Fitzgerald earns honors

By MATT SORTINO

The honors for Pitt sophomore wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald just keep on coming.

After… The honors for Pitt sophomore wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald just keep on coming.

After catching seven passes for 135 yards and three touchdowns last Saturday against Texas A’M, Fitzgerald was named Big East Co-Offensive Player of the Week.

Fitzgerald shares the award with Rutgers running back Justise Hairston. It was the second time a Panther has won the award this year. Quarterback Rod Rutherford received the accolade after his performance against Ball State.

Fitzgerald, an All-American candidate, is also on the Biletnikoff Award watch list, which is given annually to the nation’s best wide receiver. Fitzgerald leads the nation in receiving yards per game, with 145.8, and ranks second in scoring, with 13.5 points per contest.

In the win over the Aggies Saturday, Fitzgerald extended his own school record for consecutive games with a touchdown to 10. He caught touchdown passes of 34, five and 49 yards.

ABC broadcaster Brent Musberger said, “Mark it down folks, I think this young man should be a Heisman Trophy candidate. I haven’t seen a performance to rival this in a long time.”

On the season, Fitzgerald has 32 catches for 583 yards and nine touchdowns and averages 18.2 yards a reception. He has 18 touchdowns in his last 10 games.

National television audience to see Panthers take on Fighting Irish

When the No. 15 Pitt Panthers take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Oct. 11, they will do it in the national spotlight. ESPN has announced that they will broadcast the game, which is set for a 6 p.m. kickoff at Heinz Field, nationally.

The Panthers, coming off a 37-26 victory over Texas A’M, have a bye this weekend before returning to action against the Fighting Irish.