Panthers Place Nine on 2016 Coaches All-ACC Team

PITTSBURGH—Nine Pitt players, including four offensive linemen, were honored on the 2016 Coaches All-ACC Football Team, which was released on Thursday afternoon.

After voting from the league's head coaches was tallied, the Panthers had five players earn first-team All-ACC honors: junior running back James Conner, sophomore return specialist Quadree Henderson, senior offensive guard Dorian Johnson, senior offensive tackle Adam Bisnowaty and senior defensive end Ejuan Price.

Conner, Henderson, Johnson and Price were also first team All-ACC in the media's voting that was announced last week, but Bisnowaty garnered more coaches' votes to earn his place on their first-team All-ACC unit after the ACSMA had placed the senior tackle on the conference's second team.

Sophomore offensive tackle Brian O'Neill and sophomore safety Jordan Whitehead also earned second team All-ACC from the coaches' votes, with O'Neill improving on his third-team selection from the league's media. And two more Panthers, senior placekicker Chris Blewitt and sophomore offensive guard Alex Bookser received enough votes to be named as Honorable Mention selections. Henderson also received an Honorable Mention nod as a wide receiver.

Conner (Erie, Pa./McDowell) heroically overcame both a knee injury and Hodgkin lymphoma to return to the field this season. The bruising back has rushed for 1,060 yards and 16 touchdowns on 208 carries (5.1 avg.). His 20 total touchdowns rank second in the ACC (trailing only Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson's 21) and sixth nationally.

Conner, who received a vote from one coach for ACC Player of the Year, also set ACC career marks for total touchdowns (56) and rushing TDs (52).

Henderson (Wilmington, Del./Alexis I. du Pont) has four returns for touchdowns this season, including a nation-leading three on kickoffs. He ranks second in the country in combined kick return yards (1,121), fifth in kickoff return average (31.1) and 11th in all-purpose yards per game (159.75).

Price (Rankin, Pa./Woodland Hills) is one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in college football. He leads the nation in tackles for loss (1.8 per game) and ranks sixth in sacks (1.0 per game). Incredibly, half of his 42 tackles this season have been behind the line of scrimmage. Price, who earned three votes from coaches for 2016 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, has compiled 21 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 13 QB hurries, three forced fumbles and a blocked extra point.

The honored offensive line group of Johnson (Belle Vernon, Pa./Belle Vernon Area), Bisnowaty (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel), O'Neill (Wilmington, Del./Salesianum) and Bookser (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon) has helped Pitt's offense produce at an historic rate this season.

The Panthers have compiled the highest season point total in school history (508). With a bowl game to go, the Panthers are averaging 42.3 points per game, which would eclipse the all-time Pitt record of 40.7 set way back in 1904. Additionally, Pitt's offensive front has paved the way to 447.5 yards per game, which would be the second highest average in school history.

Furthermore, Pitt has surrendered just nine sacks this year, an average of 0.75 per game, which leads the ACC and ranks third nationally.

Whitehead (Aliquippa, Pa./Central Valley) has been one of Pitt's most active defenders despite missing three games this season. He has compiled 65 tackles, a 59-yard interception return for a touchdown (at Virginia) and a nine-yard fumble return (against Penn State).

Blewitt (Alexandria, Va./West Potomac) became Pitt's all-time leader in kick scoring (357) and field goals (54) this season. He is Pitt's second-leading overall scorer this season with 90 points (9-of-15 field goals and 63-of-66 PATs). His dramatic 48-yard field goal with six seconds left provided the winning points in Pitt's 43-42 upset of No. 2 Clemson earlier this month.

Pitt, ranked No. 22 in the Associated Press poll and No. 23 in the final College Football Playoff rankings, finished the regular season with an 8-4 overall record and 5-3 in the ACC. The Panthers accepted an invitation to play Northwestern of the Big Ten Conference in the 2016 New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York City on Dec. 28 at 2 p.m.

Game tickets in Pitt's allotment are available starting at only $55 and can be purchased by visiting www.PittsburghPanthers.com/BowlTickets. Fans are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets directly through Pitt.

Hotel Packages are available for Pitt alumni, students and fans through PrimeSport, the official fan travel partners of Pitt Athletics and Pitt Alumni Association. Visit PittPanthersSportsTravel.com to reserve your official Hotel Package.

2016 PITT ALL-ACC HONOREES (Coaches)

First Team

OT Adam Bisnowaty*

RB James Conner#

OG Dorian Johnson*
SP Quadree Henderson
DE Ejuan Price*

Second Team
OT Brian O'Neill
SS Jordan Whitehead*

Honorable Mention

OG Alex Bookser

WR Quadree Henderson
PK Chris Blewitt

*2015 All-ACC honoree
#2014 All-ACC honoree

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