For IMMEDIATE Release Nov. 3, 2014 PITT’S JAMES CONNER NAMED MAXWELL AWARD SEMIFINALIST PITTSBURGH—The nation’s leading rusher, Pitt sophomore running back James Conner has been named a semifinalist for the prestigious Maxwell Award, presented annually to college football’s player of the year. Conner is one of only two sophomores on the 20-player list. Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, last year’s Heisman Trophy winner, is the other. Displaying a physical brand of running not seen at Pitt since Craig Ironhead Heyward in the 1980s, Conner leads the country in rushing with 1,342 yards. He ranks third nationally with 17 rushing touchdowns. Conner’s 1,342 rushing yards are the third most after nine games in Pitt history. He trails only the legendary Tony Dorsett, who had 1,525 yards through the opening nine games of his senior season in 1976 (the year Dorsett won the Maxwell Award and Heisman Trophy) and 1,348 as a freshman in 1973. While Conner trails Dorsett, he is still outpacing such former Pitt standouts as LeSean McCoy, Curtis Martin, Dion Lewis and Heyward. This past weekend, Conner rumbled for a career-high 263 yards and three touchdowns on 38 carries (6.9 avg.) against Duke. Conner was not stopped behind the line of scrimmage the entire game. His rushing yardage against Duke is the most by a player in a “Power 5” conference this year. VIDEO LINK: Conner’s highlights against Duke Said Duke head coach David Cutcliffe, “I have to say that James Conner is a special football player.” ESPNU color analyst John Congemi, a former Pitt quarterback, added “This guy is amazing.” Three finalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced on November 24. The winner will be announced on ESPN’s Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 11. —PITT—
Posted on: Mon, 03 Nov 2014 16:14:31 +0000