Nov 5, 2002

By ALAN ROBINSON
AP Sports Writer

PITTSBURGH (AP) - When coach Walt Harris arrived in 1997, he talked about making Pittsburgh into Wide Receiver U. - much as rival Penn State long has 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.

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 soon might be Pitt's best receiver ever.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Fitzgerald largely was responsible for Pitt's biggest victory in years, scoring three touchdowns in a 28-21 win at then-No. 3 Virginia Tech on Saturday.

Fitzgerald scored on Rod Rutherford's throws of 31, 14 and 10 yards, the final two coming on deftly executed fade patterns after Pitt fell behind 21-7. Pitt hadn't beaten an opponent ranked so high since a Sugar Bowl victory over No. 2 Georgia in January 1982.

Harris usually isn't one to risk pumping up a player's ego by showering him with praise, 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."

Terry Murphy, Latef Grim, R.J. English and Bryant previously led the Big East in receiving under Harris. Before them, Pitt's long line of excellent receivers included former NFL players Mike Ditka, Joe Walton, Gordon Jones, Julius Dawkins, Dietrich Jells and Dwight Collins, plus 1930s-era stars Joe Skladany and Bill Daddio.

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.

"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."