University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Bryant Named Big East Player of the Week
10/23/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Bryant Named Big East Player of the Week
10/23/2000
PITTSBURGH - University of Pittsburgh sophomore Antonio Bryant, who leads the nation in receiving with an incredible 140.6 yards per game, has been named the Big East Conference Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in Pittsburgh's 42-26 victory over Boston College.
It is the second Big East Player of the Week award for Bryant (Miami, Fla./Miami Northwestern) this season. He was also honored following the Sept. 9 Bowling Green game.
An All-America and Biletnikoff Award candidate, Bryant had eight receptions for a career-high 222 yards versus Boston College, an incredible average of 27.8 yards per catch. His receiving yardage was just three shy of the Big East and Pittsburgh record, set in 1994 by Dietrich Jells (versus West Virginia). Bryant helped propel Pittsburgh to its highest point total of the season by catching touchdowns of 41 and 67 yards.
It was the sixth triple-digit receiving effort of his brief career (16 games) and his second 200-yard performance. His previous career-best was 215 receiving yards (on 13 catches) versus Virginia Tech last year. Bryant is the first player in Pittsburgh history to have two 200-yard receiving games.
On the season, Bryant has 35 catches for 703 yards (20.1 avg.) and five touchdowns. In addition to pacing the country in receiving yards, he also ranks eighth nationally in receptions (7.0 avg.). Bryant leads the Big East in both categories as well.
Pittsburgh now has seven Big East Player of the Week awards this season. In addition Bryant's two awards, the Panthers' other honorees include quarterback/kick returner Rod Rutherford (Sept. 25), linebacker Gerald Hayes (Sept. 25), defensive end Bryan Knight (Sept. 11 and Sept. 18) and placekicker Nick Lotz (Sept. 4).
Off to its best start in nine years, Pittsburgh (5-1 overall, 2-1 Big East) plays at second-ranked Virginia Tech (7-0, 5-0) this Saturday. The game will kick off at 3:30 p.m., and be televised by CBS (channel 2 in Pittsburgh).
