Pitt running back Qadree Ollison earned the third ACC weekly honor of his career and safety Damar Hamlin garnered his first for their efforts against Syracuse.
The conference singles out players at nine positions every week.
Ollison, who was conference rookie of the week twice in 2015, rushed for 192 yards and a touchdown, and Hamlin recorded a career-high 14 tackles while helping hold the Orange to their lowest passing total of the season (195 yards).
Making history?
Ollison is approaching two all-time Pitt rushing lists. With 596 yards this season, he needs 404 in the final six or seven games to join Tony Dorsett, Curvin Richards, LeSean McCoy, Dion Lewis and James Conner as the only Pitt backs with multiple 1,000-yard seasons.
He also is only 402 short of passing Pro Football Hall of Famer Curtis Martin for 1oth place on Pitt’s all-time career rushing list.
Why not Alex?
Kicker Alex Kessman did not win ACC specialist of the week, despite booting field goals of 55, 54 and 45 yards, the latter with Pitt trailing by three and eight seconds left in the fourth quarter.
That honor went to Florida State’s D.J. Matthews, who returned four punts for 145 yards, including a 74-yard touchdown, against Miami. His 145 yards are one off the most in a game for any player this season.
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Jerry DiPaola is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jerry at jdipaola@tribweb.com or via Twitter @JDiPaola_Trib.
