University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Heintschel Earns Maxwell, Davey O’Brien National Weekly Honors
9/9/2026 12:00:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Sophomore quarterback Mason Heintschel has been named the Maxwell Award Player of the Weekand the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback of the Week following his historic performance in the Panthers' 59-14 season-opening victory over Miami (Ohio).
Heintschel completed 31-of-41 passes (75.6%) for 453 yards and seven touchdowns without an interception. His seven touchdown passes tied Pitt's single-game record and established an Atlantic Coast Conference single-game mark.
The performance made Heintschel the first FBS quarterback since LSU's Joe Burrow in 2019 to pass for at least 450 yards and seven touchdowns without an interception. His 224.76 passer-efficiency rating ranked second among qualifying ACC quarterbacks for the opening week.
Heintschel led the ACC in passing yards, touchdown passes, completions and total offense. His 453 passing yards were 23 more than the conference's next-highest total, while his seven touchdown passes and seven touchdowns responsible for each led the ACC by two.
The Oregon, Ohio, native added 23 rushing yards to finish with 476 yards of total offense, 13 more than any other ACC player, and 73.7% of Pitt's 646-yard output.
Heintschel distributed his seven touchdown passes among seven different receivers, making Pitt the first FBS team since Western Kentucky in 2022 to have seven players catch a touchdown pass in the same game.
Behind Heintschel, the Panthers led the ACC during the opening week with 646 yards of total offense and 480 passing yards. Pitt also paced the conference with seven touchdown passes, 34 completions and 21 passing first downs while ranking second with 8.61 yards per play.
The Maxwell Award Player of the Week recognizes the nation's top weekly performance. The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback of the Week is selected from the award's weekly Great 8 honorees.
The two national awards add to Heintschel's growing list of recognition. He was also named the ACC Quarterback of the Week and selected among the Manning Award's Eight Stars of the Week.
Pitt returns to action Saturday against UCF at Acrisure Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
