PITT'S LESEAN MCCOY AND PAUL RHOADS HONORED BY RIVALS
12/5/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 5, 2007
PITTSBURGH--Pitt tailback LeSean McCoy and defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads have been honored by Rivals.com for their roles in the Panthers' stunning 13-9 upset of West Virginia this past Saturday.
Rhoads was named Coordinator of the Week, while McCoy was honored as the National Freshman of the Week by Rivals.
"West Virginia's Pat White and Steve Slaton weren't the most effective runners on the field Saturday," wrote David Fox of Rivals. "That would be Pitt freshman LeSean McCoy, who ran 38 times for 148 yards. Plus, West Virginia's defense was upstaged by Pittsburgh's. WVU managed only 183 yards of offense and its lowest point total since the Gator Bowl after the 2003 season."
McCoy outrushed the entire West Virginia team, finishing with 148 yards despite being the focus of the Mountaineers' defense. His performance helped the Panthers hold a nearly 13-minute advantage in time of possession, keeping the Mountaineers' offense on the sidelines for most of the game.
In the process, McCoy finished the season with a Big East freshman-record 1,328 yards rushing on 276 carries (4.81 avg.), surpassing Terrell Willis' (Rutgers) mark of 1,261 set in 1993. McCoy additionally set Pitt freshman records for points (90) and rushing touchdowns (14) this season, surpassing Tony Dorsett's 34-year-old marks (78 points, 13 rushing TDs in 1973).
In addition to his Rivals honor, it was announced today that McCoy was a first team All-Big East selection and the 2007 Big East Rookie of the Year.
Rhoads oversaw a game plan for West Virginia that neutralized one of the nation's most prolific offenses. The Mountaineers entered the contest averaging 41.6 points and 474.8 yards per game. They finished the Pitt contest with just one touchdown and 183 total yards.
Moreover, the Panthers limited West Virginia to just 104 yards on the ground, its lowest single-game rushing total since 2001 when the Panthers held them to that same total in a 23-17 victory. The Mountaineers' total offense and point totals were their lowest since 2003.
Pitt ranks seventh nationally in total defense, yielding just 297.67 yards per game. The Panthers also boast lofty national rankings in pass defense (fourth, 167.25 yards/game), sacks (tied for 19th, 2.92 sacks/game), pass efficiency defense (27th, 113.96 rating) and rush defense (35th, 130.42 yards/game).
Pitt's victory over West Virginia is being called the biggest upset win in the Panthers' 118 years of collegiate football. The Panthers, who entered the game as a four-touchdown underdog, not only defeated their most intense rival but also knocked the Mountaineers from a possible berth in the BCS title game.
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