University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Football News Honors Three Panthers
7/8/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Football News Honors Three Panthers
7/8/2002
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Gerald Hayes ranks among the nation's top defenders. |
With the opening of the college football season less than two months away, the accolades continue to build for University of Pittsburgh linebacker Gerald Hayes.
The latest honor for Hayes (Paterson, N.J./Passaic County Technical Institute) comes from Football News, which named him a second team All-American. Football News is the fourth publication to name the 6-3, 245-pound senior to its All-America Team.
Additionally, Football News named senior offensive lineman Bryan Anderson (Philadelphia, Pa./John Bartram) and senior defensive back Torrie Cox (Miami, Fla./Miami Northwestern) to its All-Big East Team.
The three players figured prominently for the Panthers? Tangerine Bowl champion team in 2001. This year they are among 17 returning starters who will look to help Pittsburgh achieve its third straight postseason berth.
Hayes earned first team All-Big East and All-Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) last year after recording 104 tackles (62 solo). He added 15 tackles for losses and 6.5 sacks. Hayes ranks 14th all-time at Pittsburgh with 269 career tackles (including postseason games).
In addition to All-America honors, he is also a viable candidate for some of the nation?s elite defensive awards, including the Butkus Award (top linebacker), Bronko Nagurski Trophy (top defensive player) and the Rotary Lombardi Award (top lineman or linebacker).
The 6-5, 320-pound Anderson has been a mainstay on Pittsburgh?s offensive line the last three years. With 34 career starts at right guard, he is the Panthers? most experienced offensive performer. Anderson has never missed a game during his college career (35 total games) and figures to be a leader for Pittsburgh?s offensive front that returns all five starters from last season.
Cox has established himself as one of the Big East?s most productive cornerbacks and special teams players the last two years. Cox had 12 passes defended last season to rank third in the Big East. His 24.0 kickoff return average also ranked third in the conference. He has been the Panthers? special teams MVP and captain the last two years.
Pittsburgh opens the 2002 season Aug. 31 at Heinz Field against Ohio. Kickoff time is set for 7 p.m. For season-ticket information contact the University of Pittsburgh Ticket Office at (800) 643-PITT or (412) 648-PITT.
