Pitt’s Devonshire Named Thorpe Award National DB of the Week
10/19/2023 12:00:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Pitt senior cornerback M.J. Devonshire has been named the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award National Defensive Back of the Week for his performance in the Panthers' 38-21 victory over previously unbeaten Louisville, it was announced today by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.
Devonshire collected six tackles, broke up five passes and returned an interception 86 yards for a touchdown against the Cardinals.
This is the second weekly Thorpe Award honor for Devonshire. He was honored in 2022 for his performance in the Panthers' 38-31 victory over West Virginia when he had a game-winning 56-yard interception return for a TD.
Devonshire now has a Pitt-record (tied) three career pick sixes. His 86-yarder against Louisville marked the longest INT return by a Pitt player since Chiffon Allen's 97-yarder for a score at Houston on Sept. 13, 1997.
The Thorpe recognition is the third honor for Devonshire this week. He previously was named the Reese's Senior Bowl Co-Defensive Player of the Week and ACC Defensive Back of the Week.
Devonshire leads the ACC and ranks fifth nationally with an average of 1.5 passes defended per game. In addition to his interception, he has a team-high eight pass breakups.
The Panthers play at Wake Forest this Saturday. The game will be televised by ACC Network and kick off at 3:30 p.m.
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