entertains No. 9-ranked Pitt

The Rockets feel they can play with any team this season.
TOLEDO (AP) -- It may be understandable if No. 9 Pittsburgh looks past its matchup with Toledo tonight after steamrolling two other Mid-American Conference teams.
Then again, the Rockets aren't any MAC team.
Toledo, along with Marshall, has been the conference's dominant team over the last five seasons, during which they've beaten Penn State and Minnesota.
The Rockets are 18-1 at home over the last three seasons, and they're feeling confident coming off a victory at Marshall.
Highest ranked opponent
That's why they were all smiles this week when talking about playing the highest-ranked team ever to visit Toledo (2-1).
"We come out every game knowing we can hang with anybody on our schedule," quarterback Bruce Gradkowski said.
Gradkowski, who grew up in Pittsburgh, directs an offense that spreads the field and uses multiple formations. He's completed 60 percent of his passes this season, seven for touchdowns. He's also one of the fastest players on the team and always a threat to run.
Pitt coach Walt Harris recruited Gradkowski and has been impressed by his progress.
"I don't think we will rattle him," Harris said. "We have to cover him, so our rush gets to him. We have to have our linebackers in the zone so he has nowhere to go."
Harris has warned his team not to be complacent. The Panthers (2-0) have been inconsistent in wins over Kent State and Ball State. And he doesn't expect Toledo to be intimidated playing a Top 10 team.
"They are a veteran football team, a successful program, and I know they won't get so hyped up that they won't play four quarters," Harris said.
MAC teams doing well
There's may be another reason for Pitt to worry -- two MAC teams already have pulled off big upsets of ranked opponents.
Northern Illinois beat Maryland to open the season and Bowling Green knocked off Purdue two weeks ago.
Slowing down quarterback Rod Rutherford will be Toledo coach Tom Amstutz's top priority. He has thrown for seven touchdowns in only five quarters -- five to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, one of the nation's best.
Toledo will start a pair of Pittsburgh natives in the defensive backfield -- cornerback Brandon Hefflin and safety Patrick Body.