University of Pittsburgh Athletics
11/2/2026 2:00:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Freshman running back Damon Ferguson Jr. has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Week following his career-best performance in the Panthers' bowl-clinching 34-11 victory over Georgia Tech.
Ferguson led all ACC players and all FBS freshmen with 185 rushing yards, the sixth-highest total nationally for the week. He surpassed the next-highest ACC performance by 46 yards and the next-highest FBS freshman effort by 62 yards.
The Gwynn Oak, Md., native established career highs with 185 yards, 31 carries and two rushing touchdowns, averaging 6.0 yards per attempt. He added an 11-yard reception to finish with a game-high 196 all-purpose yards.
Ferguson gained 112 yards in the first half as Pitt built a 17-3 halftime lead. He scored the Panthers' first touchdown on a three-yard run early in the second quarter and added a one-yard touchdown in the fourth to cap the scoring.
His 185 rushing yards were the most by a Panther since Ja'Kyrian Turner gained 201 at Georgia Tech on November 22, 2025. Ferguson accounted for nearly two-thirds of Pitt's season-high 281 rushing yards, helping the Panthers produce their highest rushing total since December 2024.
It marked Ferguson's third 100-yard rushing game of the season, joining his performances against Syracuse (102 yards) and Boston College (119). Over Pitt's past three games, he has rushed for 343 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 6.0 yards per carry.
Through nine games, Ferguson leads the Panthers with 662 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.
