From the Pittsburgh Panthers – Pitt junior quarterback Tino Sunseri has been named the Big East Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Panthers' 35-20 victory over Connecticut.

Sunseri (Pittsburgh, Pa./Pittsburgh Central Catholic) had one of the most prolific passing days in school history, completing 69% of his attempts (29 of 42) for 419 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions against the Huskies.

His passing yardage marked the highest single-game total by a Pitt quarterback in eight years and the fourth highest in school history (tying Rod Rutherford, who also threw for 419 at West Virginia in 2003).

Sunseri also established a collegiate Heinz Field record for single-game passing yards, surpassing Tyler Palko's 380 yards against Furman in 2004. The Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger holds the pro passing record at Heinz with 503 against the Green Bay Packers in 2009.

Sunseri's performance propelled Pitt to 529 yards in total offense, its highest output since the 2000 season when the Panthers compiled 584 yards in a 42-26 win over Boston College.

On the season, Sunseri is 151-of-240 passing (62.9%) for 1,623 yards with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Pitt hosts a key Big East battle this Saturday at Heinz Field when it plays nationally ranked Cincinnati (#23/22). The 6-1 Bearcats are atop the conference standings with a 2-0 league mark. The Panthers (4-4 overall) are tied for second with a 2-1 Big East record.

The game will kick off at 7 p.m., and be nationally televised by ESPNU. For ticket information log on to www.PittsburghPanthers.com or call (800) 643-PITT.

Posted in College Sports, Pittsburgh Steelers

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