BIG EAST FOOTBALL Fitzgerald keeps Pitt in style

The freshman wide receiver could be the best the Panthers ever had.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- When coach Walt Harris arrived in 1997, he talked of making Pittsburgh into Wide Receiver U. -- much as rival Penn State has long been known as Linebacker U.
Pitt went on to produce the Big East Conference's leading receiver in each of Harris' first five seasons, even as Miami and Virginia Tech enjoyed more success on the national stage than the Panthers.
With former All-American Antonio Bryant leaving after his junior season to turn pro last spring, and brand-new starters at receiver and quarterback, it seemed likely that Pitt's streak was over this season.
Thanks to Larry Fitzgerald, it isn't -- and what encourages Harris is that, in his mind, the freshman may soon the best receiver Pitt has ever had, under any coach or in any era.
Led win over Hokies
Fitzgerald, who was playing at a Virginia prep school a year ago, was largely responsible for Pitt's biggest victory in years by making three touchdown catches in a 28-21 win at then-No. 3 Virginia Tech on Saturday.
Fitzgerald scored on Rod Rutherford throws of 31, 14 and 10 yards, the final two coming on deftly executed fade patterns in the end zone after Pitt fell behind 21-7. Pitt hadn't beaten an opponent ranked as high as Virginia Tech since a Sugar Bowl victory over then-No. 2 Georgia in January 1982.
Harris usually isn't one to risk pumping up a player's ego by showering him with praise, especially a mere freshman, but even he couldn't contain himself after watching Fitzgerald's latest performance.
"You're watching one of the great football players that we've ever had, and we've had some good receivers," Harris said. "But he's right there with them."
In a year or so, he might be past all of them, including Bryant, the Biletnikoff Award winner as college football's top receiver in 2000.
"They're two different receivers, but I think they're on the same level," Rutherford said. "They're both fearless and they're both willing to go get it in a crowd."
Didn't start until third game
Despite not starting until the third game of the season, Fitzgerald has 43 catches for 648 yards and seven touchdowns as No. 22 Pittsburgh (7-2) goes into Saturday's game against Temple (3-6). Pitt is ranked for the first time in 11 years and is in position for its first 8-2 start since 1983.
With games remaining against Temple, No. 2 Miami and rival West Virginia, Fitzgerald has a chance to surpass Bryant's freshman season statistics of 51 catches for 844 yards.
Fitzgerald, a former Minneapolis-area high school star, hasn't padded his statistics against Pitt's weaker opponents, either. More than half of his catches -- 22 for 291 yards and three touchdowns -- were against Virginia Tech, Notre Dame and Texas A & amp;M. All were ranked when they met Pitt.
"Rod is starting to get a lot more confidence in me," Fitzgerald said.
Fitzgerald made five catches for 105 yards against Virginia Tech, a week after making eight receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown Oct. 26 in a 19-16 overtime victory over Boston College.
"It's amazing," Rutherford said. "He has a rare talent. I'll throw it up there and he won't even tuck the ball, it's just stuck in his hands as he falls to the ground. He never loses control of it."
Of course, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Fitzgerald had an advantage growing up that most young receivers don't enjoy. He was a Minnesota Vikings ball boy, an experience that allowed him to watch and learn from star receiver Cris Carter, among others.
"Larry knows how to go up and get it," Rutherford said.