Brian O'Neill Wins the Piesman Trophy
12/9/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
NEW YORK CITY—Brian O'Neill is bringing the Piesman Trophy back to Pittsburgh.
The sophomore Pitt offensive tackle was named the 2016 Piesman Trophy winner Friday evening at a ceremony hosted by SB Nation at the Roxy Hotel in the Big Apple, edging his fellow finalists, defensive tackle Vincent Taylor of Oklahoma State and offensive lineman Kolton Koch of Monmouth College.
"All of the credit for me winning this award goes to my offensive line teammates, Coach [Matt] Canada for calling awesome plays for me and Coach [Dave] Bucar and Coach [John] Peterson for working with the offensive line each day in practice to make us the best that we can be," O'Neill said after becoming the second Piesman Trophy winner in the relatively new history of the award that honors college football linemen for doing un-lineman things with the ball.
O'Neill, who actually scored two touchdowns this season, received the award for his 24-yard TD run on a designed lateral pass from Pitt quarterback Nathan Peterman in the first quarter of the Panthers' 37-34 victory over Georgia Tech on Oct. 8 at Heinz Field. Pitt's Piesman Trophy winner also had a 5-yard scoring run on a unique offensive tackle reverse to O'Neill against Virginia Tech on Oct. 27.
"I want to thank SB Nation for inviting all three finalists up to New York City this weekend. They put on a great event tonight," O'Neill added. "SB Nation provided first-class hospitality throughout the weekend. I think it's great for big guys everywhere in college football to have their athleticism and ability to make plays recognized with an award like this. I can't wait to come back to New York for our bowl game!"
O'Neill and the Panthers will face Northwestern in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 28—right back in New York City. The game, played at iconic Yankee Stadium, will kick off at 2 p.m., and be nationally televised by ESPN.
Pitt enters the postseason with an 8-4 record and boasting Top 25 rankings in the Associated Press poll (No. 22) and College Football Playoff ratings (No. 23).
#H2P | Twitter | Instagram?
The sophomore Pitt offensive tackle was named the 2016 Piesman Trophy winner Friday evening at a ceremony hosted by SB Nation at the Roxy Hotel in the Big Apple, edging his fellow finalists, defensive tackle Vincent Taylor of Oklahoma State and offensive lineman Kolton Koch of Monmouth College.
"All of the credit for me winning this award goes to my offensive line teammates, Coach [Matt] Canada for calling awesome plays for me and Coach [Dave] Bucar and Coach [John] Peterson for working with the offensive line each day in practice to make us the best that we can be," O'Neill said after becoming the second Piesman Trophy winner in the relatively new history of the award that honors college football linemen for doing un-lineman things with the ball.
O'Neill, who actually scored two touchdowns this season, received the award for his 24-yard TD run on a designed lateral pass from Pitt quarterback Nathan Peterman in the first quarter of the Panthers' 37-34 victory over Georgia Tech on Oct. 8 at Heinz Field. Pitt's Piesman Trophy winner also had a 5-yard scoring run on a unique offensive tackle reverse to O'Neill against Virginia Tech on Oct. 27.
"I want to thank SB Nation for inviting all three finalists up to New York City this weekend. They put on a great event tonight," O'Neill added. "SB Nation provided first-class hospitality throughout the weekend. I think it's great for big guys everywhere in college football to have their athleticism and ability to make plays recognized with an award like this. I can't wait to come back to New York for our bowl game!"
O'Neill and the Panthers will face Northwestern in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 28—right back in New York City. The game, played at iconic Yankee Stadium, will kick off at 2 p.m., and be nationally televised by ESPN.
Pitt enters the postseason with an 8-4 record and boasting Top 25 rankings in the Associated Press poll (No. 22) and College Football Playoff ratings (No. 23).
#H2P | Twitter | Instagram?
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