University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Five Pitt Football Seniors Named ACC Players of the Week
11/23/2020 2:00:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Five players who figured prominently in Pitt's 47-14 demolition of Virginia Tech this past Saturday have been recognized by the Atlantic Coast Conference as "Players of the Week" at their respective positions.
Kenny Pickett was named the ACC's Quarterback of the Week after he threw for 404 yards on 35-of-52 passing (67%) and accounted for three touchdowns (two passing). Pickett became the first Pitt player to twice throw for 400 yards in a game. His 35 completions tied his career high (set vs. Penn State in 2019) and fell just two shy of the school record (37, Alex Van Pelt vs. Notre Dame in 1990). Pickett was also named to the Davey O'Brien Award's "Great 8" list for his effort.
DJ Turner earned Wide Receiver of the Week honors for his 15-catch, 184-yard performance that included a 64-yard touchdown reception. Turner's 15 catches are the most by an ACC player this year and the second most nationally. He fell just one catch shy of the Pitt single-game receptions record of 16 set by Harry Orszulak against Penn State in 1968.
Placekicker Alex Kessman accounted for 17 points in the victory, converting each of his nine placements (4-of-4 field goals, 5-of-5 extra points), to earn Specialist of the Week. Kessman boomed field goals of 53 and 52 yards, and also added 30- and 22-yard kicks. He now has 12 career field goals of 50-plus yards, extending his own school record. Kessman has now kicked 12-of-18 field goals of 50-plus yards for his career. His 66.7% success rate from that range is currently an NCAA record, surpassing Arizona's Max Zendejas, who converted 14 of 23 (60.9%) from 1982-85. Kessman was also named one of the Lou Groza Award's "Stars of the Week."
Safety Damar Hamlin was named Co-Defensive Back of the Week after he compiled a game-high 11 tackles, including three crucial stops on fourth down. Hamlin twice stopped Hokies' quarterback Hendon Hooker shy of the first-down marker with solo tackles. Then, with Virginia Tech trailing by 12 in the third quarter and facing 4th-and-goal at the Pitt 1, Hamlin teamed with linebacker Phil Campbell III to halt Hooker for no gain, turning the ball back to the Panthers. Pitt scored a touchdown four plays later to essentially ice the result.
Guard Bryce Hargrove was honored as the ACC's Offensive Lineman of the Week. Hargrove proved to be Pitt's veteran catalyst up front as the offensive line featured three first-time starters. He was Pitt's highest-graded lineman, helping the Panthers compile a season-high 556 yards. Hargrove did not give up a sack as Pitt put the ball in the air 52 times for 404 yards.
The Panthers (5-4, 4-4 ACC) play at No. 4 Clemson (7-1, 6-1) this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The game will be nationally televised by ESPN.
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Kenny Pickett was named the ACC's Quarterback of the Week after he threw for 404 yards on 35-of-52 passing (67%) and accounted for three touchdowns (two passing). Pickett became the first Pitt player to twice throw for 400 yards in a game. His 35 completions tied his career high (set vs. Penn State in 2019) and fell just two shy of the school record (37, Alex Van Pelt vs. Notre Dame in 1990). Pickett was also named to the Davey O'Brien Award's "Great 8" list for his effort.
DJ Turner earned Wide Receiver of the Week honors for his 15-catch, 184-yard performance that included a 64-yard touchdown reception. Turner's 15 catches are the most by an ACC player this year and the second most nationally. He fell just one catch shy of the Pitt single-game receptions record of 16 set by Harry Orszulak against Penn State in 1968.
Placekicker Alex Kessman accounted for 17 points in the victory, converting each of his nine placements (4-of-4 field goals, 5-of-5 extra points), to earn Specialist of the Week. Kessman boomed field goals of 53 and 52 yards, and also added 30- and 22-yard kicks. He now has 12 career field goals of 50-plus yards, extending his own school record. Kessman has now kicked 12-of-18 field goals of 50-plus yards for his career. His 66.7% success rate from that range is currently an NCAA record, surpassing Arizona's Max Zendejas, who converted 14 of 23 (60.9%) from 1982-85. Kessman was also named one of the Lou Groza Award's "Stars of the Week."
Safety Damar Hamlin was named Co-Defensive Back of the Week after he compiled a game-high 11 tackles, including three crucial stops on fourth down. Hamlin twice stopped Hokies' quarterback Hendon Hooker shy of the first-down marker with solo tackles. Then, with Virginia Tech trailing by 12 in the third quarter and facing 4th-and-goal at the Pitt 1, Hamlin teamed with linebacker Phil Campbell III to halt Hooker for no gain, turning the ball back to the Panthers. Pitt scored a touchdown four plays later to essentially ice the result.
Guard Bryce Hargrove was honored as the ACC's Offensive Lineman of the Week. Hargrove proved to be Pitt's veteran catalyst up front as the offensive line featured three first-time starters. He was Pitt's highest-graded lineman, helping the Panthers compile a season-high 556 yards. Hargrove did not give up a sack as Pitt put the ball in the air 52 times for 404 yards.
The Panthers (5-4, 4-4 ACC) play at No. 4 Clemson (7-1, 6-1) this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The game will be nationally televised by ESPN.
#H2P | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Players Mentioned
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