It was an up-and-down season for the Pitt Panthers in their second year in the ACC, but few different players made it a memorable one individually and were recognized by the ACC on Monday.
Led by running back James Conner’s record breaking season, Pitt landed four players on the All-ACC team.
In addition to Conner, sophomore receiver Tyler Boyd and senior offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings were first-team selections. Boyd was also a second-team pick as a kick returner. Senior guard Matt Rotheram was also a third-team selection.
Conner was actually the top vote getter in the conference. He put together a regular season that saw him become the nation’s fourth-leading rusher with 1,675 yards on 277 carries (6.0 avg.). He also ranks second in the nation in rushing touchdowns (24), fifth in scoring (12.0 ppg.) and sixth in rushing yards per game (139.6 avg.). Conner also led the ACC in each one of those categories.
He also broke records along the way, including both the Pitt and ACC records for both rushing and total touchdowns in a season.
Boyd also put up a big statistical campaign as he became the first player in ACC history to compile 1,000 receiving yards in both his freshman and sophomore seasons. The Clairton native finished his sophomore season with 69 catches for 1,149 yards (16.7 avg.) and eight touchdowns.
He also became just the second Pitt wide receiver to put together two different 1,000 yard seasons, joining Larry Fitzgerald.
Clemmings is only in his second season as an offensive lineman and has quickly become one of the top NFL Draft prospects at his position.
He and Rotheram played a major role in a Panthers rushing attack that ranks No. 14 in the nation (251.3 yards per game).
The Pitt offensive line had some major question marks coming into the season, but they answered those questions in a positive way. Pitt ranks No. 12 nationally in fewest tackles for loss allowed (4.42 per game) and allowed just 20 sacks this season, after allowing 43 last year.
Rotheram, a senior, leads Pitt with 39 career starts.
The ACC offensive, defensive and overall players of the year Wednesday.
Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
