University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Dion Lewis Named to SI.com Midseason All-America Team
10/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 23, 2009
PITTSBURGH--The national profile of Pitt freshman tailback Dion Lewis continues to rise.
Lewis, who has the second highest rushing total in the country with 918 yards, is featured in this week's college football section of Sports Illustrated (Link: "Highlight Show" by Mark Beech).
Additionally, he was named a first team "Midseason All-American" by SI.com. Lewis was one of two first-team running backs recognized by the magazine's website, joining Alabama's Mark Ingram.
It is the latest accolade for Lewis (Albany, N.Y./Blair Academy [N.J.]), who earlier this week was named the Big East Offensive Player of the Week and the Rivals.com National Freshman of the Week after he rushed for 180 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-17 victory at Rutgers.
The Rutgers game marked Lewis' fourth 100-yard rushing effort of the season. He ranks third nationally in rushing yards per game (131. 14 avg.) and is 25th in scoring (tied, 8.57 points/game).
With 60 total points, Lewis is well on pace to surpass Pitt's freshman scoring record of 90 set in 2007 by tailback LeSean McCoy (now with the Philadelphia Eagles).
Pitt (6-1, 3-0 Big East) surged into the national polls this week, ranking No. 19 in the USA Today coaches poll and No. 20 by The Associated Press. The Panthers are No. 20 in the newly released Bowl Championship Series rankings.
The Panthers will host Big East foe South Florida (5-1, 1-1) this Saturday at Heinz Field. Kickoff is set for noon.
For ticket information, call (800) 643-PITT or log on to www.PittsburghPanthers.com.
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