Oct. 22, 2007

   PITTSBURGH--University of Pittsburgh junior placekicker Conor Lee has been selected the Big East Conference's Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in the Panthers' 24-17 victory over then- No. 23 Cincinnati this past Saturday.

   One of the nation's most accurate placekickers, Lee matched his career high with 10 points in the Cincinnati game. He was perfect on each of his four placements, including field goals of 41, 25 and 37 yards.

   A candidate for this year's Lou Groza Award, Lee additionally converted his lone extra-point attempt against Cincinnati to extend his school-record PAT streak to 66. The previous record (60) was held for 32 years by Carson Long, who established the mark over the 1974-75 seasons.

   On the year, Lee is a perfect 19 of 19 on extra points and 10 of 11 in field goals. Among Big East kickers, he ranks first in field goal percentage (90.9%), first (tied) in PAT percentage (100%) and third (tied) in field goals (1.43 FG/game).

   Since taking over as Pitt's starting placekicker in 2006, Lee (Upper St. Clair, Pa./Upper St. Clair/Fork Union Military Academy) has missed only three placements (all field goals). For his career he is 66 of 66 on PATs and 22 of 25 (88%) in field goals for 132 points.

   Pitt (3-4, 1-1 Big East) returns to action this Saturday, Oct. 27, when it plays at Louisville (4-4, 1-2). The game will be televised by ESPN Regional and shown locally on Pittsburgh's WTAE-TV, channel 4.