University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Sanford Jr., Ferguson Jr. Earn ACC Weekly Honors
9/21/2026 2:00:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Pitt linebacker Alex Sanford Jr. and running back Damon Ferguson Jr. earned Atlantic Coast Conference Football Player of the Week honors for their performances in the Panthers' 27-13 victory over Syracuse.
Sanford was named ACC Linebacker of the Week, while Ferguson earned ACC Rookie of the Week recognition after helping Pitt improve to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
Sanford matched his career high with 11 tackles and established a career high with 2.5 tackles for loss, leading all players in both categories against the Orange. He also contributed three quarterback hurries as the Panthers limited Syracuse to one touchdown and just three second-half points.
Sanford led all ACC linebackers in tackles for loss for the week and ranked second in tackles. He was the conference's only linebacker to record double-digit tackles and more than two tackles for loss. His performance helped Pitt total eight tackles for loss.
Through three games, Sanford leads the Panthers with 3.5 tackles for loss and ranks third with 16 tackles. Pitt is allowing just 11.3 points per game and has not surrendered a point in the first or third quarter this season.
Ferguson recorded his first career 100-yard rushing game in his second collegiate start, gaining 102 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. The true freshman averaged 10.2 yards per attempt, highlighted by a 32-yard touchdown run that gave Pitt a 14-0 lead in the second quarter.
Ferguson opened the second half with consecutive runs of 18 and 33 yards, accounting for 51 yards on a four-play, 76-yard touchdown drive that extended the Panthers' advantage to 24-10. He added two receptions to finish with 104 yards from scrimmage, helping Pitt rush for a season-high 245 yards.
Ferguson led all ACC true freshmen in rushing for the week and ranked fourth nationally among FBS true freshmen. He was the only ACC true freshman to reach 100 rushing yards, with the next-highest total at 27.
Through three games, Ferguson leads Pitt in rushing yards (183), all-purpose yards (234) and touchdowns (three). He is averaging 5.1 yards per carry and has added eight receptions for 51 yards. Ferguson has scored a touchdown in each of his first three collegiate games, totaling two rushing scores and one receiving touchdown.
