| Pitt’s Pickett and Addison Named Finalists for Prestigious National Awards PITTSBURGH—Pitt’s prolific quarterback-receiver duo of Kenny Pickett and Jordan Addison is arguably the best in all of college football. That claim received major validation today when ESPN announced that both players are finalists for prestigious national awards. Pickett was unveiled as a finalist for the Maxwell Award—presented to “the outstanding player in college football”—and the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award. Addison is a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, presented to the “outstanding college football receiver regardless of position.” The winner of each award will be announced on ESPN’s live telecast of The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 9. Pickett is having the most productive season ever by a Pitt quarterback and is poised to rewrite many ACC passing records as well. Through 11 games, he has completed 67% of his passes (286 of 426) for 3,857 yards with 36 touchdowns and only six interceptions. Including his four rushing scores, he has totaled 40 TDs this season. Pickett ranks third nationally in total offense (370.4 yards per game), fourth in passing touchdowns (36), fifth in points responsible for (240), fifth in passing yards (350.6 yards per game) and eighth in pass efficiency (168.3 rating). He is Pitt’s first Maxwell finalist since wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald in 2003. Two Pitt players have won the Maxwell: running back Tony Dorsett in 1976 and defensive end Hugh Green in 1980. A Pitt quarterback has never won the Davey O’Brien Award. Dan Marino was a two-time finalist for the honor (1981 and 1982). Not since Fitzgerald, who won the 2003 Biletnikoff Award, has a Pitt wide receiver received as much national acclaim as Addison. The spotlight has been well deserved. Addison leads the nation with 15 touchdown receptions. He is fourth nationally—and first among Power 5 players—with 1,272 receiving yards. Per Pro Football Focus, Addison leads the country with 18 catches of 20-plus yards. He has 74 total receptions this season. In Pitt’s Coastal Division-clinching 48-38 win over Virginia, Addison achieved one of the greatest individual receiving performances in Pitt history, compiling 14 receptions for 202 yards and four touchdowns. His final score—a 62-yard catch-and-run touchdown with 2:10left—sealed the victory and division crown for Pitt. Addison is the third Pitt player to be a finalist for the Biletnikoff. In addition to Fitzgerald,Antonio Bryant won the award in 2000. Pickett and Addison have fueled one of the country’s most powerful offenses. The Panthers rank second nationally in total offense (529.1 yards per game) and third in scoring (43.9 points per game). Pitt, ranked No. 17 in this week’s USA Today AFCA Coaches Poll, owns a 9-2 overall record and 6-1 mark in ACC play. The Panthers close the regular season at Syracuse this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The game will be televised by ACC Network. Pitt National Award Candidates Jordan Addison—Wide Receiver Biletnikoff Award Finalist (outstanding college football receiver) Cal Adomitis—Long Snapper Patrick Mannelly Award Semifinalist (college football’s top long snapper) Kenny Pickett—Quarterback Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award Finalist (nation's best quarterback) Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Finalist (top upperclassman quarterback) Maxwell Award Finalist (outstanding player in college football) Senior CLASS Award Finalist (most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I football) Walter Camp Award Semifinalist (college player of the year) |
