Another day, another round of accolades and nominations for the Pitt Football program.
Quarterback Kenny Pickett, who was named a Heisman Trophy finalist on Monday, has won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award.
It is the first time the award has been won by a Panther.
Pickett will be honored by John Unitas Jr., President of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Education Foundation this Friday in Baltimore.
"There were many who were worthy of this consideration, but there was only one who stood above the rest," Unitas Jr. said in a video announcing Pickett as the winner. "Throughout this year, you have demonstrated the values for which this award stands both on and off the field, attributes that my dad, Johnny Unitas, would have admired greatly."
"To receive an award named after the legendary Johnny Unitas is just an incredible honor," Pickett said. "I know the high standards he set, both as a quarterback and as a leader. Certainly I'll always strive to uphold those standards and represent this award the best I can. I want to thank Mr.
Unitas Jr., the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation and A.O. Smith.
As always, I accept this award on behalf of my teammates and coaches who made this all possible."
Last week Pickett was named the ACC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year.
In addition, head coach Pat Narduzzi has been named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award.
That announcement also came Tuesday and was made by the Football Writers Association of America and Allstate Sugar Bowl.
Narduzzi led the Panthers to their first-ever ACC Championship this past weekend with a 45-21 victory against Wake Forest and an overall 11-2 record
Pitt was also ranked #12 in the final College Football Playoff rating, the highest in school history since the playoff system began.
Pitt's 11 wins is also the most since 1981 when Dan Marino led the Panthers to an 11-1 record.
