(AP Photo/Steve C. Wilson)

PITTSBURGH—Pitt senior placekicker/punter Dan Hutchins, one of the country’s most productive specialists, has been named the Big East Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in the Panthers’ 45-14 victory over Syracuse this past weekend.

Hutchins (Williamsport, Pa./Loyalsock Township) averaged 50.0 yards on five punts, including boots of 54, 52, 54 and 50 yards. He had two punts downed inside the 20. Hutchins was also perfect on seven placements, going 6 of 6 on extra points and connecting on his lone field goal attempt (24 yards), totaling nine points on the day.

A frontrunner for Big East Special Teams Player of the Year, Hutchins currently ranks third nationally in punting with a 47.08 average and 16th in field goals (tied, 1.67 field goals/game). He leads the Big East in every major specialist category, including punting average, field goals per game, field goal percentage (tied, 71.4%, 10 of 14), PAT kicking percentage (tied, 100%, 19 of 19) and kick scoring (tied, 8.2 points/game).

His strong performance as a punter has helped Pitt lead the nation with a 44.83 net average.

This is Hutchins’ second weekly Big East honor this year and the third of his career. He was previously honored this season for his 14-point performance against FIU on Oct. 2.

Pitt (3-3, 1-0 Big East) will host Rutgers (4-2, 1-0) this Saturday at Heinz Field. The contest will have a noon kickoff and be televised by ESPN Regional as the “Big East Network Game of the Week” (WTAE-TV, channel 4, in Pittsburgh).

For ticket information, log on to http://www.PittsburghPanthers.com or call (800) 643-PITT.