University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Four Panthers Earn ACC Football Player of the Week Accolades
11/21/2022 1:00:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Pitt dominated the ACC's weekly football awards following Saturday's 28-26 win over Duke.
Four Panthers were honored: Israel Abanikanda (running back of the week); SirVocea Dennis (linebacker), Brandon Hill (defensive back) and Ben Sauls (specialist).
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Four Panthers were honored: Israel Abanikanda (running back of the week); SirVocea Dennis (linebacker), Brandon Hill (defensive back) and Ben Sauls (specialist).
- Abanikanda achieved his eighth 100-yard rushing game of the season, the most by a Pitt player since Dion Lewis logged 10 in 2009. He rushed for 113 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries (6.6 avg.), and added a 2-point conversion rush that ultimately provided the winning margin. This is Abanikanda's fourth ACC Running Back of the Week accolade of the season and his fifth weekly ACC award overall.
- Dennis collected a career-high 14 tackles and added a TFL and forced fumble against the Blue Devils. He was responsible for the game's most pivotal stop, snuffing out a trick play on a 2-point conversion attempt with 47 seconds remaining. Dennis sacked Duke's Jordan Moore, who had taken a handoff on a reverse pass play, preserving Pitt's two-point lead. This is his first ACC Linebacker of the Week honor of the season and fourth of his career.
- Hill's 30-yard scoop and score in the fourth quarter proved crucial in Pitt's victory. The fumble return touchdown and subsequent 2-point conversion gave the Panthers a 28-14 lead with 13:30 left. In addition to his decisive TD, Hill added eight tackles and a pass breakup. This is his first ACC Defensive Back of the Week honor of the season and third of his career.
- Sauls accounted for eight points in the victory, converting each of his four placements (2-of-2 field goals, 2-of-2 extra points). He opened the scoring with a 47-yard field goal and later boomed a 51-yarder under blustery and cold conditions. Sauls' 51-yard field goal marked the longest by a Pitt player since Nov. 21, 2020, when Alex Kessman converted kicks of 52 and 53 yards against Virginia Tech. This is Sauls' first career ACC Specialist of the Week honor.
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Players Mentioned
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