Sophomore receiver and Heisman trophy finalist Larry Fitzgerald has been named Division I-A… Sophomore receiver and Heisman trophy finalist Larry Fitzgerald has been named Division I-A Player of the Year by the Eastern College Athletic Conference.

Fitzgerald’s latest honor makes him just the second Pitt player to win the ECAC award, along with fellow receiver Antonio Bryant in 2000.

Fitzgerald, who became the first sophomore to win three regions in the Heisman voting race, also won the Walter Camp Player of the Year and the Biletnikoff awards and was named Big East Offensive Player of the Year.

In 2003, Fitzgerald set two NCAA receiving records, including consecutive games with a touchdown catch (18) and touchdown catches as a freshman and sophomore (34). He also caught a touchdown pass in every regular season game, giving him 12 in one season and tying him with Randy Moss for the NCAA record.

Four of Fitzgerald’s teammates were also named to the ECAC All-Star Team. Quarterback Rod Rutherford, tackle Rob Petitti, tight end Kris Wilson and punter Andy Lee were all honored.

Gymnastics breaks into top 25

The Panthers women’s gymnastics team has entered into the top 25, according to GymInfo, after registering 193.45 points in their season opener. The Panthers (1-1, 1-0 in the Eastern Atlantic Gymnastics League) are ranked second in the EAGL behind New Hampshire.

The Panthers host North Carolina State and James Madison this Friday for their 2004 home opener.