DICKERSON NAMED JOHN MACKEY AWARD SEMIFINALIST
11/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 16, 2009
PITTSBURGH--University of Pittsburgh senior Dorin Dickerson has been named a semifinalist for the prestigious John Mackey Award, annually presented to the nation's top tight end by the Nassau County Sports Commission.
Dickerson (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny) was one of eight semifinalists selected by a vote of the John Mackey Selection Committee. The other players include Ed Dickson (SR, Oregon), Aaron Hernandez (JR, Florida), Anthony McCoy (SR, USC), Tony Moeaki (SR, Iowa), Dennis Pitta (SR, BYU), Kyle Rudolph (SO, Notre Dame) and Cody Slate (SR, Marshall).
Dickerson ranks No. 1 among the nation's tight ends in touchdown catches (10). The next closest tight end has only eight TDs.
His 10 touchdowns established a new single-season Pitt record for a tight end, eclipsing the prior mark of nine set by Kris Wilson in 2003. (Wilson, now a member of the San Diego Chargers, was a Mackey Award finalist that year.)
With two regular-season games remaining, Dickerson has 43 total receptions for 496 yards (11.5 avg.).
Earlier this season, Dickerson was selected the "John Mackey Tight End of the Week" for his performance in the Panthers' 37-10 victory over Syracuse. He had a career-high 118 receiving yards on seven receptions (16.9 avg.) with a touchdown catch to help lead Pitt past the Orange.
The Nassau County Sports Commission will announce the finalists for the John Mackey Award on Nov. 23. The winner will be announced at the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show on Dec. 10. For additional information on the John Mackey Award, please visit www.johnmackeyaward.org or www.nassausports.org.
Ranked No. 8 by The Associated Press and No. 9 in the USA Today coaches poll, Pitt has its highest November rankings since 1982. The Panthers moved up to ninth in this week's Bowl Championship Series ratings, their highest BCS listing ever.
Pitt achieved its lofty rankings after winning six consecutive games to improve to 9-1 on the year, its best start since the 1982 Panthers, led by quarterback Dan Marino, also started 9-1.
The Panthers have a bye this week before putting their undefeated Big East record (5-0) on the line at West Virginia (7-3, 3-2) on Nov. 27. Pitt will conclude its regular season against Cincinnati (10-0, 6-0) at Heinz Field on Dec. 5.
The game against the Bearcats, rated fifth in this week's BCS standings, will decide the winner of the 2009 Big East championship and resultant Bowl Championship Series berth.
To purchase tickets for the Pitt-Cincinnati game, log on to www.PittsburghPanthers.com or call the Pitt Ticket Office at (800) 643-PITT.
--30--